The course · topic

Exams & study

Speaking tests and campus life. 2 units, 10 lessons, each one played three ways. Topics open the moment your level allows, independent of the main path: pick this one when it is what your week needs.

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Unit 1 of 2 · Elementary and up

The speaking exam

Photos, monologues, follow-ups, partners.You'll learn toDescribe and speculate · Talk for two minutes with structure · Give opinions with examples · Agree and disagree politely
5 lessons

Lesson 1 · 3 min · Prima plays the examiner

Describe the photo

An exam room.

Beginner
A kind examiner. Say what you see: people, place, weather.
Intermediate
An examiner who asks what happens next. Describe, then speculate about what happens next.
Advanced
An examiner who asks about mood and message. Interpret the photo with nuance.
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Lesson 2 · 3 min · Prima plays the examiner

Two minutes on a topic

An exam room, timed.

Beginner
An examiner with a stopwatch. Talk for one minute about your daily routine.
Intermediate
An examiner with a topic card. Two minutes on the topic with a beginning, a middle and an end.
Advanced
An examiner who interrupts with follow-ups. Keep the thread and answer well.
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Lesson 3 · 3 min · Prima plays the examiner

The follow-up questions

The last part of the exam.

Beginner
An examiner with simple questions. Answer three questions about your life.
Intermediate
An examiner who wants opinions. Give opinions with reasons and examples.
Advanced
An examiner who challenges your view. Defend it or concede gracefully.
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Lesson 4 · 3 min · Prima plays another candidate

Agree with your partner

A paired speaking task.

Beginner
A partner who agrees with everything. Choose one of three options together.
Intermediate
A partner with a different view. Discuss the options, agree and disagree politely, decide.
Advanced
A partner who dominates. Take your turns without being rude.
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Lesson 5 · final lesson · 3 min · Prima plays a teacher with questions

Defend your presentation

A classroom.

Beginner
A teacher who is pleased. Say what your presentation was about.
Intermediate
A teacher who asks about method. Answer questions about your method and your sources.
Advanced
A teacher who finds a flaw. Acknowledge it and say what you would change.
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Unit 2 of 2 · Intermediate and up

Campus

Professors, group work, the library.You'll learn toAsk for feedback · Redistribute work fairly · Ask for an extension with a plan · Ask the right questions at a viewing
5 lessons

Lesson 1 · 3 min · Prima plays your professor

Office hours

A professor's office.

Beginner
A patient professor. Ask about one thing you did not understand.
Intermediate
A professor with red ink. Ask for feedback on your draft and how to improve it.
Advanced
A professor who thinks your thesis is weak. Defend the idea or pivot with reasons.
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Lesson 2 · 3 min · Prima plays a teammate who missed the deadline

The group project

A study room.

Beginner
A sorry teammate. Ask when they can send their part.
Intermediate
A teammate with excuses. Redistribute the work fairly and set a date.
Advanced
A teammate who blames you. Keep it about the work and rescue the project.
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Lesson 3 · 3 min · Prima plays the course coordinator

Ask for an extension

A course coordinator's door.

Beginner
A coordinator who says yes. Ask for two more days and say why.
Intermediate
A coordinator who wants a plan. Explain the situation, propose a plan, accept conditions.
Advanced
A coordinator who says rules are rules. Find the exception process or a partial submission.
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Lesson 4 · 3 min · Prima plays the librarian

The library card

The library desk.

Beginner
A friendly librarian. Ask for a card and how many books you can take.
Intermediate
A librarian with a catalogue. Ask about a book on loan, reserve it, ask about fines.
Advanced
A librarian who finds a fine you did not know about. Sort it out and keep your access.
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Lesson 5 · final lesson · 3 min · Prima plays the current tenant

The student flat viewing

A shared flat.

Beginner
A tenant showing the room. Ask about the rent and the room.
Intermediate
A tenant with opinions about the flatmates. Ask about bills, rules and the other flatmates.
Advanced
A tenant hiding that the landlord is difficult. Ask the right questions and read between the lines.
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