Conversation
A conversation in two parts: the topic you chose, which you open yourself, then a second theme.
Learn
Conversation, explained point by point
Everything the GCSE specification expects you to be able to do, and how to actually do it - the same lesson a signed-in student studies from.
Know how the conversation works and is marked
The conversation is the last and biggest speaking task, worth 36 marks: 12 for communication and content, 12 for interaction and spontaneity and 12 for accuracy. It lasts 3.5 to 4.5 minutes at Foundation and 5 to 6 minutes at Higher, in two parts of equal length. Part 1 starts with a topic you chose and Part 2 is on a different theme. You need the past, the present and the future, and you can't use notes.
Choose your topic and prepare an opening
You pick one topic from a theme and agree it with your teacher at least two weeks before the test. You can open by saying which parts of it you will talk about, then speak for up to a minute. After that the teacher may move to other topics in the same theme, so prepare around the whole theme.
Develop your answers
Take each answer beyond the question with a reason, an example, an opinion or another time frame: 日本語の じゅぎょうが すきです。 先生が おもしろいですから。 らいねんも べんきょうしたいです。 Longer, linked answers help in all three mark grids.
Move between past, present and future
Plan how each topic can stretch across time: 小さい 時、 よく 山に 行きました。 今は 町に すんでいます。 しょうらい 日本で はたらきたいです。 Every topic you talk about is a chance to use all three.
Interact naturally
The interaction marks reward answering spontaneously and moving the conversation on. Ask the teacher a question back, such as 先生は どうですか。, and react to what they say with そうですね or ほんとうですか.
Keep going when you get stuck
If you don't understand, ask: すみません、 もういちど おねがいします。 If you can't find a word, say it another way or use one you know. These repair strategies are rewarded, while silence earns nothing.
Sound spontaneous, not rehearsed
Learn ideas and useful phrases rather than a script. Answers recited word for word, especially ones that don't quite fit the question, score low for spontaneity, so listen to each question and answer that one.
Show Higher structures naturallyHigher only
At Higher, the accuracy grid counts the Higher grammar as complex structures, so work some in where they fit: 〜と思います, 〜し、 〜し, 〜たことが あります, 〜つもりです. Keep the polite style with your teacher, using plain forms only inside a sentence.
Conversation key terms
The words the specification and the mark schemes use, each defined the way an examiner wants it.
- Interaction and spontaneity
- The 12 marks for responding naturally, moving the conversation on and keeping it going.
- Rehearsed language
- Language learned by heart. Recited answers that don't fit the question score low for spontaneity.
- Repair strategy
- A way to keep talking when you are stuck, such as asking for a repeat or saying something another way.
- Chosen topic
- The topic you pick for Part 1, agreed with your teacher at least two weeks before the test.
- Theme
- One of the five broad areas the topics belong to: identity and culture; local area, holiday and travel; school; future aspirations, study and work; and the international and global dimension.
- Extended answer
- An answer of several linked sentences rather than one short one.
- そうですね
- Let me see, or that's right: a natural way to react, or to give yourself a moment to think.
Common mistakes in Conversation
The slips that cost marks year after year, and what to do instead.
Reciting a learned answer that doesn't fit the question.
Listen to the question and pick the parts of your preparation that answer it. Changing a learned sentence to fit shows spontaneity.
Giving short answers and waiting for the next question.
Add at least one more sentence each time: a reason, an example or a different time frame.
Staying in the present for the whole conversation.
Bring in the past (ました) and the future (たいです, or ます with a time word like らいねん) on every topic you can.
Going silent when you don't understand.
Ask for a repeat: すみません、 もういちど おねがいします。 Asking keeps the conversation going, and it is rewarded.
Switching to plain forms with the teacher.Higher only
Keep です and ます at the end of your sentences. Plain forms belong inside them, before と思います or つもりです.