Advanced Speaking Practice
Level: B1
Skill: Speaking
Topic: Ability
Time: 10–15 minutes
exercise 1: used to
Read and follow the chain.
I didn’t use to be able to speak in public, but
I used to be able to play a musical instrument.
You didn’t use to be able to play a musical instrument, but
You used to be able to speak a second language fluently.
He didn’t use to be able to speak a second language fluently, but
He used to be able to write creatively.
She didn’t use to be able to write creatively, but
She used to be able to meditate.
Now continue the chain using all abilities.
speaking in public
playing a musical instrument
speaking a second language fluently
writing creatively
meditating
managing stress
cooking from scratch
reading music
doing mental arithmetic
thinking on my feet
staying organised under pressure
following through on commitments
accepting criticism gracefully
Repeat until it feels natural.
exercise 2: I’ve been trying
Say the statements.
I’ve been trying to improve my public speaking for months.
You’ve been trying to improve your public speaking for years.
He’s been trying to improve his public speaking for a long time.
She’s been trying to improve her public speaking recently.
Now repeat the exercise for all the vocabulary.
speak in public → my public speaking
play a musical instrument → my musical ability
speak a second language fluently → my language fluency
write creatively → my creative writing
meditate → my meditation practice
manage stress well → my stress management
cook from scratch → my cooking
read music → my music reading
do mental arithmetic → my mental arithmetic
think on my feet → my ability to think on my feet
stay organised under pressure → my organisation under pressure
follow through on commitments → my ability to follow through
accept criticism gracefully → my ability to accept criticism
Repeat until it feels natural.
exercise 3: used to – trying
Say the transformation sentences.
I used to be able to speak in public →
I’ve been trying to brush up on my public speaking.
I never used to be able to speak in public →
I’ve been trying to improve my public speaking.
