APTIS GENERAL COURSE
2025 – SPRING TERM
VOCABULARY AND SPEAKING SYLLABUS.
LECTURER(S):
Vocabulary, and Speaking: Chema
Celia could also assist with vocabulary and speaking, especially during weeks
when Speaking Practice requires extra attention.
SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, from 8.00pm to 9.30pm.
PART ONE: 8.00pm to 8.15pm (Introduction).
PART TWO: 8.15pm to 8.30pm (Vocabulary).
PART THREE: 8.30pm to 8.45pm (Guides).
PART FOUR: 8.45pm to 9.30pm (Individual Speaking Practice + Self-
Study).
METHODOLOGY:
PART ONE: 8.00 – 8.15: Introduction to the Topic.
The weekly topic is introduced, and general questions will be asked to students, to
answer and to debate.
PART TWO: 8.15 – 8.30: Vocabulary List.
A list of vocabulary related to the topic will be considered and explained in class.
Students MUST prepare this vocabulary list at home before the lesson.
PART THREE: 8.30 – 8.45: Structures, guides, and tips.
This third part focuses on the required structures for each section of the exam. The
lecturer will also provide general tips to help students achieve the best possible score.
PART FOUR: 8.45 – 9:30: Individual Speaking Practice + Self-study time.
The last part of the lesson is dedicated to Individual Speaking Practice. Every week, you
MUST prepare a specific structure in advanced to be able to practice. PARTICIPATION
IN INDIVIDUAL SPEAKING PRACTICE IS COMPULSORY.
The Individual Speaking Practice consists of a mock test in which, by using a computer
and a voice recorder, the student will completed a simulated exam.
- The Individual Speaking Practice lasts 10 minutes approximately.
- The Individual Speaking Practice will not be supervised by the lecturer at the
time.
- The lecture will later provide feedback by calling students individually to
discuss mistakes, answer questions, and offer advice based on their performance
in the previous session.
The Self-Study Time is the time you are to spend while your classroom mates are
completing their Individual Speaking Practice, or receiving feedback from the lecturer.
You may use it to review materials or complete assignments.
MATERIALS: No specific materials are required for Vocabulary, and Speaking Lesson
apart from those materials provided to you in class by the lecturer. However,
complementary material for additional study could be available on Google Classroom
(or in printed form) during the term.
TENTATIVE PLAN (subject to change)
Week Contents
1 Introduction to Vocabulary and Speaking lessons. Linkers. Questions
related to Part One.
AT HOME: Questions related to part 1. Vocabulary related to TOPIC 1.
2 TOPIC 1: Family and Relationships. Hobbies.
AT HOME: Description of a picture. Vocabulary related to TOPIC 2.
3 TOPIC 2. Sports and Physical Activities.
AT HOME: Benefits and drawbacks. Vocabulary related to TOPIC 3.
4 TOPIC 3. Food and Eating Habits.
AT HOME: Establishing preferences. Vocabulary related to TOPIC 4.
5 TOPIC 4. Holidays and Travel. Means of transport.
AT HOME: Talking about generalities. Vocabulary related to TOPIC 5.
6 TOPIC 5. Places to live.
AT HOME: Telling a personal experience.Vocabulary related to TOPIC
6.
7 TOPIC 6. Fashion and shopping.
AT HOME: Talking about feelings. Vocabulary related to TOPIC 7.
8 TOPIC 7. Work
AT HOME: Vocabulary related to TOPIC 8.
9 TOPIC 8: Education and Learning a foreign language.
AT HOME: Vocabulary related to TOPIC 9.
10 TOPIC 9: Environment
AT HOME: Vocabulary related to TOPIC 10.
11 TOPIC 10: Entertainment
AT HOME: Vocabulary related to TOPIC 11
12 TOPIC 11: Festivals and Culture.
AT HOME: Preparing the Exam Simulacrum.
13 EXAM SIMULACRUM
14 Final tips.
UNIT 0: INTRODUCTION TO SPEAKING.
1. Features of a good presentation.
2. Useful linkers.
3. Questions related to Part One.
1. FEATURES OF A GOOD PRESENTATION.
OPENING: To connect the question with the answer.
BODY: The body of the answer could include (1) the answer itself, (2) an argument
to support your answers.
OPENING:
Tell people why what you are doing. USE THE QUESTION AS A MOCK.
Tell me about your favourite food.
Well, regarding my favourite food, I think it is…
BODY:
(1) Answer the given question, briefly. You do not need to give too much
information.
… rubbish food, specially pizza.
(2) Support your answer with one or two pieces of information:
… In fact, I have eaten pizza almost every weekend since I was a child. Furthermore, I
usually go to restaurants in order to eat this kind of food, or sometimes I order it to take
away.
MORE FEATURES:
- Speak slowly and clearly.
- Use humour (to a certain extent).
- Vary your intonation.
- Keep an eye on the time.
2. LINKERS.
• 1. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR IDEAS.
At the beginning of the sentence: Additionally, Moreover, Furthermore.
In the middle of the sentence: and, also…
• 2. CAUSE / REASON: because, due to the fact that _____
• 3. CONTRAST: Although, Despite, However, Nevertheless.
• 4. SUPPORTING IDEAS (EXAMPLES) In fact, For instance.
• 5. RE-PHRASING: In other terms, In other words.
• 6. SUMMARY OR CONCLUSION: In conclusion / On the whole.
7. PERSONAL OPINIONS: From my point of view, As far as I’m concerned
3. QUESTIONS RELATED TO PART ONE.
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. Tell me about your best friend.
3. Tell me about your family.
4. What do you like doing in weekends?
5. What would you like to do in your free time?
6. What did you do last weekend?
7. What are you wearing today?
8. Tell me about your last holidays.
9. What do you do?
10. Describe your journey here today.
11. Describe this classroom.
12. Tell me about your favourite food.
13. Describe your favourite dish.
14. What’s the weather like today?
15. What’s your typical day like?
16. What is your hometown like?
17. Tell me about your favourite book.
18. Tell me about your favourite film.
19. Describe your house.
20. What’s your favourite sport?
UNIT 1
FAMILY AND RELATIONSHIPS.
HOBBIES.
VOCABULARY
Basic concepts:
FAMILY
MY RELATIVES.
MY PARENTS: MOTHER AND FATHER
MY GRANDPARENTS: GRANDMOTHER / GRANDMA AND GRANDFATHER /
GRANDAD
MY SIBLINGS: SISTER AND BROTHER (YOUNGER OR OLDER).
MY CHILDREN: SON AND DAUGHTER
AUNT / AUNTY; UNCLE; COUSIN ; NEPHEW ; NIECE
WIFE AND HUSBAND:
MOTHER / FATHER / SISTER / BROTHER IN LAW
STEPMOTHER / STEPFATHER / STEPSISTER / STEPBROTHER
Advanced concepts:
TAKE AFTER.
TO ADOPT.
TO GET MARRIED.
TO GET DIVORCED.
TO GET TOGETHER.
TO MEET TOGETHER.
HOW TO DESCRIBE A PICTURE.
(PART TWO, QUESTION ONE)
• BASIC DESCRIPTION (FOR INTERMEDIATE STUDENTS)
Well, in this picture we can see Who, What (v-ing), Where.
SUBJECT may be v-ing.
If one person: He / She is _____________ years old, and he/she is wearing
___________ clothes.
If many people: They are around __________ years old, and they are wearing
_________________.
(If possible) The weather is hot/cold/nice and sunny /rainy/windy so it’s probably
spring/summer/autumn/Winter.
(If possible) In the background, we can see ________________.
Finally, I really like this picture because _______ is a fun activity.
• DEEPER DESCRIPTION (FOR ADVANCED STUDENTS)
Well, in this picture we can see Who, What (v-ing), Where.
SUBJECT may be v-ing.
(If indoors) Furthermore, despite the weather cannot be seen due to the picture is
indoors, due to the fact that SUBJECT is/are wearing ____ comfortable
/sportif/elegant/casual... and short/long sleeves clothes, we could state that it’s
probably spring / summer / autumn / winter.
(If outdoors) Furthermore, they are wearing _______ and _______ clothes, and the
weather is hot / cold / nice and sunny / rainy / windy / stormy / snowy… so we could
state that it’s probably spring / summer / autumn / winter.
Finally, I really like this pictures because it brings me good memories of when I used to
______________ when I was younger.
PRACTICE.
TASK: DESCRIBE THE FOLLOWING PICTURES:
Picture One.
Picture Two.
EXTRA PRACTICE
EXTRA PRACTICE UNIT 1: EXAM SIMULACRUM
PART ONE. In this part, you are asked to answer three questions
about yourself. You will need to speak for 30 seconds per question.
1) Tell me about yourself.
2) Tell me about your favourite animal.
3) Tell me about your daily routine.
PART TWO. In this part, you will look at a photo and answer three
questions. You have 45 seconds to respond to each question.
1) Describe this picture.
2) When do people usually meet together with friends in your country?
3) Why do people like spending time with friends?
PART THREE. In this part, you will be shown two pictures and
answer three questions. You have 45 seconds to respond to each
question
1) Compare these two pictures.
2) What hobby do you prefer to
do?
3) Why is it important to spend
time on your hobbies?
PART FOUR. In this part, you
need to answer three questions but
in a mini-presentation. You need to
speak for 2 minutes and you have 1 minute preparation time.
1) Tell me about your favourite hobby or past time.
2) How do you feel when you do this hobby?
3) Why do you recommend this hobby to other people?
