CELPIP-General LS practice: listening and speaking

Practise listening

Use one-play audio. Before it starts, scan the question for names, numbers and contrast words such as but or instead. During the audio, write keywords and arrows. After the audio, answer from the speaker's meaning, not from the option that repeats a familiar phrase.

Review each miss by category. Did you lose the subject? Miss a change of plan? Confuse the speaker's opinion with another person's? Miss a number? The category tells you what to do next. For a subject problem, write who wants what. For a change of plan, mark the old plan and the new plan. For a number, practise writing digits quickly.

The official format page lists six listening parts, including problem solving, a daily-life conversation, information, a news item, a discussion and viewpoints. The listening tips guide turns those labels into a one-play routine.

Practise speaking

Use the prompt to choose your first sentence before the timer starts. Then write a few keywords. The recording should have a clear decision, developed support and a finish. If you forget a word, describe it another way and continue. A silent search for the perfect word costs more than a simple phrase.

For a worked sample, imagine choosing between a morning walking group and an evening book club. Say which you recommend first. Give a reason linked to the person's schedule. Add a specific detail, such as meeting neighbours at a park before work. Give another reason and close. This answer is easier to follow because the listener knows the choice from the start.

Use the speaking feedback guide to review one response at a time. The speaking timer on the free tools page helps you repeat the same timing without guessing.

A two-skill week

• Day one: one listening set and a review note for every miss.
• Day two: two speaking tasks, recorded once each.
• Day three: one listening set with a different error category.
• Day four: one speaking task with a new fictional situation.
• Day five: a mixed mini-session, then choose the weaker skill for the next week.

Keep the sessions short enough to repeat. A result without a review is only a number. A review without a new attempt is only a note.

The free set and estimates

The free practice set contains one original speaking task and six original reading questions. Reading is not part of General LS, so use those questions only as extra English practice. The speaking task is the part that matches your route. Writing and speaking quick estimates return a CLB range when available and carry the label Practice estimate, not an official score. The free estimate is capped at five requests per visitor per day.

For a route-specific baseline, take the speaking task first, then use one-play listening material. The free practice set is a short start. Full plans add more timed practice.

Try the free speaking task or see paid practice plans.

Questions