• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Login
  • Contact

Splendid Speaking

Speaking Skills for Learners of English

  • Updates
  • Skills
    • Start Here
    • Functions
    • Grammar
    • Pronunciation
    • Vocabulary
  • Exams
    • FCE (B2: First)
    • CAE (C1: Advanced)
    • CPE (C2: Proficiency)
    • IELTS
    • Cambridge C1: Business Higher (BEC)
  • Podcasts
  • Teachers
  • Courses

Functions

Not sure how to ask for advice, agree of disagree politely, complain or make a request? The lessons below will show you how to to use functional expressions effortlessly!

How to Confirm Understanding

Some useful expressions to make sure you're following someone. If you're being asked questions in an English exam, at work or at university, you need to be able to make sure you understand what the other person has asked you. Practise using some useful expressions from our '5 Minute Functions' video lesson below. This video was made with IELTS students in mind but will be … [Read more...] about How to Confirm Understanding

How to Agree and Disagree

Some useful expressions for conversations and discussions. If you're working with a partner in an English Speaking exam, or taking part in discussions at work or university, you'll want to be able to agree and disagree effectively. This short video from our '5 Minute Functions' series of lessons will help you do just this. Written for IELTS students, but ideal for anyone … [Read more...] about How to Agree and Disagree

How to Express an Opinion

Some useful expressions to express your views. Whether you're taking an English Speaking exam like FCE, CAE or CPE or using English in the workplace or at university, you will often find yourself having to give an opinion. Avoid using 'I think' again and again by learning some alternative phrases. The video below is part of our '5 Minute Functions' series of videos … [Read more...] about How to Express an Opinion

How to Speculate and Hypothesise

A key skill for advanced English speakers. You will be expected to show you can speculate in English if you're taking and advanced Speaking exam like CAE, CPE or IELTS. The same skills will be vital for people using English at work or university. Check out one of our 'Five Minute Functions' video lesson below. Aimed at IELTS students but appropriate for anyone wanting to … [Read more...] about How to Speculate and Hypothesise

Use Fillers to Improve Your Fluency

Short expressions that will help you reduce those pauses. This is another short lesson from our 'Five Minute Functions' series of videos. Avoid hesitating and become more fluent when responding to questions using fillers. Written for IELTS students, but equally useful for anyone wanting to become more fluent in English. Transcript for Using Fillers to Improve … [Read more...] about Use Fillers to Improve Your Fluency

How to Express Likes and Dislikes

And how to avoid repeating 'I like' ... 'I like ...' etc. Welcome to another of our 'Five Minute Functions' video lessons. This was produced for IELTS students but will be equally useful for any student preparing for an English Speaking exam like FCE, CAE or CPE or for anyone facing a situation where they have to talk about themselves in English. … [Read more...] about How to Express Likes and Dislikes

How to Compare and Contrast

You will often be required to compare and contrast things when you are speaking, whether in a conversation, taking an English Speaking exam or using English in the workplace or university. The video below is part of our '5-Minute Functions' series and was written for IELTS students. However, it will be equally useful for you whether you are taking IELTS or not. … [Read more...] about How to Compare and Contrast

Primary Sidebar

Splendid Speaking newsletter

To be alerted to new materials on the website, including promotional information about our products and services, simply fill in your email below for our weekly newsletter.

Get Speaking Task Sheets

Each week we publish a free, printable Get Speaking task sheet to use with the featured interview. For access to all 26 task sheets for use in class or for self study, find out more about Get Speaking.
[Find out more …]

Copyright © 2025 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in