Speaking and Listening Skills (AQA GCSE English Language) : Revision Note

Being a confident speaker is not something you are simply born with — it’s a skill that can be taught and improved. By understanding how language works and practising your communication skills, you can become a better and more confident speaker.

How do you prepare for a speaking and listening assessment?

You can prepare for your speaking and listening assessment by going through each of the following five stages:

Verbal and non-verbal skills

To communicate clearly and confidently, you need to use both verbal (spoken) and non-verbal (body language, gestures, eye contact)) skills. These help you to engage the audience and make your presentation more interesting to listen to. Here are some verbal and non-verbal techniques you could include:

Verbal communication

This is what you say — your words, language techniques and how you structure your speech. It is used to:

• Deliver your message: your topic, argument and examples are shown through the words you choose

• Show your understanding: the way you explain your ideas proves you know your topic

• Engage your audience: devices such as rhetorical questions and emotive language keep your audience engaged

• Suit your purpose: whether you are trying to persuade, entertain  or inform, your language should support your purpose

Non-verbal communication

This is how you say it — your body language, facial expressions, gestures, tone and posture. It is used to:

• Add meaning and emotion: a serious or humorous tone can help to deliver your speech more effectively

• Make you appear confident: good posture, eye contact and gestures can help you appear more confident and assured about your topic

• Engage your audience: your use of body language will help to keep your audience engaged with your topic

• Reinforce your words: using facial expressions or gestures will make your speech more memorable

Before, during and after your presentation

It is important to focus on what you are doing before, during and after your Spoken Language presentation. 

Before your presentation

• Choose a topic you care about: a topic that interests you will make it easier to speak about

• Know your purpose: are you informing, persuading or inspiring?

• Plan your structure: have a strong opening, clear main points and an ending

• Use techniques: include rhetorical questions, emotive language, direct address etc.

• Rehearse out loud: practise repeatedly 

• Time it: make sure it is approximately 3–5 minutes in length

• Prepare answers: think about the questions your audience might ask you and how you will respond

During your presentation

• Project your voice: speak loudly and clearly

• Use eye contact: look at different people within your audience 

• Use gestures and body language: natural gestures will help you appear confident

• Vary your tone and pace: use an expressive voice so that it is engaging

• Stay focused: your speech only lasts a short while, so remain engaged throughout

After your presentation

• Listen carefully: make sure you understand any questions before answering them

• Take your time: it is okay to pause and think before responding 

• Give thoughtful answers: show you have thought deeply about your topic

Learn more about your GCSE English Language Speaking and Listening individual presentation task.