Speaking is the hardest skill for most learners, especially when it comes to interacting with others. However, while some students struggle due to the lack of language skills to communicate effectively, others don’t perform well in speaking activities because they don’t know what to talk about or how to keep a conversation going. How can we help them overcome that obstacle? The answer is simple. We can teach them how to ask questions. We can easily engage students in speaking activities using prompt cards. That’s where up2dateSKILLS Speaking Prompt Cards might come in handy.
If you are learning or teaching English, you can also find downloadable educational resources with similar exercises on up2dateSKILLS online stores: up2 and TPT.
How to use up2dateSKILLS Speaking Prompt Cards
Prompt Cards are commonly used in the speaking component of most foreign language exams. If you are not familiar with this process, the following steps will give you an accurate idea of what you can do and achieve using up2dateSKILLS Prompt Cards to boost your students’ speaking skills. Additionally, you can watch our video at the bottom of the page and share it with your students.
(1) Introduce the Activity
Tell students that they will be working in pairs. Explain that they will be speaking to each other.
Here’s a sample of what you can say:
You will work in pairs. You will speak to each other. You have to talk about [mention the topic at the top of the questions prompt card] using these cards [hand out the cards].
(2) Explain How to Use the Prompt Cards
Give precise instructions when you hand out the first set of cards. Students have to understand what they will be talking about and what is expected from each of them. It might be necessary to remind some students that they have to use complete correct questions and answers.
Here’s a sample of what you can say:
You will ask and answer questions.
[Student A], you have a card with some information about [mention the topic at the top of the questions prompt card]. You have to use the information on the card to answer your partner’s questions.
[Student B], you have a card with some words. You don’t know anything about the [mention the topic at the top of the questions prompt card]. You have to find out some information about from your partner. You have to use the words on the card to ask questions.
I will give some time to look at your cards.
(3) Changing Roles
After the students have asked and answered all the questions from the first set of cards, they have to change roles and repeat the activity using a different set of prompt cards. This way, both students get to ask and answer questions. This time, give a question card to student A and an answer card to student B. Because the students are doing this activity for the send time, you don’t need to give many details.
Here’s a sample of what you can say:
Now you are going to change roles. [Student B], here is a card with some information about [mention the topic at the top of the questions prompt card].
[Student A], you don’t know anything about the [mention the topic at the top of the questions prompt card], so ask B some questions about it. Use the words on the card to ask questions.
Speaking Prompt Cards 
Talking About a Museum
English Speaking Practice | English A1-A2
Get all your students to speak with these simple yet effective English Speaking Prompt Cards.
Speaking Prompt Cards Talking About St. Patrick's Day
English Speaking Practice | English A2
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a cultural activity designed to boost your students’ conversational skills.
English Speaking Prompt Cards | Media Library
up2dateSKILLS media selection for students
Speaking Prompt Cards Talking About a Museum
English Speaking Practice | Learn English A1-A2
Do you want to speak English confidently? With this video, you can practice on your own anywhere and improve your speaking skills!
Speaking Prompt Cards Talking About an Art Show
English Speaking Practice | Learn English A1-A2
Do you want to speak English confidently? With this video, you can practice on your own anywhere and improve your speaking skills!
Speaking Prompt Cards | Places to Visit
Content: 2 sets of English Speaking Prompt Cards (PDF)
FREE Worksheet!
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Some final words
Dear fellow teachers and students, I would love to hear your thoughts on the topic. You can share some words in the comment section at the bottom of this page.
