IB Spanish ab initio Discussion Skills Habilidades De Discusión Notes

Discussion Skills: Mastering the Interactive Part of the IO

1. The Importance of the Discussion
   1. The discusión (discussion) section of the IO tests if you can escuchar (listen), responder (respond), and desarrollar ideas (develop ideas) naturally.
   2. Unlike the presentación (presentation), you do not control the questions.
   3. This makes it the most impredecible (unpredictable) part of the exam.
   4. It is your best chance to show you are a comunicador flexible (flexible communicator).

1. Key Strategies for a Successful Conversation
   1. Escucha atentamente (Listen carefully)
      1. The job of the examinador (examiner) is to test the depth of your comprensión (understanding).
      2. If you rush or only half-listen, you might give an irrelevante (irrelevant) answer.
      3. Listening shows respect and helps you adaptar (adapt) your response.
      4. It is okay to take a second or two of silencio (silence) to process the information.
   2. Responde con PEE (Respond with PEE)
      1. Strong answers have layers, while a frase corta (short sentence) sounds too vague.
      2. Use the PEE structure: Punto (Point), Evidencia (Evidence), and Explicación (Explanation).
      3. This structure helps you reach the bandas de calificación más altas (higher mark bands).
   3. Usa conectores (Use connectors)
      1. In habla espontánea (spontaneous speech), ideas can become messy.
      2. Conectores (connectors) keep your argument claro y lógico (clear and logical).
      3. Memorize a small repertorio (repertoire) of phrases to start, contrast, and conclude.
   4. Mantente flexible (Stay flexible)
      1. The examinador (examiner) might change the direction of the conversation unexpectedly.
      2. This is not a trick, but a way to see if you can handle a conversación natural (natural conversation).