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01 Speaking Gym: All you need to do is…
ESL Materials: Speaking Skills

Practise and change the sentence, "All you need to do is press thebutton."① Repeat
Repeat your teacher reading the following sentence for 20 seconds.
"All you need to do is press the button."② Question
What do I need to do?
Repeat your teacher reading the sentence and the question for 20 seconds.
“All you need to do is press the button. What do I need to do?"③ Substitute
Next, practise the sentence, changing "press" with the following words. Say the sentence
three times for each word. Don't forget the question!
“All you need to do is ______ the button. What do I need to do?"●push●

tap●punch●kick④ Practice
Change "press the button" to these phrases. Say each one three times. Don't forget thequestion!
“All you need to do is _________________. What do I need to do?"

1. turn left and go straight.
2. add water and stir it.
3. write your name here.
4. wait for five minutes.
5. follow the signs to Terminal 1.
6. change to the train on platform 2.
⑤ Challenge
Finally, try to make your own sentences!
Copyright © Nick Ramsay

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02 Speaking Gym: It’s not that I…, it’s just that…
ESL Materials: Speaking Skills

Practise and change the sentence, "It's not that I don't like cats, it's justthat I'm allergic."① Repeat
Repeat your teacher reading the following sentence for 20 seconds.
"It’s not that I don’t like cats, it’s just that I’m allergic."② Question
What do I need to do?
Repeat your teacher reading the sentence and the question for 20 seconds.
“It’s not that I don’t like cats, it’s just that I’m allergic. What’s the problem?"③ Substitute
Next, practise the sentence, changing "cats" with the following words. Say the sentence
three times for each word. Don't forget the question!
“It’s not that I don’t like ______, it’s just that I’m allergic. What’s the problem?"●peanuts●seafood●flowers●

you④ Practice
Change "don't like cats" and "I'm allergic" to these phrases. Say each one three times.
Don't forget the question!
“It’s not that I ___________, it’s just that ___________. What’s the problem?"

1. don't want to go out / I'm busy.
2. don't like cake / I'm on a diet.
3. don't want it / I can't afford it.
4. don't like running / I'm tired.
5. don't want to do it / I don't have time.
6. can't / I don't want to.
⑤ Challenge
Finally, try to make your own sentences!
Copyright © Nick Ramsay

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03 Speaking Gym: I can’t help…
ESL Materials: Speaking Skills

Practise and change the sentence, "I can't help thinking about tomorrow'sgame.”① Repeat
Repeat your teacher reading the following sentence for 20 seconds.
"I can’t help thinking about tomorrow’s game."② Question
What’s the matter?
Repeat your teacher reading the sentence and the question for 20 seconds.
“I can’t help thinking about tomorrow’s game. What’s the matter?"③ Substitute
Next, practise the sentence, changing "tomorrow’s game" with the following words. Say thesentence three times for each one. Don't forget the question!
“I can’t help thinking about ______. What’s the matter?"● my driving test

● our trip next week

● that news story● what you said earlier④ Practice
Change "thinking about tomorrow’s game" to these phrases. Say each one three times.
Don't forget the question!
“I can’t help _________________. What’s the matter?"

1. worrying about my job interview.
2. feeling nervous around my boss.
3. noticing you’ve changed your hair.
4. laughing when he does that dance.
5. wondering why she didn’t come.
6. scratching my head. It’s so itchy!
⑤ Challenge
Finally, try to make your own sentences!
Copyright © Nick Ramsay

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04 Speaking Gym: I’ve got a bit of… I better…
ESL Materials: Speaking Skills

Practise and change the sentence, "I’ve got a bit of a headache. I bettergo to the doctor’s.”① Repeat
Repeat your teacher reading the following sentence for 20 seconds.
"I’ve got a bit of a headache. I better go to the doctor’s."(I better = I had better)② Question
What’s on your mind?
Repeat your teacher reading the sentence and the question for 20 seconds.
"I’ve got a bit of a headache. I better go to the doctor’s. What’s on your mind?"③ Substitute
Next, practise the sentence, changing "a headache" with the following words. Say thesentence three times for each one. Don't forget the question!
“I’ve got a bit of ______ I better go to the doctor’s. What’s on your mind?"● a cold● a sore throat● a stomachache● a crush on you④ Practice
Change "a headache. I better go to the doctor’s" to these phrases. Say each one threetimes. Don't forget the question!
“I’ve got a bit of _____________________________. What’s on your mind?"

1. homework to finish. I better hurry.
2. a problem at work. I better talk to my boss.
3. a drive ahead of me. I better leave now.
4. gardening to do. I better get started.
5. dirt in my eye. I better wash it out.
6. time off tomorrow. I better not waste it.
⑤ Challenge
Finally, try to make your own sentences!
Copyright © Nick Ramsay

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05 Speaking Gym: I'm having trouble...
ESL Materials: Speaking Skills

Practise and change the sentence, "I’m having trouble with my homeWi-Fi.”① Repeat
Repeat your teacher reading the following sentence for 20 seconds.
"I’m having trouble with my home Wi-Fi."② Question
Can you help?
Repeat your teacher reading the sentence and the question for 20 seconds.
"I’m having trouble with my home Wi-Fi. Can you help?"③ Substitute
Next, practise the sentence, changing "home Wi-Fi" with the following words. Say thesentence three times for each one. Don't forget the question!
"I’m having trouble with my ______. Can you help?"● new laptop● car’s sat nav● YouTube channel● English homework④ Practice
Change "with my home Wi-Fi" to these phrases. Say each one three times. Don't forget thequestion!
"I’m having trouble _____________________________ Can you help?"
1. making new friends at school.
2. learning this song on the guitar.
3. following this recipe for ratatouille.
4. finishing this book. It’s so boring!
5. renewing my driving licence.
6. understanding his Scottish accent.
⑤ Challenge
Finally, try to make your own sentences!
Copyright © Nick Ramsay

nicksenglish.com/courses

06 Speaking Gym: Could you tell me...?
ESL Materials: Speaking Skills

Practise and change the sentence, "Could you tell me where the bus
stop is?”① Repeat
Repeat your teacher reading the following sentence for 20 seconds.
"Could you tell me where the bus stop is?"② Get Attention
Excuse me.
Repeat your teacher reading the sentence with “Excuse me” for 20 seconds.
"Excuse me. Could you tell me where the bus stop is?"③ Substitute
Next, practise the sentence, changing "bus stop" with the following words. Say thesentence three times for each one.
"Excuse me. Could you tell me where the ______ is?"● nearest ATM● IT department● fire extinguisher● “Like” button④ Practice
Change "where the bus stop is" to these phrases. Say each one three times.
"Excuse me. Could you tell me _____________________________?"
1. when dinner’s ready
2. what time the match starts
3. how to get to the M25
4. where I can find a post box
5. why I have to fill in this form
6. what this word means⑤ Challenge
Finally, try to make your own sentences!
Copyright © Nick Ramsay

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07 Speaking Gym: He must be…
ESL Materials: Speaking Skills

Practise and change the sentence, "He must be at work; his car isn’there.”① Repeat
Repeat your teacher reading the following sentence for 20 seconds.
"He must be at work; his car isn’t here."② Question
What do you think?
Repeat your teacher reading the sentence and the question for 20 seconds.
"He must be at work; his car isn’t here. What do you think?"③ Substitute
Next, practise the sentence, changing "work" and “car” with the following words. Say thesentence three times for each one. Be careful with isn’t and aren’t.
"He must be at ______; his ______ isn’t / aren’t here. What do you think?"● the gym / trainers● the office / briefcase● school / uniform● the concert / glow sticks④ PracticeUse “must be” in the following sentences. Say each one three times. Don't forget thequestion!
"____ must be _____________________________ What do you think?"
1. She … tired; she’s been working all day.
2. He … in a meeting; his phone is off.
3. She … asleep; the lights are off.
4. He … stuck in traffic; he’s not usually late.
5. They … on holiday; there’s no one home.
6. It … time to go; we’re the last ones here!
⑤ Challenge
Finally, try to make your own sentences!
Copyright © Nick Ramsay