Free printable English speaking resources for adults and teachers. Build more confident B1–B2 conversations with a structured workbook, 60 roleplay cards, a four-week speaking challenge and classroom-ready teaching notes. No account, payment or email address required.

Best for: adult intermediate learners, English conversation clubs, ESOL and EFL teachers, study partners and independent learners. Choose a question, speak out loud, reflect and try again.

Get the free toolkit: four PDF downloads

All four files are available immediately. Open them on a phone, save for offline use or print for classroom practice.

• Download the 30-page learner workbook (PDF, free)
• Download all 60 printable speaking cards (PDF, free)
• Download the 28-day speaking challenge (PDF, free)
• Download the teacher and study-partner guide (PDF, free)

Start here: New to the method? Open the workbook first. Working with a class? Download the cards and teacher guide. Want a simple routine? Follow the 28-day challenge.

Why this toolkit is different

• It teaches speaking structures, not just isolated vocabulary lists.
• Every conversation card includes an accessible question and a B2 stretch challenge for more advanced responses.
• The exercises model real interaction: follow-up questions, polite disagreement, clarifying, paraphrasing and practical roleplays.
• The teacher guide includes ready-to-run 45-minute and 75-minute speaking lessons.
• Everything is free to use; no mandatory sign-up or paywall.

The six speaking formulas

• Answer + Reason + Example + Detail: Make a short answer clearer and more informative.
• React + Ask + Share + Return: Keep a conversation natural instead of asking one question after another.
• Position + Support + Other View + Conclusion: Express an opinion and acknowledge a different perspective.
• Setting + Problem + Response + Result: Tell a story listeners can follow.
• Context + Request + Reason + Confirmation: Make clear, courteous requests and confirm next steps.
• Pause + Rephrase + Explain + Check: Recover when you cannot remember a word or need thinking time.

Try this now: “What is the best way to become confident when speaking English?” Speak for one minute with the first formula. Repeat with fewer notes.

Try 12 online speaking activities

Open any question to reveal useful language, a harder B2 challenge and a follow-up question. You can speak alone, with a partner or in a group. Your answers are not recorded or sent to us.

Longer answers

What is one thing you have enjoyed learning recently?

Useful phrases: build confidence; make progress

B2 stretch: Say why it matters, give a specific example and explain how you will use it.

Follow-up question: How did you start?

Practice method: Plan for one minute, speak for one minute, reflect and speak again.

Describe a place where you feel comfortable.

Useful phrases: feel at ease; a sense of belonging

B2 stretch: Compare it with another place and explain what makes the difference.

Follow-up question: What would you change about it?

Practice method: Plan for one minute, speak for one minute, reflect and speak again.

Natural conversation

A friend tells you: “I started a new hobby.” What do you say?

Useful phrases: That sounds interesting; What got you into it?

B2 stretch: Respond, add a related experience and ask two different follow-up questions.

Follow-up question: How often do you practise?

Practice method: Plan for one minute, speak for one minute, reflect and speak again.

A colleague says their weekend was very busy. Continue the conversation.

Useful phrases: That reminds me of; Speaking of

B2 stretch: Avoid rapid-fire questions: react, share a detail and return the turn.

Follow-up question: What was the highlight?

Practice method: Plan for one minute, speak for one minute, reflect and speak again.

Opinions and discussions

Should people work from home more often?

Useful phrases: From my perspective; on the other hand

B2 stretch: Evaluate benefits and limitations for two different jobs.

Follow-up question: Would your view change for another profession?

Practice method: Plan for one minute, speak for one minute, reflect and speak again.

Is it better to save money or enjoy life now?

Useful phrases: strike a balance; to some extent

B2 stretch: Acknowledge a counterargument and give a qualified conclusion.

Follow-up question: What factors affect that decision?

Practice method: Plan for one minute, speak for one minute, reflect and speak again.

Stories and experiences

Describe a time your plans changed unexpectedly.

Useful phrases: at first; eventually; fortunately

B2 stretch: Use past perfect for something that had happened earlier and signpost the outcome.

Follow-up question: What did you learn from it?

Practice method: Plan for one minute, speak for one minute, reflect and speak again.

Tell a story about a problem you solved.

Useful phrases: work out; come up with

B2 stretch: Explain two possible solutions and why you chose one.

Follow-up question: Would you do the same again?

Practice method: Plan for one minute, speak for one minute, reflect and speak again.

Workplace and practical English

Ask a colleague to change a meeting time politely.

Useful phrases: Would it be possible; let me confirm

B2 stretch: Offer two reasonable alternatives and confirm the agreed next step.

Follow-up question: What if your colleague cannot change it?

Practice method: Plan for one minute, speak for one minute, reflect and speak again.

Tell your manager about a delayed project.

Useful phrases: on track; given the workload

B2 stretch: Summarise progress, explain risk and negotiate a realistic deadline.

Follow-up question: What support do you need?

Practice method: Plan for one minute, speak for one minute, reflect and speak again.

Flexible fluency and future plans

Describe a personal goal for the next month.

Useful phrases: aim to; keep track of

B2 stretch: Explain milestones, challenges and what might change your plan.

Follow-up question: How will you measure progress?

Practice method: Plan for one minute, speak for one minute, reflect and speak again.

What could your town look like in ten years?

Useful phrases: is likely to; there is a chance

B2 stretch: Compare probable and less likely changes, giving your reasons.

Follow-up question: What evidence supports your prediction?

Practice method: Plan for one minute, speak for one minute, reflect and speak again.

For 48 more conversation prompts, download the complete 60-card deck. It includes six themes and a B2 extension on every card.

The 28-day speaking challenge

A manageable routine: plan (2 minutes), speak (2 minutes), reflect (3 minutes), repeat (3 minutes). You may use your phone’s voice recorder, but recording is optional.

• Week 1 – Longer answers: Build connected answers, reasons, examples and natural follow-up questions.
• Week 2 – Opinions and stories: Disagree politely, acknowledge another view and recount experiences clearly.
• Week 3 – Practical English: Practise requests, clarifications, updates, interviews and negotiation.
• Week 4 – Flexible fluency: Paraphrase, manage pauses, predict, discuss options and measure progress.

The printable 28-day tracker gives a specific activity for each day. Compare your first and final recording to identify changes in clarity and confidence.

For teachers and conversation leaders

Use the materials in adult education, ESOL classes, volunteer conversation groups and one-to-one tutoring. The free teacher guide has 45- and 75-minute lesson templates, suggested student talking time, differentiation and focused feedback questions.

• At B1: Give short planning time, a few helpful expressions and clear speaking goals.
• At B2: Add counterarguments, conditional thinking, spontaneous follow-ups and audience adaptation.
• For everyone: Give the learner time to finish, then feed back on patterns that affect clarity or interaction.

Free classroom use, sharing and attribution

The resources are created by English With Paul. Individual learners and teachers may download, print and share the original PDF files unchanged with credit to English With Paul. Please do not sell or repackage the materials without permission.

Suggested citation: English With Paul (2026), B1–B2 Speaking Confidence Toolkit, learnenglishwithpaul.com. Educators and educational resource websites are welcome to link to this free page.

Important: These are independent practice materials aligned with common B1–B2 communication goals. They are not an official CEFR test, qualification or proficiency certification.

Continue learning

Find more free English speaking guides or explore the B1–B2 speaking course. The toolkit itself will remain free.