Learning interaction skills
THIS week, we will continue with Paper 2 which focuses on speaking. This paper consists of two tasks: individual presentation and group interaction.
Here, we will try both Task A and Task B which will be carried out consecutively during the exam.
Task A: Individual presentation
You will have two minutes to prepare for the given task and two minutes to present. You are required to listen to the others while they are making their presentations and take down notes for the group interaction.
Situation:
Building a nation is important to one’s country. How can youths contribute towards this?
Candidate A:
In your opinion, one way youths can contribute in building the nation in one’s country is by getting a good education in order to become better citizens of tomorrow. Elaborate on this.
Candidate B:
In your opinion, one way youths can contribute in building the nation in one’s country is by leading their fellow citizens into the right direction. Elaborate on this.
Candidate C:
In your opinion, one way youths can contribute in building the nation in one’s country is by uniting other youths in the various ethnic groups. Elaborate on this.
Candidate D:
In your opinion, one way youths can contribute in building the nation in one’s country is by seeking to participate in government youth schemes or projects. Elaborate on this.
You may answer with any other points, as long as it answers the question. You need to add in more points to speak up to two minutes.
Candidate A:
The primary role of young people is to get a good education in order to become better citizens of tomorrow. They need to learn skills to do the job that their country’s economy needs. Getting a good education will enable one to learn how to read, write, think, understand, analyse, and discuss the issues their country faces. The entire success of the nation depends on youths.
Candidate B:
Youth is the spring of life. They have the power to transform the nation into a better place by leading their fellow citizens into the right direction. Youths are fighters. They fight for an identity in society, equality, the homeless, bullying, unemployment, exploitation, poverty and other problems which the world faces today. All of them hope for a world full of opportunities, so great minds can conquer them and become better individuals. Youths with good morals and values can handle conflicts in a positive way and lead others to do the same.
Candidate C:
Youths have the power to unite individuals in the various ethnic groups. Racism is an ongoing issue around the world. Individuals are fighting against each other because of the complexion of their skin and the texture of their hair. Religion is another issue, that youths can convince their fellow man to live in peace and love. All of us are one and we should not allow these little differences to push us away from each other.
Candidate D:
There can be a large number of schemes, projects and programmes where involvement of the youth would bring quicker and better results. Youths can play a pivotal role in the socio-economic reconstruction of the society. There may be schemes connected with the raising of the levels of production in agriculture. The youth may be assigned the job of dissemination of scientific knowledge for better farming, new techniques and proper usage of fertilisers and pesticides.
Task B: Group interaction
For the group interaction (four to a group), you will be given two minutes to prepare points to support or oppose views. After listening to everyone in the group, you will try to come to a consensus or collective agreement. The group will be given 10 minutes for discussion.
Sample question:
Discuss which one of the following is the most effective way youths can contribute in building the nation in one’s country
(i) by getting a good education
(ii) by leading their fellow citizens into the right direction
(iii) by uniting other youths in the various ethnic groups
(iv) by seeking to participate in government youth schemes or projects Here are some suggested phrases and how a discussion may look like. Do add on more to complete about 10 minutes of discussion.
B: Good morning once again to everyone. We are here to focus on the issue at hand which is to look for the most effective way to contribute in building our nation. I would like to invite anyone of you to begin this discussion.
A: Allow me to begin. The best way to strengthen our youths is to provide them education. Not just any kind of education, but the right kind of education which makes them scientific, logical, open-minded, have self-respect, responsible, honest and patriotic. We must become the change we want to see.
B: I see your point but the most impounding problem youths are facing at present is frustration. The frustration as a result of massive problems is increasing day by day. Unemployment is a multi-dimensional and complex issue which starts a fierce circle of associated problems like involvement in politics, bank and household burglaries, social insecurity, lawlessness and the use of drugs. Youths can actually contribute by leading their fellow citizens into the right direction.
D: I don’t quite agree with you totally because it is difficult to lead others. I agree that youths are problem solvers, have a positive influence on other young people and the nation, and are extremely ambitious. They have the ability to create an identity for themselves and move the nation forward. However, they will not be able to do this without the support of their government and fellow youths. So, the best way youths can get involved is by participating or working hand in hand with government projects. Does anyone agree with me?
A: Yes, I agree with you. I was thinking of youths as having profound positive influence on their peers. They have the power to transform their nation into a better place. But first, they must get proper and complete education.
C: Racism is an ongoing issue around the world. Engaging with issues regarding race and racism are critical in the fight for social peace. If we’re going to be serious about ending racism, we have to get serious about educating young minds about what racism is, how it manifests and from where it comes. When the people do not live in harmony, how do we build a strong nation?
B: Indeed, I do see your point of view and thus it is the very reason why we need to encourage youths to lead or help others to walk the right path. Youth is that period in which revolutionary thoughts spring to mind and these thoughts shape the world we live in.
D: That’s an interesting perspective and I agree with you. Youths seems to have a positive influence on their fellow young people. They are able to teach them the positive things in life. The ones whom are destroying their future, they tend to listen to their fellow youths. They will make them understand the importance of a good education.
C: I’m not sure I understand what you are saying. Can you explain it again, please? D: What I mean is we should have good education and also be able to lead others. But, we will not be able to do all these on our own. We should participate in government schemes so that there is a channel for us to contribute.
A: Aaah. I see. Yes, I think...
B: That’s a good point...
C: I agree with you, candidate B.
D: Now that you’ve explained it like that, I also agree that it...
A: As for me, I feel that is the best way... C: That’s right. Well, after listening to all the points on the choices we have, I think it is time to make a
conclusion.
D: Yes, I think so too. Does everyone agree with that...?
All: Yes, I agree. B: In a nutshell, we all agree that the best way to contribute to nation building is by being equipped with
a good education. Thank you.
Other options to conclude:
(i) In conclusion, we were unable to make a solid decision because some of us strongly believe that the best way to contribute to nation building is by getting a good education while the rest of us think that seeking to participate in government youth schemes or projects is the best way because then there will be an avenue where we can actively contribute. Thank you.
(ii In a nutshell, we were unable to come to an agreement on which of the four options is the best choice. It seems all of us strongly believe in our own points. Thank you.
(iii) We were unable to come to an agreement on which of the four options is the best choice. It seems all of us strongly believe in our own points that we have run out of time. We think that we should each contribute in our own way.