SPEAKING

PART 1
A. SCHOOLS/SUBJECTS
I. Collocations and idioms
Phrases Meaning Example
with flying colours with a very high mark
(idiom)
to fulfill (=achieve) one’s
dream/ambition
to set an
attainable/achievable goal
to win a scholarship
to be a straight-A student
tertiary education education at college or
university level = post-
secondary/third-
level/higher education
core subjects
to sign up for/ enroll on …
course(s)
to meet the entry
requirements for
university entrance
to have an inborn/natural
talent for
to have a great thirst for to have a strong desire
knowledge for knowledge
to gain/acquire profound/
intimate/first-hand
knowledge of
to exert one’s best efforts to try one’s best
to have/pursue a
(great/life-long) passion
for = to be passionate
about

WEEK 1 Adv
 SPEAKING
II. Essential structures:
a. I have studied … at … for … year(s)/ since …
b. I studied … at … before graduating from it in …
c. I learned a lot from many teachers but … is the one that gave me the deepest
impression/ that I enjoyed being taught since …
d. I had a great passion for …
e. If my memory serves me right, I think …
f. There is nothing much to say about the difference because … but I believe the
major one is …
g. I would say there are many differences … The notable one is …

III. Practice:
1. Which school do/did you go to?
2. Who was your favorite teacher in high school?
3. What was your favorite subject in high school?
4. Do you still remember what happened on your first day of high school?
5. What are the differences between your school and other schools?

WEEK 1 Adv
 SPEAKING
B. JOBS
I. Collocations and idioms
Phrases Meaning Example
to earn/make a to earn enough to eat
(good/decent) living
aspect(s) of the job
a menial (=unimportant,
boring and badly paid)
task
a daunting (=making
somebody feel nervous
and less confident) task
a repetitive/ monotonous
(=boring) task
to have a nine-to-five job
to have a substantial to have a heavy
volume of work workload
to be up to ears in (idiom, to have a lot of
informal) something to deal with
to have a hectic (=very
busy) schedule
to meet deadlines to finish work on time,
by the agreed date
to be under a lot of
pressure
to put up with to tolerate
to throw a sickie to take a day off work
(informal) pretending to be sick
to fit the job description
to build up a network of
contacts
to realize one’s potential
to hone/master a skill of st to improve/learn
completely a skill
to gain hands-on
(=practical) experience
to get a very tempting
(=attractive) offer

WEEK 1 Adv
 SPEAKING
to move up the career to be promoted
ladder
to earn handsome/
lucrative income
to take priority over to be more important
to sb than
to stay the course (idiom) to continue doing st
until you achieve it
to pursue one’s career path
to set up/start/run a
business/company
to be self-employed to be one’s own boss =
to work for oneself
to lay off staff to dismiss staff
because of no work
for them

II. Essential structures:

III. Practice:
1. Do you have a job right now? Do you enjoy your job?
2. What responsibilities do you have at work?
3. What would you change about your job?
4. What job do you think you will be doing in five years?
5. What skills and qualifications are required for this job?

WEEK 1 Adv
 SPEAKING
PART 2
a. Describe an ideal job you’d like to do in the future.
You should say:
• what it is.
• how you can get this job.
• what kinds of work you would do for the job.
and explain why you want to have it.
Sample:
Introduction Since I’ve just graduated from university for a couple of years,
I reckon that I still have time to figure out what I really love
doing in the future. Now, although I’m earning a decent living
as an English teacher, I want to be a professional interpreter.
Past When I studied at HCMUE, I majored in English language –
Translation and Interpretation.
Description Of course, my core subjects are related to English linguistics,
but I had to hone my skills in quick response, note-taking and a
wide variety of accents as I tended to work in international fairs
and conferences. I mean I have to work with people from all
over world. Also, there are many kinds of interpretation,
consecutive and simultaneous types, to name just a few.
Opinion From my perspective, this job is not for everyone as it’s a
tough challenge. Not only my mind has to be strong enough to
put up with substantial workload, but it’s a must to have good
physical strength since some aspects of the job require me to
commute to different places within a day. Well, those can be
trained, so I’m not concerned about them. In contrast, I’m
confident in my capability.
Future In the future, if I want to hop from an English teacher to an
English-Vietnamese interpreter, I don’t believe it’s bad idea at
all.

WEEK 1 Adv
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b. Describe a course or subject you would like to take in the future
You should say:
• what course it is (or would be)
• where you would do it
• what you would learn in that course
and explain why you would like to do this course.
Sample:
Introduction I’ve registered so many academic courses related to my field
which is the English language, but I want to make some major
changes this year and intend to enroll on a baking course in the
next few months.
Past As I remember, I used to watch a short video of Rosé (Black
Pink)’s YouTube channel and enjoyed a scene in her baking
class where she made some French pastries. To be honest, I’m a
big fan of Madeleine so when I saw her make this little sponge
cake, I was eager to join a baking workshop. I’ve researched a
few prestigious bakeries on social media to figure out a suitable
option and finally, I chose IdiM HCM baking studio in D7.
Description As far as I know, this studio offers a wide range of workshops
but I’ve seen a Madeleine baking workshop by chance. Then, I
immediately opt for it. In the description, it’s said that
customers will learn some basic ingredients and kitchen
utensils used to make this cake. The price of the course is
affordable and I can take around 20 pieces with two flavors,
honey and tea, back home.
Opinion I believe that this baking workshop will be a healing
experience on my wish list. Also, I can hone some general
cooking skills to become more meticulous and especially,
reinforce my concentration; otherwise, I’ll make a mess. So, I
really look forward to it.
Future After fulfilling this crowning achievement, I think I will
consider some other baking or cooking classes.

WEEK 1 Adv
 SPEAKING
PART 3
SCHOOLS/SUBJECTS JOBS
1. What courses/subjects will be 1. Which jobs would you say are most
helpful in future work? respected in your country?
2. Which one do you think is more 2. What are some of the important
important? Practical skills or academic things a candidate should find out
skills? before accepting a job?
3. What do students do after school in 3. Is money always the most important
your country? thing when choosing a job?
4. Do you think students should choose 4. Do you think women should be able
subjects they like? to do all the same jobs that men do?
5. According to you, what will school 5. Some people say it’s better to work
be like in the future? for yourself than be employed by a
company. What’s your opinion?

=> Point – Reason – Effect – Example (– In contrast)

WEEK 1 Adv