Speaking EOI C1 & C2: Education
- WEBCI Online English material
- 6 days ago
- 7 min read
🧾 Instructions (EOI Oral Exam Style)
You are going to talk about the topic “Education” and the following subtopics:
Memories of school
Spain at the rear of Europe in education
ChatGPT for educational purposes
The bilingual programme in Spain
You have 1–2 minutes to prepare and then 4–5 minutes to speak.Try to use advanced vocabulary, idioms, and phrasal verbs naturally.
🗣️ Monologue
When I think about education, the first thing that comes to mind is how much it has shaped who we are. If I look back on my school days, I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, they were full of laughter, friendships, and teachers who truly brought out the best in me. On the other hand, the system sometimes felt rigid and outdated, focusing too much on memorisation instead of creativity. Still, those years taught me resilience, teamwork, and curiosity — qualities that stick with you for life.
Now, if we talk about Spain’s educational system, it’s often said that we are at the rear of Europe when it comes to academic performance. Unfortunately, statistics don’t lie. We still struggle with high dropout rates, unequal access to quality education, and an excessive focus on theory rather than practice. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but if we want to catch up with other countries, we really need to go the extra mile in reforming our schools. That means better teacher training, more investment, and a system that values innovation over rote learning.
One innovation that’s already transforming classrooms is artificial intelligence — and here comes the elephant in the room: ChatGPT. Some people see it as a threat, claiming students might use it to cut corners or get away with cheating. But I see it differently. If used wisely, tools like ChatGPT can enhance critical thinking, help students look things up more efficiently, and even spark curiosity about complex topics. Instead of banning it, we should teach students how to use it responsibly, just as we once learned to use the Internet or calculators.
Another fascinating aspect of Spanish education is the bilingual programme. On paper, it sounds like a dream come true — learning English through subjects like history or science. And in many schools, it really pays off. Students end up being more confident, open-minded, and better prepared for a globalised world. However, the truth is that results are quite uneven. In some regions, there’s a lack of qualified teachers, and sometimes the focus on language overshadows the content itself. If we really want bilingual education to work, we need consistency, proper training, and resources — not just enthusiasm.
All in all, education is the foundation of a healthy society. It should equip students with the skills to think critically, adapt to change, and make informed decisions. Spain still has a long way to go, but with innovation, openness, and a willingness to learn from our mistakes, I truly believe we can turn things around. After all, education is not just about passing exams — it’s about shaping minds, building bridges, and preparing for the future.
📚 Resources Used
🔹 Advanced Vocabulary
Resilience – the ability to recover from challenges.
Rote learning – memorising without understanding.
Dropout rate – percentage of students leaving school early.
Innovation / reform / investment – progress-oriented changes.
Critical thinking – analysing ideas deeply.
Unequal access – disparity in educational opportunities.
Bilingual education – learning in two languages.
Qualified teachers – educators with appropriate training.
Lifelong learning – continuing to learn throughout life.
🔹 Idioms
A bitter pill to swallow – something unpleasant that must be accepted.
Go the extra mile – make additional effort.
Catch up with – reach the same level as others.
Elephant in the room – an obvious issue no one wants to discuss.
Cut corners – do something in a lazy or dishonest way.
Pay off – bring good results.
Turn things around – improve a bad situation.
Build bridges – create understanding or cooperation.
Stick with you – remain in your memory.
🔹 Phrasal Verbs
Look back on – reflect on something from the past.
Bring out – highlight or reveal talent.
Catch up with – reach someone’s level or progress.
Look things up – search for information.
Get away with – avoid punishment or responsibility.
Cut down on – reduce.
Turn around – improve dramatically.
Equip with – provide with the necessary tools or skills.
Overshadow – make something less important or visible.
💡 EOI Speaking Tips
✅ Start with a personal anecdote to sound natural.✅ Use contrasting connectors (on the one hand / on the other hand / still / all in all).✅ Finish with a reflective or hopeful statement.✅ Avoid lists — speak in paragraphs that sound spontaneous but structured.
🎭 EOI C1–C2 Dialogue – Traditional vs. Innovative Education
🧾 Context:
Two teachers are discussing education reform at a staff meeting.Role A believes in traditional education with exams and structure.Role B defends modern, innovative methods focused on creativity, projects, and continuous assessment.
💬 Dialogue
Role A:You know, sometimes I feel we’re losing sight of what real education means. All these new trends — project-based learning, AI tools, gamification — they sound appealing, but at the end of the day, exams are what keep students accountable. Without them, how can we truly measure progress?
Role B:I understand your point, but I completely disagree. Exams are outdated; they put too much pressure on students and often assess memory rather than understanding. We need to move away from that system. Education should be about critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving, not just memorising facts that will be forgotten after the test.
Role A:But exams bring out discipline, structure, and responsibility. When students prepare for them, they learn to stick to deadlines and manage stress — valuable life skills! If we just let them do projects all the time, they’ll end up taking things for granted.
Role B:That might have been true years ago, but we’re educating a new generation. These students are growing up in the digital era. We can’t just stick to 19th-century methods and expect 21st-century results. Education should adapt to change, not resist it. Instead of standard exams, we could use continuous assessment, presentations, and teamwork. That’s what prepares them for the real world.
Role A:Still, we can’t deny that without exams, many students would cut corners or get away with doing the bare minimum. Tests are a way to ensure fairness and objectivity. I mean, ChatGPT and AI tools are already making it easy for students to cheat. If we remove exams, won’t it get even worse?
Role B:Not necessarily. I think we should embrace technology rather than fear it. Tools like ChatGPT can be used to spark curiosity and enhance learning if students are taught how to use them responsibly. It’s not about getting rid of evaluation, but about redefining what learning means.
Role A:Maybe, but I still believe structure matters. The traditional system has stood the test of time. Exams, homework, and clear rules help students build up resilience and self-discipline. Without that foundation, we risk creating a generation that expects everything to come easily.
Role B:I don’t see it that way. Traditional methods often stifle creativity. We end up producing students who can pass exams but can’t think outside the box. I’d rather bring out their curiosity and motivation than make them burn the midnight oil studying for a test that measures nothing but short-term memory.
Role A:But life itself is full of tests! Whether it’s a job interview, a driving exam, or even life decisions, there’s always some form of evaluation. We can’t shield students from pressure forever. Exams teach them to face challenges head-on.
Role B:True, but education isn’t just about testing; it’s about growth. If we focus too much on marks, we lose sight of what really matters — learning for the sake of learning. In my classes, when students work on projects, they open up, they collaborate, and they develop real-world skills. That, to me, is priceless.
Role A:You make a fair point. Maybe we need a balance — some exams to check progress, but also creative activities to bring out their potential. After all, one size doesn’t fit all.
Role B:Exactly! We don’t have to throw the baby out with the bathwater. A hybrid model could work — a mix of structure and innovation. If we meet halfway, we could design an approach that prepares students for life, not just for exams.
Role A:Well said. At the end of the day, both tradition and innovation have their place. As teachers, we should go the extra mile to make sure our students get the best of both worlds.
🎓 Useful Language and Resources
🔹 Advanced Vocabulary
Continuous assessment – ongoing evaluation instead of exams.
Critical thinking – analysing deeply and rationally.
Resilience – ability to recover from difficulties.
Structure / discipline / accountability – core elements of traditional education.
Creativity / adaptability / curiosity – values promoted by modern education.
Educational reform – changes to improve the system.
Hybrid learning – mix of online and face-to-face methods.
Digital literacy – ability to use technology effectively.
🔹 Idioms
Stand the test of time – remain valid or respected.
Throw the baby out with the bathwater – discard something valuable while trying to get rid of what’s bad.
Go the extra mile – make extra effort.
Burn the midnight oil – work late into the night.
Take things for granted – not appreciate something properly.
Think outside the box – think creatively.
Meet halfway – find a compromise.
Lose sight of – forget the main purpose.
At the end of the day – when everything is considered.
🔹 Phrasal Verbs
Bring out – reveal or highlight.
Cut corners – do something in a lazy or dishonest way.
Get away with – avoid punishment or consequences.
Stick to – continue doing something consistently.
Move away from – stop using an old method.
Build up – develop or increase gradually.
Open up – become more expressive or communicative.
Put too much pressure on – make someone feel stressed.
Adapt to – change according to circumstances.
💡 EOI Exam Tips
✅ Use connectors: Having said that, nevertheless, on the other hand, all things considered.✅ Personalise your role: “In my experience as a teacher…”✅ Use intonation to emphasise contrast and emotion.✅ End with a reflective note: “Education is not about filling minds but lighting fires.”
Would you like me to extend this dialogue further — adding a third section where they discuss the impact of bilingual education and technology (e.g., ChatGPT in class) — to make it a complete 8–9 minute C2 debate perfect for the oral exam?
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