Module 08 —Talking Together Accurately
Speaking 3 (discussion task) · Listening 2 recycle · self-correction
PET parts in this lesson · mixed-skill spiral
Why this lesson now? Recycles Speaking 3 and Listening 2 with accuracy focus.
CEFR Pathway · You are here
Get ready · 01
5 minGet talking
Say: 'I goes— I mean, I go to the gym twice a week.' Practise correcting yourself smoothly, without stopping the flow.
Why is self-correction actually a GOOD sign to an examiner, not a bad one?
In the discussion task, do you need to reach the same final decision as your partner?
Grammar for the Exam · 02
8–10 minSelf-correcting smoothly while speaking
Use 'sorry, I mean…' or just repeat the corrected word — don't apologise at length or stop the conversation.
In Speaking Part 3, examiners are listening for natural communication, not perfect grammar. Strong candidates make small slips and fix them quickly, without losing their flow. The trick is to notice the mistake immediately after saying it, insert a short correction phrase, and keep going. Long pauses or over-apologising ('oh no, sorry, I always make this mistake, let me think again') actually hurt your fluency score more than the original slip did. A quick, confident fix shows the examiner you're monitoring your own accuracy — which is exactly what B1+ speakers should be doing.
→ 'She go— sorry, she goes to that school too.'
→ 'I think it's more better— sorry, better to travel by train.'
→ 'We was— we were both really surprised.'
Question 1.Which is the smoothest self-correction?
Question 2.'I think it's more better— sorry, ____ to walk.'
Question 3.'We was— we ____ both surprised.'
Question 4.Why is quick self-correction good in Speaking Part 3?
Quick check 1.What should you avoid when self-correcting?
Exam Vocabulary · 03
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
to fix your own mistake while speaking, without help
Give an example of self-correcting a mistake out loud.
a short phrase used to fix a slip smoothly
Use 'sorry, I mean' to correct this sentence: 'He live in Rome.'
to forget what you were going to say
What do you do when you lose your train of thought while speaking?
to agree together on a final answer
In a discussion task, how do you and your partner reach a decision?
to compare the advantages and disadvantages of choices
How do you weigh up two holiday destinations?
speaking smoothly and naturally, without too many pauses
What helps you improve your fluency in English?
to add something to a partner's point in a discussion
Give a phrase you could use to build on your partner's idea.
to agree by each side accepting less than they wanted
Describe a time you had to compromise with someone.
Activation · Personalise · Recycle
Use each phrase live, in a short spoken sentence with a partner.
Ask your partner
- Try saying a sentence with a deliberate mistake, then self-correct it smoothly.
- Practise 'sorry, I mean' with a partner correcting each other's made-up slips.
"A good phrase to build on my partner's idea is…"build on
When you and a friend disagree about a plan, how do you weigh up the options and reach a compromise?
Give your answer + one reason.
Write two sentences about what helps you speak fluently and how pairs usually reach a decision together.
Pronunciation for Speaking · 04
3–4 minTone of voice when self-correcting
Say the correction with a small stress and slightly rising-falling tone, then continue at normal speed — don't slow the whole sentence down.
- • She go— sorry, she goes to that school.
- • We was— we were both surprised.
- • It's more better— sorry, better to walk.
- • I think— sorry, I thought it was Tuesday.
Reading Skills · 05
8–10 minReading recycle — why mistakes aren't the end of the world
Language teachers often tell students that making mistakes is a normal, even necessary, part of becoming fluent. Research into how people learn languages shows that speakers who notice and fix their own mistakes tend to improve faster than those who either ignore mistakes completely or become so anxious about them that they stop speaking altogether.
The key skill is not avoiding mistakes but managing them quickly. Confident speakers develop a habit of noticing a slip immediately after they say it, correcting it briefly, and continuing the conversation without a long pause. This is very different from stopping mid-sentence, apologising at length, and losing the thread of what they wanted to say.
In exam situations, examiners are specifically trained to reward candidates who communicate clearly and keep a conversation flowing, even if their grammar isn't perfect. A short, natural self-correction is seen as a sign of a developing, self-aware speaker — exactly the kind of learner examiners want to give a good mark to.
Question 1.What does research show about speakers who notice and fix their own mistakes?
Question 2.What is the key skill, according to the text?
Question 3.What should confident speakers do after noticing a slip?
Question 4.What are examiners trained to reward?
Question 5.How is a short, natural self-correction seen by examiners?
Listening Skills · 06
8–10 minPET Listening Part 2 recycle — planning a class trip
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Dan:So, for the class trip, should we go to the science museum or the art gallery?
Priya:I think— sorry, I think the science museum, because there's an interactive exhibition this month.
Dan:That's a good point. I'd also add that it's cheaper for groups than the art gallery.
Priya:True. Although some students prefers— sorry, prefer art, so maybe we're missing something for them.
Dan:Good thought. What if we weigh up both — maybe the museum has an art section too?
Priya:Actually, yes, it does! That could work as a compromise.
Dan:Let's suggest that to the teacher, then — the science museum, with time in its art section.
Priya:Sounds like a plan. I think we've reached a decision.
Question 1.What two options are Dan and Priya discussing?
Question 2.Why does Priya first prefer the science museum?
Question 3.What extra advantage does Dan mention?
Question 4.What compromise do they find?
Question 5.What do Dan and Priya do at the end?
Question 6.How does Priya self-correct in the dialogue?
Exam Strategy · 07
5 minPET Speaking Part 3 — the collaborative discussion task
Build on your partner's ideas, weigh up options together, and self-correct smoothly if you slip.
Task
Discuss a set of options with your partner and try to reach a joint decision, or agree that you see things differently.
Example
'I think the museum— sorry, I think the gallery is better, because it's closer. What do you think?' 'That's a good point, but weighing it up, I'd say the museum, because it's cheaper.'
Writing Task · 08
5 minPut it in writing
Write 40–50 words describing how you and a friend once disagreed about a plan and how you reached a compromise.
Your writing draft
0 words SavedShow model answer & examiner comment
Last month my friend and I disagreed about where to go for her birthday. She wanted the cinema, but I preferred a picnic. In the end, we compromised: a picnic in the afternoon and a film in the evening. We both got what we wanted, and it turned out to be a brilliant day!
Examiner comment
| 5 | All content points covered; consistent style; range of structures; minor errors only. |
| 3 | Content mostly covered; mostly suitable style; some range; errors don't stop the reader understanding. |
| 1 | Limited content; intrusive errors; very basic structures; under-length. |
Speaking Task · 09
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
PET Speaking Part 3 rehearsal: discuss with your partner which class trip option is best, using the phrases below. If you make a slip, self-correct smoothly and keep talking.
Examiner
"Now, talk together about which class trip the group should choose."
Talk together about
Which class trip should the group choose: the science museum, the art gallery, or an outdoor activity day?
Share opinions, agree and disagree — you do not have to talk only about yourself.
Ideas you could discuss
- Cost for the whole group
- What most students would enjoy
- The weather and time of year
Round off the discussion
Together, agree on one trip option, or explain clearly why you see things differently.
Useful discussion language
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Make self-correction and collaborative discussion feel natural under pressure. ~22 min total
Homework · 10
Take-homeTake it home
Self-study — everything you need is included below. All four skills are covered so you keep the spiral going between lessons; pick the order that suits you.
Record a two-minute Speaking Part 3 discussion with a partner (or alone, imagining both sides) on the topic below.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Topic
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Self-correction drill — read each sentence aloud, insert the deliberate mistake, then self-correct smoothly.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Sentences
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Listening recycle: read the Dan and Priya script aloud with a partner, swapping roles, then answer the questions from memory.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Script
Questions
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Recap · 11
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- Self-correction shows the examiner you're monitoring your own accuracy — it's a good sign, not a bad one.
- Fix slips quickly with a short phrase ('sorry, I mean…') and keep the conversation flowing.
- In the discussion task, build on your partner's ideas and weigh up options together.
- Aim to reach a decision or a clear compromise by the end of the discussion.
- Long pauses and over-apologising hurt fluency more than the original slip did.