SPEAKING QUESTIONS

I. Talking about yourself, your friend and members in your family

1. If you had to choose just one word to describe yourself, what word would

you choose?

→ If I had to choose just one word to describe myself, I would choose “caring.” I

believe that it's important to focus on inner growth and helping others. I enjoy

making a positive difference in people's lives and always try my best to be kind

and supportive. For me, being caring means looking out for others and trying to

make the world a better place. This also helps me feel that my life has more

meaning and makes me love life more.

2. The qualities that you expect from a good friend and the qualities that you

don’t expect from a good friend?

→ I expect a good friend to be kind, honest, and supportive. A good friend

should listen when I have problems and be happy for me when I succeed. They

should respect my opinions and always be there when I need them.

On the other hand, I don’t expect a good friend to be selfish or rude. I wouldn’t

want a friend who lies to me or talks behind my back. A good friend shouldn’t

make me feel bad about myself or ignore me when I need help.

3. What kind of family do you like? Why?

→ I like a democratic family where everyone can share their ideas and opinions.

In this type of family, parents and children listen to each other and make

decisions together. It helps build respect and understanding between family

members. I think a democratic family makes everyone feel valued and closer to

each other.
 4. Tell about some of the changes in your city

→ To the best of my knowledge, I see that one of the changes in my city is

changing the bus. When I was in first year, I went to school on the 50 bus. That

bus was old and very hot, the driver was not kind either. But in the second

semester of first year, the city has changed all the old buses in the city to modern

ones. Now, the bus I take to school everyday is modern, comfortable and

convenient.

II. Intercultural Communication:

1. Have you ever met someone from another country? What was it like?

→ I have met people from another country. When I went for a retreat in

HongKong, I met and made friends with a girl from HongKong. She is very nice

and friendly, because my English is not very good, but I also know a little bit of

Chinese, so I communicate with her in 2 languages. She knows Chinese too. We

talked to each other for 2 hours on the night of New Year’s Eve. It was very

wonderful and it was a memorable experience.

2. What is an important custom in your country?

→ In Vietnam, an important custom is celebrating Lunar New Year, or Tet. Before

Tet, families clean their houses to remove bad luck and prepare special food like

sticky rice cakes. During the holiday, people visit family, give lucky money to

children, and say good wishes. Tet is a time to remember ancestors, enjoy time

with loved ones, and hope for a good new year.

3. How do people greet each other in your culture?

In Vietnam, people greet each other with a smile and a slight bow. In formal

situations, they may shake hands, but usually, they add a polite word like “Chào
ông” or “Chào bà” for older people. Young people often greet friends with a

casual “Chào” or a wave. These ways of greeting show respect and kindness,

which are very important in Vietnamese culture.

4. What are some differences between your culture and another culture?

In Vietnam, people focus a lot on family and doing things together, like eating

meals or celebrating festivals. Children often live with their parents until they

marry. In Western countries, people value independence more, and young adults

usually live on their own. Also, in Vietnam, we often greet elders with formal

words, while in Western cultures, greetings are more casual, like saying “Hi” or

“Hello” to everyone.

5. What languages would you like to learn to communicate with others?

→ I would like to learn Chinese and English. Chinese is widely spoken, and it

would help me connect with many people and understand their culture better.

English is an international language, so it’s very useful for communication,

travel, and studying. Learning these two languages would make it easier for me

to talk to people from different countries.

III. Talking About Places on Campus:

1. Where is your favorite place to study on campus?

→ My favorite place to study on campus is definitely the library. It’s a peaceful

and quiet place where I can focus without distractions. I love how organized it is,

and there are lots of books and resources that make studying more effective. The

library has a calm atmosphere, which helps me concentrate better and get the

most out of my study time. Plus, it’s always cool and comfortable, which makes

studying there even more enjoyable.

 2. How do you get to the library from your classroom?

→ It depends on which classroom I’m in. If I’m in building A1, I go out to the

middle parking lot and turn left to reach the library. If I’m in buildings C1 or B4,

I go out to the parking lot as well, but I turn right to get there. It’s a short walk

from all these buildings, so it’s easy to find the library.

3. Can you describe your campus cafeteria?

→ Our campus has three cafeterias, and each one is unique. They are all clean,

spacious, and well-organized, with plenty of tables and chairs for students. Each

cafeteria offers a variety of meals, snacks, and drinks, so there’s always

something for everyone. During lunch breaks, they get busy with students

chatting and enjoying their food. These cafeterias are great places to relax, eat

something quickly, and spend time with friends between classes.

4. Where do students usually relax on your campus?

→ Students usually relax in the library or in the hallways on my campus. The

library is a quiet place where students can take a break from studying and enjoy

some peaceful time. Sometimes, students also relax in the hallways, sitting on the

benches or chatting with friends. These places are comfortable and convenient

for students to unwind between classes and during lunch breaks.

5. What facilities do you use most often on campus?

→ The facilities I use most often on campus are the library and the cafeterias. I go

to the library to study because it’s quiet and has many useful resources like

books and computers. The cafeterias are also places I visit often to relax and have

meals between classes. These facilities are convenient and help me focus on my

studies while staying comfortable on campus.

IV. Talking about learning and teaching methods and strategies

1. Advantages and disadvantages: students study in groups?

→ Studying in groups has many advantages. Students can share ideas, help

each other understand difficult topics, and solve problems together. It also

improves teamwork and communication skills, which are useful in real life.

However, there are some disadvantages too. Sometimes, group members

might not focus or depend too much on others to do the work. It can also be

hard to manage time when everyone has a different schedule.

A good group needs cooperation and clear planning to be successful.

2. Describe your college/university. What are two things you don’t like

about your college? What are two things you most like about your

college?

→ My college has two campuses, but the campus I study at is quite spacious

and full of greenery. There are many buildings for classes, but only the

administration building and B4 have air conditioning. Most of the other

buildings have elevators, which makes it easier to move around. The

campus is peaceful, and I love the natural atmosphere with lots of trees and

a beautiful pond.

→ Two things I don’t like about my college are the heat in most of the

buildings and the lack of air conditioning in many areas. It can get quite

uncomfortable, especially during the warmer months.

→ The two things I love most about my college are the beautiful green

spaces and the natural environment. The trees and the pond create a calm

and relaxing atmosphere, which makes the campus feel like a peaceful place

to study and spend time.

3. How many 21st century skills do you have? What are they? Let’s describe

your experience to get these skills?

→ I have several 21st century skills, such as communication, teamwork, and

problem-solving. I also have skills in using technology, like working with

computers and learning from online resources.

I developed these skills through different experiences. For example, teamwork

and communication came from working on group projects with classmates. I

learned problem-solving by handling challenges in my studies. My technology

skills improved by using apps and tools for learning and organizing my work.

These experiences have helped me prepare for the future.

4. What ways would you like to get involved in your school? Do you have

any interest in playing a sport or joining a club at your school? If you have,

what club have you joined?

→ I would like to get involved in my school by participating in activities like

volunteering or helping with events. These are good ways to connect with others

and contribute to the school community.

→ I don’t play any sports or join any clubs at the moment, but I focus on my

studies and enjoy spending time with friends during my free time.
 5. Do you like to study in the library? Where else do you like to study?

Why?

→ Yes, I like studying in the library because it has a great study atmosphere.

Everyone is hardworking and quiet, which helps me focus better. The library also

has many resources like books and a peaceful environment.

Besides the library, I also enjoy studying at home or in a coffee shop. At home, I

feel comfortable and familiar with the space. In a coffee shop, the relaxing vibe

and background noise keep me motivated and make studying more enjoyable.

It’s a nice change when I want to feel motivated or need a new environment.

V. Technology-Enhanced Teaching and Learning:

1. How do you use technology to learn new things?

→ I use technology in many ways to learn new things. I watch educational

videos on YouTube or listen to podcasts to understand different topics better. I

also use apps like Quizlet to study vocabulary and memorize key points.

Sometimes, I take online courses to learn new skills, and I often search for

information on websites to read articles or research papers. Technology helps me

learn in a fun and flexible way, anytime and anywhere.

2. Do you prefer learning from videos or textbooks? Why?

→ I prefer learning from textbooks because they give detailed information and

are well-organized. Textbooks help me focus and understand the topic step by

step. I can also read them anytime and review important parts easily. While

videos are fun, I think textbooks are better for deep learning and long-term

memory.
 3. What is your favorite educational app or website?

→ My favorite educational app is Quizlet. It’s great for making flashcards and

reviewing vocabulary. The app has fun features like games and quizzes, which

make studying less boring. It also helps me remember new words faster and

track my progress. I use it a lot when preparing for exams.

4. How can teachers use technology to make learning easier?

→ Teachers can use technology to show videos or pictures that explain hard

topics more clearly. They can also use apps or online quizzes to make lessons fun

and interactive. For example, tools like Kahoot or Google Classroom help

students stay engaged and organized. Technology makes learning more flexible

and interesting for everyone.

5. Do you like online classes or face-to-face classes? Why?

→ I like a mix of both online and face-to-face classes. Face-to-face classes are

great for group activities and asking teachers questions directly. Online classes

are more flexible and save time, especially for reviewing recorded lessons.

Combining both helps me learn better because I can enjoy the benefits of each

style.

VI. Making a Plan for Study Goals:

1. What is one goal you have for this school year?

→ My goal for this school year is to study better and be more proactive. I want to

plan my study time carefully and avoid waiting until the last minute before

exams to prepare. By staying organized and focused, I hope to improve my

learning and feel more confident in my studies.

 2. How do you plan to organize your study time?

→ I plan to organize my study time by making a clear schedule. I will divide my

time into smaller sessions for each subject and start studying early, instead of

waiting until exams are near. I’ll also use tools like a planner or apps to track my

progress and make sure I stay on schedule. This way, I can balance my studies

and have time to relax, too.

3. Do you prefer studying alone or with friends? Why?

→ I think I prefer studying alone (self-study) to studying with friends. Because

when I’m studying alone, I can focus and learn effectively. Study with friends, I

will talk a lot, I will see what they learn and ask them if I don’t understand

without thinking about that problem. But studying alone, I can adjust my study

time, and I can focus on myself.

4. How do you prepare for exams?

→ Before the exam, I break down the knowledge and plan to learn it. Everyday I

learn a little bit and I will finish reviewing all the lessons one day before the

exam, and I want that I understand that lesson to remember, not learn by heart,

and it worked for me. If I don’t understand, I will ask my friends or look up the

curriculum. That method is very helpful, it gives me enough time to review,

remember and relax before the exam.

5. What subjects do you want to focus on this semester?

→ I think that I will talk about the next semester. I think I want to focus on

English, because I have a fear of English. I think I should study English harder,

don’t be shy to speak English and learn more vocabulary.

 Rubrics

Criteria Excellent (5) Good (4) Satisfactory (3) Needs Poor (1)
Improvement
(2)

Content Fully addresses Mostly addresses Addresses the Partially Does not
the topic with the topic with a topic but lacks addresses the address the
clear and few missing detail or clarity. topic, with topic or ideas
relevant ideas. details. many irrelevant are unclear.
points.

Pronunciati Clear and Mostly clear with Generally clear, Difficult to Unclear, with
on correct only minor with some understand due frequent errors
pronunciation pronunciation pronunciation to several making speech
throughout. errors. errors. pronunciation hard to follow.
errors.

Fluency Speaks Speaks well but Some Frequent Very hesitant,

smoothly with with some hesitations or hesitations or making speech
little to no hesitations. pauses, but still long pauses that hard to follow
hesitation. understandable. interrupt or disjointed.
speech.

Vocabulary Uses a variety of Uses mostly Limited Vocabulary is Very limited

appropriate appropriate vocabulary, too limited, vocabulary,
words correctly. words, but lacks repeats words, often incorrect often using
variety. but still or repetitive. incorrect
understandable. words.

Grammar Uses correct Few grammatical Some Frequent Major

grammar with errors, but they grammatical grammatical grammatical
few or no errors. don’t affect errors that errors that affect errors that
understanding. slightly affect understanding. make speech
understanding. hard to
understand.