Module 3: SPEAKING. Tips

📰 C1 & C2 Speaking EOI Exam: Instructions for Candidates

Topic: Mass Media and Fake News Total Time: Approximately 15-20 minutes

Task 1: Monologue (Individual Presentation)

(Time: 3-4 minutes per candidate: 2-3 minutes speaking + 1 minute for examiner questions)

Instructions & Expected Development:

1. Preparation: You have 10 minutes to prepare your notes. Focus on structuring a persuasive argument with an introduction, well-defined body paragraphs, and a strong conclusion.

2. Topic: Choose ONE of the following prompts:

   • Prompt A (C1 Focus): "The responsibility for verifying information lies primarily with the individual reader/consumer, not with the social media platforms or news outlets." Discuss the challenges this places on media literacy and propose practical solutions.

     • C1 Development: Focus on practical aspects (e.g., critical thinking, source checking), clear policy proposals, and fluent use of complex sentences and transitional phrases (e.g., Furthermore, conversely, in light of this data).

   • Prompt B (C2 Focus): "To what extent has the blurring of lines between factual reporting, infotainment, and partisan opinion fundamentally undermined the very tenets of public discourse and democratic accountability?" Analyze this phenomenon with reference to the concept of epistemic tribalism.

     • C2 Development: Engage with abstract concepts (e.g., democracy, accountability, ethics). Use highly precise and academic vocabulary (e.g., to erode, journalistic integrity, systemic bias, socio-political ramifications) and complex grammatical structures (e.g., inversion, hypotheticals).

3. Delivery Tip: Do not simply describe fake news; analyze its consequences and the ethical responsibilities of those who produce and consume it.

   
   

Task 2: Interaction (Collaborative Policy Creation)

(Time: 8-10 minutes for 2-3 candidates)

Instructions & Expected Development:

1. Scenario: You are advisors to a national media regulatory body tasked with finding effective ways to combat the spread of disinformation while upholding the principle of free speech.

2. The Challenge: Your group must agree on the TWO most effective and ethical measures from the following three options to be implemented immediately. Discuss the ethical, practical, and financial implications of all three before reaching a consensus.

   Policy OptionActionEthical Dilemma1. Mandatory Disclosure ActCompelling all news media, social platforms, and influencers to publicly disclose the full source and fundingof their content (i.e., who paid for or wrote it).Risks infringing on the confidentiality of sources (whistleblowers) or investigative journalism.2. Media Literacy Tax (MLT)A small tax on all digital advertising revenue, with 100% of the funds ring-fenced for a nationwide, compulsory media literacy curriculum in schools.Could stifle investment in digital media; may not be effective in changing the habits of adult consumers.3. Platform Liability Law (PLL)Social media companies are held financially and legally responsible for content that is proven to be maliciously deceptive after it has been widely circulated (e.g., for 48 hours).Could lead to excessive censorship and over-filtering ("the chilling effect") to avoid fines, suppressing legitimate discourse.

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3. Collaborative Tip: Actively respond to your partner's points, challenging them respectfully. Use precise language for negotiation and hedging.

   
   

🧠 Resolved Ideas and Content for Students

This section provides C1/C2-level concepts and vocabulary for your students to anchor their arguments.

Task 1: Monologue Content

Concept/Argument	C1 Vocabulary/Structure	C2 Vocabulary/Structure
Media Literacy	The crucial importance of teaching students how to identify bias and verify sources. A pragmatic solution would be...	The fight against cognitive biases and the challenge of overcoming confirmation bias. It is incumbent upon us to cultivate...(Nominalization).
The Echo Chamber	People only see news that confirms their views, making them less likely to change their minds. This consequently leads to polarization.	The creation of epistemic bubbles or tribalism, resulting in intellectual insularity. Not only does this lead to polarization, but it also... (Inversion).
Platform Responsibility	Social media companies must employ more moderators and algorithms to take down dangerous content quickly. It is imperative that they act swiftly.	The debate over the editorial versus common carrier status of platforms. Addressing the moral turpitude inherent in prioritizing engagement over safety.

Task 2: Policy Debate C1/C2 Argument Tips

Policy Option	C1 Pro/Con Argument	C2 Ethical/Philosophical Consideration
1. Mandatory Disclosure	Pro: Transparency is key for readers to assess the credibility of the source. Con: Could lead to retaliation against whistleblowers.	The ethical conflict between the public's right to know and the journalist's duty to protect their sources (confidentiality).
2. Media Literacy Tax (MLT)	Pro: Addresses the root cause of the problem (lack of critical skills) and is fiscally sound. Con:It is a long-term solution that won't mitigateimmediate threats.	The concept of civic duty—should the state mandate intellectual self-defense? The risk of creating a nanny state infringing upon private consumption habits.
3. Platform Liability Law (PLL)	Pro: It is the only way to incentivize tech giants to act against harmful content swiftly. Con: Leads to the censorship of legitimate but controversial opinions (chilling effect).	The principle of proportionality—do the fines match the severity of the damage? Analyzing the difference between misinformation (unintentional) and disinformation (malicious intent).

🎯 General C1/C2 Tips for Students

Aspect	C1 Focus (Advanced)	C2 Focus (Proficiency)
Fluency	Maintain a natural, steady pace with minimal reliance on fillers (um, like).	Achieve a smooth, effortless flow, demonstrating the ability to handle complex syntactical demands without hesitation.
Grammar	Consistently use a variety of complex structures: Inversion (e.g., Never before has the media landscape...), Passive Voice for formal distance.	Employ high-level grammatical structures like Nominalization (e.g., It is our responsibility → The responsibility for this...), and Modal Perfects (e.g., They should have anticipated the repercussions).
Vocabulary	Use topic-specific vocabulary accurately: disinformation, scrutiny, accountability, to circulate, credible sources.	Use precise, nuanced, and academic terminology: socio-political ramifications, epistemic crisis, to be complicit in, the bedrock of democracy, moral turpitude.
Interaction	Initiate, respond, and challenge ideas effectively. Use complex phrases for agreement/disagreement: I wholeheartedly concur, While I concede that point.	Steer the conversation and mediate disagreements gracefully. Use rhetorical devices and summarization phrases: To synthesize our points, we have reached an impasse on...