Speaking from 2028
Rehearse the 2028–2030 role play and two topic conversations, using supervised preparation notes as permitted.
Exam scope and assessment notes
All Italian passages, prompts, model answers, listening scripts and tasks are original StudyForA material, not Cambridge assessment content. Cambridge's separate 2028 vocabulary spreadsheet is linked through its subject page but has not been reconciled word by word. Grammar groups need item-by-item specialist checking, and an Italian-language teacher should review the original Italian 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 a centre assessment or examiner mark; writing answers are self-checked, not Cambridge-marked. No complete timed specimen or 130-hour course is included. Confirm your exam year, entry option and centre availability with Cambridge and your school. Use the 2025–2027 or 2028–2030 paper lesson that matches your exam year. Cambridge lists 7164 as available in a limited number of administrative zones; for June, the published notice names zone 3 and centres in Oman and UAE. Confirm the applicable series and entry with your centre.
Before you begin
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
Which preparation cue is most useful?
What you will learn
- Complete a role play and respond to two familiar-topic conversations.
- Use brief supervised preparation notes when permitted and hand them in before the test.
- Express opinions and feelings and respond to follow-up questions.
- Self-review fluency and clarity without claiming an official or moderated score.
Use the revised preparation rule
From 2028, candidates may make notes during supervised preparation and must hand those notes to the examiner before the speaking test. The assessment still includes a role play and two topic conversations.
Write short cues, not a full script: a question, a place or time, a preference plus reason and one follow-up. Check current centre instructions for the exam series.
Practise interaction, not recitation
Answer the prompt first, then add a relevant detail or reason. If a question is unclear, ask for clarification instead of reciting an unrelated prepared response.
StudyForA provides rehearsal and self-review, not the supervised exam, examiner interaction, centre assessment or moderation.
Sources for this lesson
- Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Italian 7164 subject page
- Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Italian 7164 syllabus for exams in 2025–2027
- Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Italian 7164 syllabus update for 2025–2027
- Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Italian 7164 syllabus for exams in 2028–2030
- Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Italian 7164 2028 vocabulary list
Pause and explain
How many topic conversations accompany the role play?
Worked example
For a school-trip role play, prepare to ask the meeting place, state which visit you prefer and why, and ask what to bring. What short preparation cues could help?
Show the worked solution
- Write one keyword per requested point.
- Keep the notes short enough to prompt speech, not replace it.
- Hand the notes to the examiner before speaking, as the revised syllabus requires.
Answer Possible cues: «dove?», «preferisco il museo — storia», «cosa porto?». Candidates may make notes in supervised preparation and hand them to the examiner before the speaking test.
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: ask the meeting place, state a visit preference with a reason, and ask what to bring.
Give me a hint
Use keywords rather than complete sentences.
Compare my reasoning
- Write a location-question cue.
- Write a preference and reason cue.
- Write a question about what to bring; plan to hand the notes in.
Possible cues: «dove?», «preferisco la mostra — arte», «cosa devo portare?». Under the revised cycle, notes are handed to the examiner before speaking.
Look for these in your work
- Covers all three points
- Uses short prompts
- Follows the note hand-in rule
Record an answer about family or free time, then respond to a follow-up asking for a contrast or reason. Review your response.
Give me a hint
Add one concrete example and answer the follow-up directly.
Compare my reasoning
- Give an opinion.
- Support it with one detail.
- Answer the follow-up and choose one improvement.
A complete rehearsal includes an opinion, a specific example and a direct follow-up answer. A useful improvement may be adding a reason. This is self-review, not a Cambridge mark.
Look for these in your work
- Develops the topic
- Maintains interaction
- Names an improvement
Plan two topic conversations about work and the world around you, then speak without reading your notes.
Give me a hint
Plan one opinion, one example and one future intention for each topic.
Compare my reasoning
- Choose short cues for both topics.
- Speak from memory rather than reading full sentences.
- Check that both topics include a reason or example.
A strong rehearsal covers both topics, develops each answer and responds naturally. Under the live exam rule, notes are handed to the examiner before speaking; the checklist cannot provide moderated marks.
Look for these in your work
- Plans both topics
- Speaks from cues
- 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 conversations.
Use about 10 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 short cues and were handed in before speaking
- Role-play points were covered
- Both conversations included details or reasons
- 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
- Reading a full script instead of speaking
- Forgetting to hand preparation notes to the examiner
- Practising one conversation topic instead of two
- Treating the checklist as a moderated mark
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
Candidates may make notes, but they do not 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 point to practise again.
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.