This document outlines speaking activities that can be used in foreign language classes. It describes three main types of speaking activities: individual oral discussions between teacher and student; interactive oral activities like role-plays, debates, and oral presentations done by students; and "lighter" oral games and songs. It provides examples of how to structure individual oral exams, role-plays, debates and oral presentations to gradually develop students' speaking skills and prepare them for external exams. It emphasizes creating an engaging, student-centered approach to practicing speaking in each foreign language class.

1. Speaking Activities in the
Foreign Language Class
Mr. Stéphane Thos

2. MY BACKGROUND
JAKARTA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
THE HIGH SCHOOL MODERN LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
LANGUAGES A: KOREAN, JAPANESE, INDONESIAN, MOTHER
TONGUE
LANGUAGES B: INDONESIAN, FRENCH, SPANISH, JAPANESE,
MANDARIN

3. DESCRIPTION OF SPEAKING ACTIVITIES THAT CAN BE USED
IN THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLASS
THE CONTEXT: LANGUAGES B PROGRAM.
DEPARTMENT POLICY : SPEAKING / LISTENING ACTIVITIES:
30-40 % OF THE GRADE
ACTIVITIES THAT CAN BE USED AT ALL LEVELS. IB AND PRE-IB
CLASSES.
3 MAIN TYPES:
- INDIVIDUAL ORAL: DISCUSSION INVOLVING THE TEACHER
- INTERACTIVE ORAL ACTIVITIES: STUDENTS’ DISCUSSION.
ROLE –PLAY, DEBATE, ORAL PRESENTATION
- “ LIGHTER “ ACTIVITIES: ORAL GAMES, SONGS.

4. UNDERLYING LEARNING
PHILOSOPHY:
- CLASS TIME : STUDENTS CAN
PRACTICE SPEAKING SKILLS.
- IT MAKES CLASS FUN, ENGAGING
- CLASSES SHOULD NOT BE
TEACHER-CENTERED
- A DEPARTMENTAL STRUCTURE TO
TEACH AND GRADE SPEAKING

5. Individual oral
Ultimate goal : prepare
students for a 10 –minute
interview the day of the exam
Gradual approach.
Individual oral done at every
unit test.

6. Approach to
the individual
oral
Each unit has 4 or 5 objectives
Each objective is orally
assessed on the day of the
test.
We always start from a text.
Text-comprehension
Grammar explained

7. Approach to
the Individual
oral
Students write the response to
questions ( communicative
objectives of the unit) on a
worksheet
.They have to re-use the
grammar structures and new
vocabulary when writing
their response
I’m correcting their response
while in class

8. Individual oral
Unit test
Test divided in three parts:
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
An individual oral ( 2 max. 3
students) while other
students take the writing and
reading parts of the test
Discussion about the
questions studied. Expand
Mark students on the spot.

9. Audio-visual
worksheets
-Mac program Pages-
A variation from the
traditional worksheet
Same principle but with an
audio-visual element
Help for practicing
pronunciation.
Or students can just record
themselves by using
Garageband or Quick Time
Player

10. Individual oral
at the IB level
Same principle: a
conversation on a topic.
Difference: an unknown
photograph
Technique studied in class.
Practice in class
An excellent prompt for class
conversations
Are traditions threatened to disappear ?

11. A new type of celebration ?
Football supporters in Marseilles

12. Are children threatened by
advertising ?

13. Are we addicted to medias
?

14. Les Choristes
Describe the main Describe the characters
character and the scene

15. Interactive
oral activities
Again based on the IB exam
Three main types:
- role-play
- debates
- oral presentations
A gradual approach

16. Role-play
Give out the main idea
Exaggeration. Funny.
Give out some vocabulary (
good to learn idioms)
Let students prepare 3 or 4
stages in the scenario
They can’t write the script.
Time their performance:
www.online-stopwatch.com

17. Role-play
Perform in class ( 2 or
Grade immediately
3 max.)

18. Debate
For all levels ( as early as level
2)
A controversial topic.
Start from a text
Divide the class in two
groups
Let them brainstorm their
ideas

19. Debate
Two groups
Mark 4 students max.
Other students give support.
Grade them immediately
Keep the rubrics simple

20. Oral
presentations
A topic that will generate
interest
Based on personal experience
Make sure the class ask
questions by organizing a
game.

21. Oral
presentations
Grade:
- The visual
- The ability to generate
interest
Grade the presentation on the
spot
Informal presentations: let the
students take ownership of
the course..

22. “ Lighter”oral
activities:
games
The principle of competition
Ex. The game of the
Champion
( vocabulary)
Ex: the brainstorm game

23. “Lighter” oral
activities:
songs
Songs perfect to start or finish
a class
www.youtube.com
Lyrics online
Karaoké
Language Clubs

24. Merci !
Mr. Stéphane Thos
sthos@jisedu.or.id