Speaking part suggestions:
KNOW ALL QUESTION WORDS!!
Who From where At what time What Why How Where Which How much To where When How many
Know the following starter phrases: I’d like...( 2 ways) The problem is that.... Could you help me (with....)?
I want... How may I help you? I have just....
Where is/ are...? Thanks for your help. I lost....
I know that... He/she said... What can I do?
I don’t know, but... You’re very kind. I need to find...
Do you know if.... I need help (with...) I have to look for....
I have a problem. The truth is that… I don’t know, but…
Some common helpful words: also, too Me, too. Good idea! similar gift/present perhaps, maybe same things cheap expensive
What a shame How great! Repeat, please.
To help make sure you get checkpoint B level, use these conjunctions: because but
Filler expressions:
Excuse me. What a ______/ How ______(Qué Hey/ Listen. followed by an adjective or a noun) Look, It’s all the same to me/ I don’t care. Me Of course da igual.
If you want a chance to “rewind” because you don’t like how you started, simply say “No,” then start over. Checkpoint B: What is it and why do I want it?
After you have read the "Spanish III speaking part suggestions.doc", remind yourself that you must achieve checkpoint B level Spanish in order to get enough points. The speaking part is out of a total of 24 points.
The speaking part for the Regents consists of two dialogues based on a given situation. For each dialogue, you will be responsible for 6 lines, and the teacher will be responsible for 6 lines. Each line is worth 2 points and must be at checkpoint B level.
Checkpoint B level means no baby Spanish. Things like "Hi, how are you?", while polite, are not counted as checkpoint B level. One word answers are not enough for Checkpoint B level. Yes or no answers are not enough, either. Just repeating back to me what I said to you- not enough! You need to demonstrate that you learned something in the two years that you continued studying Spanish after your Proficiency exam in 8th grade.
So, how can you know you are using checkpoint B?
Three possibilities:
1. Include two thoughts, ideas, or clauses with each line you say. (Example: "Gracias. Eres muy amable." )
2. Use two conjugated verbs in your line of dialogue. I strongly suggest you use a statement and then a question where possible, as then you have more control over the dialogue. (Example: "Lo siento.Te puedo ayudar?")
3. Use a verb form other than the simple present or present progressive. (Example: Has estado en los Estados Unidos antes?)
Besides Checkpoint B level, you will be judged by this additional criteria:
Comprehensible (If I know no English, can I still understand you?)
Appropriate (Does your statement make sense based on the topic or what was said before?)
Form (An attempt must be made to match adjectives with nouns, verbs with subjects, etc.)
Remember- you get two attempts for each line, with no penalty on the first try.
Sample situations:
The following situations are samples of what you may be faced with when taking the actual speaking part of your Regents. Find a friend and practice coming up with Checkpoint B level ideas. When you are doing these, keep in mind that while with me, you are always yourself!!!! I will be the only one who will have to pretend to be someone I'm not.
A. You are an exchange student in Spain. I am your teacher. You want to change your seat in my class. We talk about it. You start the conversation.
B. You are staying at a hotel in Mexico. I am the hotel clerk. The hotel offers a variety of guided tours. You would like more information about them.
C. I am your neighbor. You are having a problem with my family's pet. You start the conversation.
D. I am a Venezuelan friend. I have been invited to two different parties. I would like you to help me decide what to do.
E. I am a Chilean teenager. You would like to know about family life in a typical Chilean home. You start the conversation.
F. I am your neighbor. I am going on vacation. I want you to do something for me while I am away.