Talk for 30 seconds about…

Teaching notes

Twelve short speaking topics, such as a person you admire, an app you couldn't live without or a tradition in your country, each to talk about for 30 seconds without stopping. They build fluency at B1: describing, giving reasons and examples, and using fillers like "Well…" or "Let me think" instead of going silent.

A learner picks a number, gets ten seconds to think, then talks while you or a classmate keeps time. The class asks one question at the end. In pairs or small groups, learners take turns with the same topic, and the listener says back one thing they heard. Make it harder with 60 seconds or a rule against "um". Switch it to Spin the wheel or Speaking cards, or print the list as speaking homework.