SPEAKING Flashcards
(10 cards)
Basic Story Structure:
1. First/Firstly, [Beginning]
- “First, I woke up late and missed my bus.”
-
Then/Next/Second/Secondly, [Middle Action]
- “Then, I had to call a taxi.”
-
After that/Later, [Further Development]
- “After that, the taxi got stuck in traffic!”
-
Finally/In the end, [Conclusion]
- “Finally, I arrived at work 30 minutes late.”
Extra Tips for Natural Flow:
- Add “Luckily/Unfortunately” for drama:
“Unfortunately, my boss saw me come in late.”
- Use “So” to explain results:
“So, I had to work late to finish my tasks.”
Example Story:
“First, my alarm didn’t ring. Then, I spilled coffee on my shirt. After that, I forgot my wallet. Finally, my friend rescued me with a ride!”
Structure to talk about your future goals:
1. Start with Your Main Goal
“I want to become a hairstylist.”
“My dream is to [achieve something].”
2. Explain Why (Motivation)
“Because I love creating visuals and telling stories through art.”
“I’ve always been interested in [field].”
3. Share Your Steps (Plan)
“To achieve this, I will [action 1] and [action 2].”
“I’m taking design courses now, and I’ll apply for internships next year.”
4. End with Hope/Confidence
“I hope to…”
“I believe I can build a strong portfolio and start my own studio one day!”
Full Example:
“My goal is to become a nurse. I love helping people, and healthcare fascinates me. I’m studying biology now, and I’ll apply to nursing school next year. I hope to work in a children’s hospital someday!”
Tips:
- Use “will” for firm plans.
- Use “hope to” for dreams.
- Keep it short (3-4 sentences).
Structure to talk about your life from birth to present
1. Early Childhood
“As a child, I loved [activity/hobby].”
“I was born in 1995 in Hanoi and grew up near the Old Quarter. As a kid, I loved drawing comics.”
2. School/Teen Years
“At [age], I started [hobby/job/interest].”
“In high school, I was good at math but hated history. At 16, I started learning photography.”
3. Adulthood (Education/Career)
“My first job was as a [role] at [company].”
“I studied marketing in college. My first job was as a sales assistant at a local bakery.”
4. Present Life
“These days, I’m focusing on [current goal].”
“Now I’m a graphic designer and enjoy hiking. I’m saving money to travel to Japan next year!”
Full Example:
“I was born in 1990 in Ho Chi Minh City. As a child, I loved playing soccer. In university, I studied computer science. After graduation, I worked as a software developer. Now, I run my own app design company and teach coding to kids on weekends.”
Tips:
- Use past tense for finished events (“I was born,” “I studied”).
- Use present tense for current life (“Now I work,” “I enjoy”).
- Add 1-2 emotions to make it engaging:
“I was nervous when I moved abroad, but it changed my life!”
Structure to talk about your exercise routine
1. Start with Frequency
“I exercise [morning/evening].”
- “I work out 3 times a week.”
2. Mention Activities
“I usually do [activity 1] and [activity 2].”
- “I usually do yoga and jogging.”
- “I lift weights and swim.”
3. Add Duration/Intensity
“Each session lasts about [time].”
- “I run for 30 minutes.”
“I prefer [light/moderate/intense] workouts.”
- “I prefer moderate workouts.”
4. Share Goals/Feelings
“I exercise to [goal].”
- “I exercise to stay healthy.”
“It makes me feel [adjective].”
- “It makes me feel energized!”
Full Example:
“I work out 4 times a week. I usually do 20 minutes of HIIT and 15 minutes of stretching. I exercise to reduce stress, and it makes me feel stronger!”
Bonus:
- Past: “I used to hate running, but now I enjoy it.”
- Future: “I want to try pilates next month.”
Structure to talk about your favorite food and cooking:
1. Name Your Favorite Food
- “My favorite food is pho.”
“I absolutely love [ingredient/dish].”
- “I’m crazy about chocolate chip cookies.”
2. Describe Why You Love It
“I love it because it’s [flavor/texture] and reminds me of [memory].”
- “I love pho because it’s fragrant and reminds me of family dinners.”
- “The crispy crust and gooey cheese make pizza my comfort food.”
3. Talk About Cooking It
“I [often/sometimes] cook it myself.”
“My secret is adding [ingredient/technique].”
- “I sometimes make pho on weekends—my trick is charring the ginger first.”
- “I bake cookies every Christmas; I add extra vanilla for flavor.”
4. Share a Fun Detail
“Once, I [funny/special cooking story].”
- “Once, I burned the garlic—now I’m careful with the heat!”
“I want to learn how to [related cooking goal].”
- “I’d love to learn to decorate cakes like a pro.”
Full Example:
“My favorite food is pad thai. I adore the sweet-sour flavor and chewy noodles. I cook it every Friday; my secret is soaking the rice noodles overnight. Last time, I added too much chili—it was fiery but delicious!”
Tips:
- Use present tense for habits (“I cook,” “I love”).
- Use past tense for stories (“I burned,” “I added”).
- Gesture or smile when describing flavors—it makes it engaging!
(Ra hiệu hoặc mỉm cười khi mô tả hương vị — điều đó khiến bạn trở nên cuốn hút hơn!)
Structure to talk about your favorite activities:
1. Introduce Your Favorite Activity
“My favorite activity is [activity].”
- “My favorite activity is hiking.”
“I really enjoy [activity].”
- “I really enjoy playing the guitar.”
2. Explain Why You Like It
“I love it because it’s [adjective] and makes me feel [adjective].”
“It helps me [benefit].”
Examples:
- “I love hiking because it’s peaceful and makes me feel close to nature.”
- “Playing the guitar helps me relax after work.”
3. Share How Often You Do It
“I [activity] [frequency].”
Examples:
- “I go hiking every weekend.”
- “I play the guitar almost every day.”
4. Add a Fun Detail or Memory
“Once, I [funny/special memory].”
“My goal is to [related future plan].”
Examples:
- “Once, I got lost on a hike but found a beautiful waterfall!”
- “My goal is to learn a new song every month.”
Full Example:
“My favorite activity is painting. I love it because it’s creative and makes me feel calm. I paint twice a week. Last month, I finished my first landscape painting—I was so proud!”
Tips:
- Use present tense for regular activities (“I paint,” “I enjoy”).
- Use past tense for stories (“I got lost,” “I finished”).
- Keep it short and personal—add emotions!
Structure for any topic to find matching vocabulary and phrases:
1. Introduction (1-2 sentences)
“Today, I’d like to talk about [topic].”
“This is important because [reason].”
How to find vocab:
- Google: “Why is [topic] important?” → Pick key phrases.
- Use WordHippo.com for synonyms.
Example (Topic: Coffee)
“Let’s talk about coffee. It’s popular because it boosts energy and brings people together.”
2. Three Main Ideas (1-2 sentences each)
Idea 1: “First, [main point].”
Idea 2: “Second, [main point].”
Idea 3: “Finally, [main point].”
How to find vocab:
- Search: “[Topic] benefits/drawbacks/facts” → Use headlines/articles.
- Try ChatGPT: “Give me 3 points about [topic] with simple vocabulary.”
Example (Coffee)
1. “First, coffee has caffeine, which helps people focus.”
2. “Second, it’s part of many cultures, like Italian espresso.”
3. “Finally, too much coffee can cause sleep problems.”
3. Conclusion (1 sentence)
“In conclusion, [topic] is [summary adjective] because [recap main ideas].”
How to find vocab:
- Use a thesaurus for strong closing words (e.g., “useful,” “controversial,” “amazing”).
Example:
“In conclusion, coffee is useful but needs balance.”
Bonus: Vocabulary Sources
1. YouTube videos on your topic → Listen for repeated words.
2. Reddit threads (e.g., “r/explainlikeimfive”) → Casual phrases.
3. Instagram/TikTok captions → Short, modern expressions.
speak English to a stranger in a way that fascinates them you need a strategy that creates instant connection and curiosity.
🔹 Strategy: “The Hook + Curiosity + Personal Vibe”
✅ Step 1: Start with a natural, context-based hook
This means observe your surroundings and say something specific, not generic.
Examples:
- “That book you’re reading — is it as intense as it looks?”
- “I noticed your tattoo. There’s a story behind that, right?”
- “You’ve got great taste in music. What’s the last concert you went to?”
Why it works: You’re not saying “Hi, how are you?” — you’re showing interest in something personal and visible. That’s engaging.
✅ Step 2: Add curiosity – give a twist
After your first sentence, add a personal reaction or ask something they don’t expect.
Examples:
- “It reminds me of a book that completely messed with my head. Ever had one of those?”
- “I’ve always wondered what people with tattoos would never get inked — what’s off-limits for you?”
- “I’ve been trying to upgrade my playlist. What’s a song you’d never delete, no matter what?”
Now you’re moving from small talk → real talk.
✅ Step 3: Match their vibe and show personality
Speak with energy, eye contact, and light humor if possible. Mirror their tone. If they’re relaxed, you relax. If they’re excited, lean into it.
Bonus lines to sound more natural and deep:
- “That’s actually cooler than I expected.”
- “Most people wouldn’t think of it that way — I like how you said that.”
- “Wait, now you’ve got me curious…”
🎯 The Goal: Make them feel seen, heard, and a little surprised. That’s what fascinates people.
🔄 Quick Sample Dialogue:
You:
“That’s a cool camera — are you a photographer or just pretending to be one?” (Hook + playful curiosity)
Stranger:
“Haha, I do a bit of both. Mostly for fun.”
You:
“Nice. I tried once but ended up with 200 blurry pictures of my dog’s nose. What do you usually shoot?”
Now they’re engaged, laughing, and talking — mission accomplished.
Chiến lược “Hook + Curiosity + Personal Vibe”
☕ 1. Tại quán cà phê
Hook:
“That drink looks way better than mine — what did you order?”
Curiosity:
“I always try something new but end up regretting it. Is that your go-to or an experiment?”
Stranger:
“Haha, this is my regular. I don’t like surprises with coffee.”
You:
“Respect. Coffee roulette has burned me too many times.” (cười nhẹ, tạo kết nối)
🌳 2. Tại công viên (gặp người đi dạo với chó)
Hook:
“Your dog looks like he runs the whole park.”
Curiosity:
“Does he actually listen to you, or is this a one-way relationship?”
Stranger:
“Honestly, I just follow him around.”
You:
“Classic. Dogs: 1. Humans: still trying.”
🎉 3. Tại một sự kiện/networking
Hook:
“Everyone seems to know what they’re doing here. Did you get the memo?”
Curiosity:
“I always feel like the odd one out at these things. How do you usually survive them?”
Stranger:
“Haha, I fake confidence and look for the coffee table.”
You:
“That’s smarter than my plan — I just talk to whoever looks equally confused.”
📚 4. Trong lớp học/khoá học
Hook:
“This course is either genius or absolute chaos — I can’t tell yet.”
Curiosity:
“Do you think we’ll actually learn something, or is this just for the attendance certificate?”
Stranger:
“Depends on the teacher’s mood, I guess.”
You:
“So we’re gambling with our time. Classic student life.”
🧰 5. Tại nơi làm việc mới hoặc buổi orientation
Hook:
“I’ve been here five minutes and already forgot three names. Is that a record?”
Curiosity:
“How long did it take you to stop feeling lost in this place?”
Stranger:
“Still waiting for that moment, to be honest.”
You:
“Comforting. Misery loves company.”
Kỹ năng giao tiếp “level cao” — từ bắt chuyện tự nhiên, chuyển sang trò chuyện sâu, rồi đến xin liên lạc mà không gượng gạo
⚡ Chiến lược 3 giai đoạn:
1. Hook (Bắt chuyện) → 2. Deepen (Trò chuyện sâu) → 3. Connect (Xin liên lạc tự nhiên)
✅ 1. Hook – Bắt chuyện tự nhiên (Bạn đã nắm rồi)
Dùng quan sát + câu hỏi dí dỏm/độc đáo để khơi gợi phản ứng và thu hút sự chú ý.
Ví dụ:
> “That book looks intense — are you reading it for pleasure or pain?”
✅ 2. Deepen – Chuyển sang trò chuyện sâu (mà không bị “quá đà”)
Mục tiêu: từ chuyện nhỏ → chia sẻ cảm xúc, quan điểm, kinh nghiệm
Chiêu: dùng các từ như “ever felt…“, “have you noticed…“, “what’s your take on…“
🔹 Mẫu câu:
- “Ever felt like that book actually describes your life a little too well?”
- “What’s your take on people who read self-help books but never change?”
- “I’ve always wondered — do people read to escape or to find themselves?”
👉 Khi đối phương trả lời, hãy chia sẻ một mẩu ngắn về bạn:
> “Same here. I used to read just to escape, but now it feels more like searching for meaning.”
🔁 Lúc này bạn và họ không còn là người lạ nữa, mà đang đồng cảm ở cấp độ cá nhân.
✅ 3. Connect – Xin liên lạc tự nhiên (không bị “salesy” hay đột ngột)
🎯 Nguyên tắc: Gợi lý do + Nhẹ nhàng đề xuất + Tùy chọn mở
🔹 Cách 1: Gợi lý do kết nối theo nội dung vừa nói
> “You’ve got good taste in books — I might need recommendations from you later. Are you on Instagram or LinkedIn?”
> “I’d love to hear how you end up liking that course. Want to stay in touch?”
🔹 Cách 2: Biến nó thành lời mời mềm
> “Next time you’re here, we should compare coffee disasters. Mind if I grab your number?”
> “If you ever wanna swap book reviews or movie rants, hit me up — do you use WhatsApp?”
🔹 Cách 3: Chuyển thành đề nghị tiếp tục mối quan tâm chung
> “We should totally continue this convo — I don’t meet many people who think like that. Instagram?”
> “You’ve got a cool vibe. I’m curious to see what you’re into beyond this — connect online?”
