Speaking from 2028
Rehearse the 2028–2030 role-play and two topic conversations, using supervised preparation notes as permitted by the revised syllabus.
Exam scope and assessment notes
All Spanish passages, prompts, model answers, listening scripts and tasks are original StudyForA materials, not Cambridge assessment content. Vocabulary is taught in context, but Cambridge's 2028 vocabulary spreadsheet has not been mapped word by word. Grammar groups have not had an item-by-item Spanish-specialist audit, and a Spanish-language specialist should review the original Spanish before publication is described as complete. Browser speech synthesis is not Cambridge audio and cannot guarantee a regional accent, natural pace or pronunciation. Speaking is rehearsal and self-review, not the supervised centre assessment or examiner interaction; writing is not Cambridge-marked. No complete timed specimen paper or 130-hour course is included. Check your exam year, entry option and centre arrangements with Cambridge and your school. A 2025–2027 Version 2 lesson is intended for that syllabus cycle; use the separately labelled format from 2028.
Before you begin
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
Which preparation note is most useful?
What you will learn
- Complete a role play and respond to conversations on familiar topics.
- Use supervised preparation to plan concise reminders when allowed.
- Express opinions and feelings and maintain interaction with follow-up responses.
- Self-review clarity and fluency while recognising the centre assessment and moderation limits.
Use the updated preparation rule
From exams in 2028, candidates may write notes during the supervised preparation time and must hand those notes to the examiner before the speaking test begins. The paper still includes one role play and conversations on two topics.
Notes should be brief cues, not a script. Plan a question, a time or place, an opinion plus a reason and one useful follow-up. Follow the exact current instructions from your centre and Cambridge for the exam series.
Practise interaction, not recitation
Answer the prompt directly, then develop it with a reason or example. If you do not understand a question, use a suitable clarification request rather than switching to an unrelated memorised response.
The course provides rehearsal prompts and a review checklist. It does not reproduce supervised conditions, examiner interaction, centre marking, moderation or pronunciation assessment.
Sources for this lesson
Pause and explain
How many topic conversations accompany the role play?
Worked example
During preparation for a school trip role play, you need to ask about the meeting place, say which visit you prefer and explain why, and ask what to bring. What short notes could help?
Show the worked solution
- Write one keyword cue per required point.
- Keep notes short enough to prompt a spoken answer rather than reading it.
- Hand the notes to the examiner before the test begins, as the revised syllabus requires.
Answer Possible cues: «lugar?», «prefiero museo — historia», «¿qué llevar?». Candidates may make notes in supervised preparation and hand them to the examiner before the speaking test. Confirm exact administration with the centre.
From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Prepare three short cues for a role play: ask about the meeting place, state a visit preference with a reason and ask what to bring.
Give me a hint
Use keywords, not complete sentences.
Compare my reasoning
- Write a cue for a location question.
- Write a preference and reason cue.
- Write a question about what to bring; plan to hand notes in.
Possible cues: «¿dónde?», «prefiero el museo — me interesa la historia», «¿qué llevo?». Under the revised cycle, preparation notes are handed to the examiner before the speaking test.
Look for these in your work
- Covers all three points
- Uses prompts rather than a script
- Follows the note hand-in rule
Record a response on family or leisure, then answer a follow-up that asks for a contrast or reason. Use the review checklist.
Give me a hint
Add one specific example and one response to the follow-up.
Compare my reasoning
- Give an opinion on the topic.
- Support it with a concrete detail.
- Answer the follow-up and identify one improvement.
A complete practice response includes an opinion, a specific example and a direct follow-up answer. The learner can note one improvement such as adding a reason. This is not an official score.
Look for these in your work
- Develops the topic
- Maintains interaction
- Names one improvement
Use preparation time to plan a two-topic conversation about work and the world around you. Speak without reading your notes.
Give me a hint
Plan one opinion, one past or present example and one future intention for each topic.
Compare my reasoning
- Choose a useful cue for each topic.
- Speak from the cues without reading full sentences.
- Check that both topics received a reason or detail.
A strong rehearsal plan uses short reminders, develops both topics and responds naturally. Under the live exam rule, notes are handed to the examiner before speaking; the rehearsal checklist cannot provide moderated marks.
Look for these in your work
- Plans both topics
- Speaks from reminders
- Recognises assessment limits
Plan, speak and review your response
Microphone recordings stay in this page and are not uploaded or graded.
Role-play and two-topic rehearsal
Use brief preparation cues, hand them in before the test, then complete a role play and two topic conversations.
Use about 1 minute to plan your practice response, then speak for about 120 seconds. This practice timer does not reproduce exam preparation rules.
The recording is not transcribed. This optional text and the audio both stay in the open page.
Review your recording
- Notes were concise prompts and were handed in before the test
- Role-play points were covered
- Both conversations included reasons or examples
- Self-review is not an official or moderated mark
This self-review is not an official speaking mark. A teacher or examination centre must assess the speaking endorsement.
Common mistakes
- Using notes as a script
- Forgetting that notes must be handed to the examiner
- Practising only one topic instead of two conversations
- Treating self-review as moderated marks
What can you explain now?
What happens to preparation notes under the 2028–2030 syllabus?
Compare with the explanation
They are handed to the examiner before the speaking test
The permission to make notes does not allow candidates to keep them during the test.
After trying it yourself, choose your next review. This is your self-assessment.
Your review choice appears on Today. Sign in to sync it across devices.
Make it stick
Before leaving speaking from 2028, explain one idea from memory, answer the checkpoint and name one syllabus detail you still need to practise.
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.