The GCSE speaking exams are just around the corner. If you’re a language teacher, you know this is one of the most intense times of the year.
Students are nervous, time is short, and there’s a lot to cover. But here’s the good news. You don’t have to do it all the hard way. With the right tools and strategies, you can help your students feel confident and ready, without burning yourself out.
Here’s what experienced teachers are doing right now, and how Marvely can help you make every minute count.
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1. Focus on Topics Students Already Know
There is no need to introduce new content at this point. Instead, help students get more confident using what they have already learned. The goal is fluency and familiarity, not more information.
Stick to key GCSE themes like:
- School life
- Holidays and travel
- Free time and hobbies
- Future plans and ambitions
- Local area or social issues
In Marvely, you will find speaking tasks for all of these topics. They are aligned with AQA, Edexcel and Cambridge exam boards. Just pick the tasks that match your lesson, assign them in a few clicks, and let your students practise. This makes revision focused and saves you time in lesson planning.
2. Help Students Practise the Way They’ll Be Tested
The best way to reduce nerves and build confidence is to let students practice in the same format they will be tested in during the real exam.
If students are only doing random speaking tasks or open questions, they might feel lost when the actual exam starts. That’s why it’s so important to use tasks that follow the same structure and style as the GCSE speaking test, so students become familiar with what to expect and how to respond.
Here is what to focus on:
- Role plays with real-life situations, such as ordering food or asking for help
- Photo card tasks where they describe an image and answer related questions
- General conversation questions from common GCSE topics
Marvely provides all of these, fully prepared and matched to each exam board (AQA, Edexcel). Students can practise at school or at home, repeat as needed, and build their skills with confidence.
The more realistic the practice, the calmer your students will be on exam day.
3. Give Students Feedback That Helps Them Improve
The goal right now is to help students improve with every practice session. One of the best ways to do that is by giving them clear, specific feedback so they know what they’re doing well and where they need to improve.
But as a teacher, it is hard to give that level of feedback to every student, especially when time is short.
That is where Marvely helps. After every speaking practice, students get instant feedback on:
- Grammar mistakes and how to correct them
- Ways to sound more fluent and natural
- Better vocabulary choices
- A predicted score that shows their current level
This allows students to reflect, improve, and try again, all on their own. It means they can keep practising outside of class, while still learning from every answer.
As a teacher, you save time. And your students walk into the exam better prepared, because they have already worked through their weak spots.
4. Keep Track of Who Needs Extra Support
In the final stretch before the exam, it helps to know exactly which students are ready and which ones need more practice. You do not need to rely on guesswork or memory.
A simple way to do this is by setting regular speaking tasks and keeping a log of scores, strengths and common errors. That way, you can:
- Identify students who are still struggling with specific topics
- Group students based on their confidence levels
- Plan short, targeted support sessions for those who need it most
If you’re using Marvely, the Teacher Dashboard helps with this by showing you each student’s progress and feedback. It saves you from checking everything manually and helps you focus on the students who need your attention most.
5. Build Confidence With Small, Daily Practice
Confidence comes from repetition. Not long, stressful sessions. But small, consistent speaking practice.
Encourage students to:
- Practise a few questions every day
- Repeat answers to improve fluency
- Record themselves and reflect on their own speaking
This kind of daily habit makes a big difference. You can assign one or two simple tasks each day, or let students choose their favourite topics to speak about. The key is to build routine, not cram.
If your students use Marvely, they can practise independently and get feedback without needing constant supervision. But even without tech, a short speaking routine in or out of class can work wonders.
Let’s Nail These Exams Together 💪
You do not need to overhaul your whole plan or push through loads of extra material at the last minute. The most effective prep comes from doing the basics well:
- Practise topics students already know
- Use exam-style formats
- Give helpful feedback
- Keep students speaking regularly
Whether you use Marvely or your own resources, the goal is to help students feel confident and capable when they walk into their exam.
You’ve already done so much. These final steps are about fine-tuning and building belief.
Marvely is here to support you and your students through the final stretch. Let’s make sure every student walks into their speaking exam feeling confident and ready.