The time limits for the GEPT test can be difficult for some students.. Some students might speak too little and some might speak way too much. Use this lesson to practice speaking within the GEPT speaking test time limits.

Prepare before class:

Before class print the “GEPT Speaking Time Limits” worksheet. Cut up the worksheet and tape a question onto each students’ desk. These questions will be used in Step 3.

Step 1: Warm-up (5 minutes)

Write this question on the board, “How often do you play sports? Why?”

Call on several students to answer the question.

Step 2: Vocabulary (5 minutes)

Review the following vocabulary words with the students: responsibility, politician, take care of, social media, hobbies. Ask students to use the words in sentences, offer definitions, and pronounce the words.

Step 3: Answer the independent questions (15-20 minutes)

Point out the questions that have been taped to the students’ desks. Let the students know that they will be answering these questions in pairs. They’ll have 15 seconds to answer each question. That means that each students must think quickly and answer without too much hesitation.

Important reminders for students:

Other important things to remind students is that they cannot answer questions with a simple “yes” or “no.” Students must always explain their answers. Remind them to use “because” if they’re unsure of what else to say. For example, “What did you do on the weekend?” can be answered with, “I slept because I am always tired after a long week at school.”

Also remind students that they should try not to use boring adjectives, like “good” or “interesting.” For example, “I slept because it is interesting” isn’t a good answer, but “I slept because it is refreshing.” is a better answer.

Now that students know how to answer the questions, split them into pairs and put a 15 second timer on the board. Let one of the pair answer their question. Then tell students that the other person will answer. Restart the timer and let the other partner answer.

Finally have students switch partners and go sit at new tables. When everyone has a new partner, repeat the process, letting each student answer a question for 15 seconds.

Now change the timer to 30 seconds.

When everyone in the room has switched partners and questions several times, change the timer on the board. This time put 30 seconds. In the GEPT speaking exam, the last 5 questions of the independent speaking task must be answered in 30 seconds and not 15 seconds, so this will provide students with the chance to speak for longer.

Repeat until everyone in the room has switched partners and questions multiple times. The teacher should be sure to listen to students’ answers and offer corrections when necessary.

Step 4: Answer questions in front of the class (10 minutes)

Have students carefully pull the questions off of their desks and pass the questions back to you.

Now hold all of the questions in your hand, choose a student, and ask them to choose one question from you without peeking. That student now must answer that question out loud in front of the class (in under 15 seconds). This gives the teacher a chance to listen to individual students answer the questions, and it gives students the chance to answer the questions in a more high pressure situation.

Let as many students answer the questions as possible.

Step 5: Feedback (5-10 minutes)

Now spend some time correcting any mistakes that the teacher heard (especially mistakes that multiple students made). The teacher can write the mistakes on the board and have students try to correct the errors themselves. Also be sure to correct any pronunciation mistakes by pronouncing the word(s) correctly as a class.

Step 6: Talk about the image (10 minutes)

Finally with the time left practice talking about what students see in an image for 45 seconds, which is the 4th part of the GEPT speaking test (for intermediate students only!).

Project the following image onto the board and ask students to tell you what they see in the image. Write the vocabulary words that the students offer onto the board.

Then let students speak for 45 seconds about the image, including answering the following questions.

1. Where are these people?

2. What are they doing? How do they feel?

3. What else do you see in the picture?

The teacher should be sure to listen and provide feedback on grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary use.

That’s all!

Hopefully your students are better prepared to speak within the GEPT speaking time limits. If your students need more practice, try How to Improve Students’ GEPT Speaking (Stronger Adjectives!) – 1 Hour.