Lesson 19 · Speaking
Speaking — discussing cultural difference (FCE Part 4 style)
Your task
Compare one custom from your country with a custom from somewhere you've travelled (or read about). Use at least one comparative and TWO softening generalisers. Avoid any sentence beginning 'All ____ are…'
How to do it
OPEN with the soft generaliser ('In general' / 'People in ____ tend to…'). USE comparatives precisely ('more formal than', 'less direct than', 'not as punctual as'). NEVER make absolute claims ('All Brits…'). CLOSE with a personal reaction ('It took some getting used to' / 'It was a real eye-opener'). Examiners reward students who compare without stereotyping.
Use these phrases
Talk about
- • What was the first thing that surprised you about another country (or city)?
- • What's one thing visitors to YOUR country are often surprised by?
- • Name one thing that's polite in one culture but rude in another.
Model answer
In general, in my country people tend to start meetings 10–15 minutes late, whereas in Germany meetings start exactly on time. It's not that we're disorganised — it's just the norm to allow a soft start for small talk. The first time I attended a German meeting that started at 9:00 sharp, it was a real eye-opener. It took me a few weeks to fit in, but now I actually prefer it: meetings are shorter and more focused. Across the board, I'd say neither approach is better — they just reflect what each culture values.
Pair / class extension: Role-play with your teacher (or a partner): the 'cultural-curiosity interview'. Take turns interviewing each other about ONE custom from each of your cultures. The interviewer must ask: (1) when it happens, (2) how it's different from elsewhere, (3) how a visitor should handle it. The speaker must use one comparative + two soft generalisers and avoid stereotypes.
Giving opinions
Share what you think clearly and naturally.
- On the whole, I think…“On the whole, I think remote work suits me better.”
- In my view, …“In my view, schools should teach financial literacy.”
- If you ask me, …“If you ask me, it's not worth the money.”
- To be honest, …“To be honest, I wasn't a fan of the film.”
- I'd say (that)…“I'd say that's the best one.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Agreeing & disagreeing
Respond to opinions without sounding aggressive or weak.
- Absolutely / Definitely.“Absolutely — that's exactly what I meant.”
- I see your point, but…“I see your point, but I'd look at it differently.”
- I'm not so sure about that.“I'm not so sure about that — it depends on the price.”
- Yes and no.“Yes and no — partly true, but it's more complicated.”
- I'd have to disagree.“I'd have to disagree there — I had a great experience.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Asking questions politely
Soften questions for strangers, customer service, formal contexts.
- Could you tell me…?“Could you tell me where platform 4 is?”
- Do you know…?“Do you know what time it closes?”
- Would you mind + -ing?“Would you mind repeating that?”
- I was wondering if…“I was wondering if you had a moment.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Clarifying & checking
Make sure you've understood — without saying 'What?'.
- Sorry, do you mean…?“Sorry, do you mean Monday next week or this week?”
- Just to check, …“Just to check, that's £40 each, right?”
- So what you're saying is…“So what you're saying is we should leave earlier.”
- Could you say that again?“Could you say that again — I missed the last part.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Reactions & follow-ups
Keep conversations alive instead of letting them die.
- Oh really? / No way!“A: I quit my job. — B: No way! When?”
- Have you? / Did you? / Are you?“A: I've moved to Lisbon. — B: Have you?! How is it?”
- How come?“How come you decided to do that?”
- What's that like?“What's that like — working remotely full-time?”
- How about you?“I love thrillers. How about you?”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Suggesting & negotiating
Make plans, propose solutions, find middle ground.
- Why don't we…?“Why don't we meet halfway?”
- How about + -ing?“How about going to the Thai place?”
- Shall we…?“Shall we say 7pm then?”
- Would it work if…?“Would it work if we pushed it to Friday?”
- I'm easy / I don't mind.“I'm easy — whatever suits you.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Storytelling & anecdotes
Hold attention when you tell a story or share news.
- You'll never guess what happened.“You'll never guess what happened on the way here.”
- So basically, …“So basically, we missed the train by 30 seconds.”
- All of a sudden, …“All of a sudden, the lights went out.”
- Long story short, …“Long story short, we ended up driving instead.”
- Anyway, …“Anyway, that's how I met your dad.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.
Hedging & diplomacy
Soften strong opinions, disagree politely, sound less abrupt.
- It might be worth + -ing“It might be worth checking the schedule first.”
- I'd probably…“I'd probably go for the smaller one.”
- I'm not entirely sure, but…“I'm not entirely sure, but I think it closes at 6.”
- That's a fair point, although…“That's a fair point, although there's another side to it.”
Speak out loud: use three of these phrases in a one-minute answer.