B2 First Speaking Part 3: Interactive Communication

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In B2 First Speaking Part 3, you and the other student need to discuss the different options of the central theme, described in the mind map or picture. You need to do this for two minutes and show you can pass the discussion back and forth between the two of you giving your opinions and agreeing and disagreeing. After this, you and your partner have one minute to decide which option is best. For both of these tasks, interactive communication is essential.

As you can see from the speaking marking rubric for the B2 First Speaking test, there are 6 parts to your score. The one we’re going to talk about in this article is Interactive Communication.

According to the handbook for the B2 First test, Discourse Management scores the way the candidate speaks, but Interactive Communication is the way a candidate interacts with the other candidate(s). In Part 3, this is particularly important.

Let’s start with something that has nothing to do with speaking.

When you are in the test, you have to listen to the examiner and the other people taking the test. However, you can’t just sit there and look at the wall, or look at your knees, you MUST be present. This means you need to take part even if you aren’t speaking. How can you do this?

Eye contact – When the examiner or the other candidate is speaking, look at them to show that you are listening and paying attention to what they are saying.

Facial expression – Have a suitable facial expression, especially when the other candidate is speaking. Try to show your support and encouragement by smiling, for example.

Nod or shake your head – If the examiner gives you instructions, nod your head to show you understand. Do the same if the other person taking the test says something you agree with. If they say something you disagree with, shake your head.

Now let’s move on and talk about how you can score well for Interactive Communication.

Think about what kind of person you are. Are you shy? Are you aggressive? Are you an introvert or are you an extrovert?

The reason I’m asking is because you should decide before your test whether you are going to be proactive or not. In my opinion, it is always better to be proactive, but I know people who have taken B2 First Speaking Part 3 who have been determined not to be proactive. They also got good scores.

But, it helps a lot to know.

So, what do I mean by being proactive?

I mean, you act in a way that gives you more control during your discussion.

How can you do that?

Starting

At the beginning of the discussion, say something like:

Do you mind if I start?

Is it ok if I start?

Shall I start?

I’ll start if you like.

For many people it is much easier if they do this. They have a feeling of being in control and not immediately responding to what the other person says.

Of course, if you say this at the beginning of part 3, it is only fair that you let the other person start at the beginning of the minute to decide which option is best.

Helping

If the other person is having trouble expressing what they think, then gently help them. You can do this by maybe suggesting a word, if they get stuck, or even just by making encouraging ‘listening noises’ to show that your helping.

Listening noises to show agreement are sounds and words like:

uh huh

mm hmm

that’s right

yes

Another way of helping is to almost give them an answer if they are struggling.

For example:

I think that watching TV is really the most relaxing of all these choices, don’t you agree?

Learning a language would be really useful, wouldn’t it?

Interrupting

Some people just want to speak all the time in a speaking test. It’s understandable, but in this test, you should be able to show that you don’t need to and you can communicate freely without fear.

However, it is always best to prepare what to do if your partner won’t stop speaking.

You can interrupt.

You can do this by saying (when the other person is still speaking)

If I could just say something, please?

Do you mind if I say something here, please?

Could I just interrupt for a second, please?

and then talk about your point in the discussion.

Using ‘please’ makes it much more polite and acceptable.

Interrupting more than once in Part 3 would be unacceptable, however, so you could also make a noise, like giving a little cough.

If you are not proactive, then the main difference would be starting, when you could say:

Would you like to start?

You start

Why don’t you start?

However, you must be careful not to show that you are pushing the person to start when they don’t want to start either.

While practicing B2 First Speaking Part 2 can be done by yourself, Part 3 really needs a partner to get the full benefit of the practice. When you practice with your partner, try some of these points so you know exactly what to do in your speaking test, even if you are not speaking! Good Luck!