This GEPT lesson gives students plenty of practice speaking using causative verbs and answering questions similar to the GEPT speaking test.

In this lesson students will…

• Complete a running dictation that mimics the independent speaking questions in the GEPT.
• Answer questions using causative verbs.
• Practice speaking about a photograph.

Step 1: Set up the running dictation (Before class)

Before class, print one copy of the “Running Dictation Answers.” Then cut up the answer sheet and stick the answers around the room.

Also print enough copies of the “Running Dictation Worksheet.” Your students will work on the worksheet in pairs, so you need half as many copies as there are students in your class. (For example, if you have 20 students, then you will need 10 worksheet copies.)

You will also need to either print the “GEPT Festival Photo” and questions or be prepared to project it onto the board later in class.

Step 2: Warm Up (5 minutes)

On the board write “What do you like to wear? Why?” Tell students they will have 15 seconds to answer the question. Call on a few students and encourage them each to answer the question completely in under 15 seconds.

Step 3: Explain the running dictation (5 minutes)

Put the students into pairs. Tell one student that they will stay in their seat and write the answers, while their partner will “run,” read the answer, and run back to the writer to tell them the answer. Make sure each team knows who will be writing and who will be reading the answer posted around the room. Also tell students not to shout the answers. You can give the team who finishes first some candy, a high-five, or whatever prize you like.

Step 4: Do the running dictation (10-15 minutes)

Give students time to complete the running dictation. Monitor and make sure that students aren’t shouting the answers. The team who writes down all the answers first wins. You can give the team who finishes first some candy, a high-five, or whatever prize you like.

Step 5: Check the students’ answers (5-10 minutes)

Have students read some of their answers out loud. Correct any pronunciation errors. Now use the answers that the students have written to ask everyone what “makes me, lets me, helps me…” means. Hopefully the students will be able to explain the slight difference between these causative verbs.

The meaning of each is as follows…

• Makes me = forces me
• Lets me = allows me
• Helps me = supports me

Step 6: Students answer the questions (10 minutes)

Direct students attention to the questions on the running dictation. Tell students that they will be saying their own answers in a minute. Tell students that they can use the answers on the running dictation as a guide. Encourage students to use “makes me, lets me, helps me” in their responses.

The teacher can either call on individuals to say their answers out loud or allow students to say their answers to a partner. Either way the teacher should listen carefully for the students’ use of “makes me, lets me, helps me” in their answers.

Note: If you have teenagers who don’t like saying their answers out loud to the teacher, then try calling on one student to answer and then tell him or her to choose a student to answer next. Teens tend to be more motivated to talk if they feel they’ve been chosen by a classmate.

Step 7: Prepare to speak about a photograph (10 minutes)

Either pass out “GEPT Festival Photo” or project the image onto the board. On the whiteboard draw three columns at the top of each column write NOUNS / VERBS / ADJECTIVES.

Ask students to look at the GEPT Festival Photo and brainstorm words that they will need to describe the photo. Have students help you put the words into the three columns on the board.

Step 8: Speak about the photo (5 minutes)

Put students into pairs and have the first person speak for 45 seconds about the photo, answering the questions at the bottom. Then switch and let the second student speak for 45 seconds. As students are speaking, listen and make notes.

Pay particular attention to question number 3 on the GEPT Festival Photo and make sure students are using the grammar that they practiced throughout the lesson to answer the question correctly.

The GEPT Festival Photo questions are…

• What are these people doing?
• What festival do you think this is?
• How does this photo make you feel? Why?
• What else do you see in the picture?

Step 9: Feedback (5 minutes)

Use the last few minutes of class to provide any additional feedback that you think your students need. You can even let a few students talk about that photo out loud to the whole class if you have time.

If you want more GEPT Speaking Lessons, try GEPT Lesson – Improving Independent Speaking.