What is interactive communication?

Interactive communication is one of the components that you will be assessed on during your Cambridge speaking test (KET, PET, FCE, CAE). Your examiner is assessing how well you interact with your partner.

How to get the best score:

If you want to be successful in this part of the test, you need to use as many complex grammar structures as you can as well as using a good range of vocabulary. When speaking, try not to hesitate and make sure your responses are relevant and coherent. Intonation is also important, so really focus on articulating what you mean by varying your pitch and tone when necessary. Develop the conversation with your partner as much as possible.

Not everyone can get top marks for grammar, vocabulary or pronunciation, but there’s no reason not to get a 5 for ‘interactive communication’. This mark is for initiating conversation, responding to what your partner has said, and trying to move the discussion towards an outcome.
Acknowledge something the other candidate has said and develop it – just like a conversation in the real world. Try to avoid just giving stock phrases like “I agree with you” and then moving onto a different topic. Say why you agree (or disagree) and discuss the point. For example ‘That’s what I think too because…’. You can ask the other candidate why they have that opinion too

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