STANAG English Academy | Level 1 Speaking | Task 1 General Conversation | Topics 1–5
Task 1 — General Conversation Topics 1 – 5  ·  STANAG 6001  ·  Level 1 Speaking
STANAG 6001Level 1 · Speaking
1Family
2Jobs
3Daily Routine
4Education
5Housing
Topic 1Family
Personal details · Family relations · Friends · JFLT / STANAG 6001 Level 1
Examiner Questions
Key Vocabulary
Model Dialogue
Essential Grammar
Task 1 · General Conversation
The examiner will ask you questions about your family, personal background, and the people in your life. Speak naturally for 2–3 minutes.
Q1Can you tell me about your family? Do you have brothers or sisters?
Q2Are you married? Do you have children?
Q3Where are you from originally? Is your family from the same place?
Q4What do you usually do with your family at the weekend?
Q5Tell me about your best friend. How long have you known them?
Q6How often do you see your parents or relatives?
Speaking PracticeAnswer each question aloud. Aim for 3–4 sentences per answer. Record yourself and listen back for fluency and accuracy.
Key Vocabulary · Topic 1 · Family
family
parents
mother
father
brother
sister
husband
wife
son
daughter
grandparents
relative
married
single
divorced
engaged
close
friend
colleague
neighbour
Vocabulary PracticeRead each word aloud clearly. Record and check your pronunciation before practising the dialogue.
ExaminerCan you tell me about your family?
CandidateYes, of course. I have a small family. I am married and I have one son. He is seven years old. My parents live in the same city as me, so I see them quite often.
ExaminerDo you have any brothers or sisters?
CandidateYes, I have one younger sister. She lives in Rome and she works as a nurse. We speak on the phone every week but we only see each other two or three times a year.
ExaminerWhat do you usually do with your family at the weekend?
CandidateAt the weekend we usually have lunch together on Sunday. Sometimes we visit my parents or we go for a walk in the park with my son. It is a good time to relax and spend time together.
ExaminerTell me about a close friend of yours.
CandidateMy best friend is Marco. I have known him since school — for about fifteen years. He is very funny and always helpful. We do not see each other very often now because he moved to another city, but we are still very close.
Model DialogueRead the candidate’s lines aloud, then cover them and try from memory. Notice the length and detail of each answer.
Key grammar structures for Topic 1 · Family
Structure 1 · Describing Family with Have
I have + number + noun (family member)
“I have one younger sister.”  ·  “I have a small family.”
Structure 2 · Present Simple for Habits
We usually + verb + time phrase
“We usually have lunch together on Sunday.”
Structure 3 · Present Perfect with Since / For
I have known + person + since + time / for + duration
“I have known him since school — for about fifteen years.”
Structure 4 · Contrast with But
Positive statement + but + contrasting fact
“We do not see each other very often now because he moved, but we are still very close.”
Grammar PracticeMake one new sentence using each structure above. Record and check for accuracy.
Topic 2Jobs
Occupations · Position and duties · Career goals · JFLT / STANAG 6001 Level 1
Examiner Questions
Key Vocabulary
Model Dialogue
Essential Grammar
Task 1 · General Conversation
The examiner will ask you about your job, your duties, and your career. Speak naturally for 2–3 minutes.
Q1What is your job? Can you describe what you do?
Q2How long have you been in the military? What is your rank?
Q3What are your main duties and responsibilities?
Q4Do you enjoy your work? What do you like most about it?
Q5What are your career goals for the future?
Q6Why is English important for your job?
Speaking PracticeAnswer each question aloud. Aim for 3–4 sentences per answer. Record yourself and listen back for fluency and accuracy.
Key Vocabulary · Topic 2 · Jobs
soldier
officer
rank
unit
duty
responsibility
mission
training
career
promotion
experience
colleague
supervisor
headquarters
deployment
assignment
goal
skill
qualification
salary
Vocabulary PracticeRead each word aloud clearly. Record and check your pronunciation before practising the dialogue.
ExaminerWhat is your job? Can you describe what you do?
CandidateI am a sergeant in the Italian Army. I work in a logistics unit and my main duty is to organise the supply of equipment and materials for my battalion.
ExaminerHow long have you been in the military?
CandidateI have been in the military for twelve years. I joined when I was eighteen. It has been a very interesting career with many different experiences and challenges.
ExaminerDo you enjoy your work? What do you like most about it?
CandidateYes, I enjoy it very much. I like working as part of a team and I enjoy the variety — every day is different. I also like the fact that my work is important and has a real purpose.
ExaminerWhy is English important for your job?
CandidateEnglish is very important because we often work with NATO partners. I need to communicate with soldiers from other countries during exercises and operations. Good English also helps me to read technical documents and reports.
Model DialogueRead the candidate’s lines aloud, then cover them and try from memory. Notice the length and detail of each answer.
Key grammar structures for Topic 2 · Jobs
Structure 1 · Describing Your Job
I am a + rank / job title + in + organisation
“I am a sergeant in the Italian Army.”
Structure 2 · Present Perfect for Duration
I have been + in/at + place + for + period
“I have been in the military for twelve years.”
Structure 3 · I Need to + Infinitive
I need to + verb + object + context
“I need to communicate with soldiers from other countries.”
Structure 4 · I Like + Noun / Verb-ing
I like + noun phrase / verb-ing + and + I enjoy + verb-ing
“I like working as part of a team and I enjoy the variety.”
Grammar PracticeMake one new sentence using each structure above. Record and check for accuracy.
Topic 3Daily Routine
Everyday activities · Housework · JFLT / STANAG 6001 Level 1
Examiner Questions
Key Vocabulary
Model Dialogue
Essential Grammar
Task 1 · General Conversation
The examiner will ask you about your typical day, your morning routine, and your everyday activities. Speak naturally for 2–3 minutes.
Q1Can you describe your typical working day? What time do you start?
Q2What time do you wake up? What do you do in the morning before work?
Q3What do you usually do in the evening after work?
Q4Do you do housework? What jobs do you do at home?
Q5Is your routine different at the weekend? What changes?
Q6Do you prefer to be busy or do you like a relaxed routine?
Speaking PracticeAnswer each question aloud. Aim for 3–4 sentences per answer. Record yourself and listen back for fluency and accuracy.
Key Vocabulary · Topic 3 · Daily Routine
wake up
get up
breakfast
shower
commute
start work
lunch break
finish work
cook dinner
housework
cleaning
shopping
exercise
relax
go to bed
routine
alarm clock
busy
tired
free time
Vocabulary PracticeRead each word aloud clearly. Record and check your pronunciation before practising the dialogue.
ExaminerCan you describe your typical working day?
CandidateYes. On a typical working day I wake up at six o’clock. I have a shower, get dressed, and have a quick breakfast. I usually eat some bread and drink coffee. I start work at seven thirty.
ExaminerWhat do you usually do in the evening after work?
CandidateI finish work at five o’clock and then I go home. I usually cook dinner and eat with my family. After dinner I sometimes watch television or read. I go to bed at about ten thirty.
ExaminerDo you do housework? What jobs do you do at home?
CandidateYes, I help with the housework. I usually do the cleaning at the weekend — I vacuum the floors and clean the bathroom. My wife does most of the cooking during the week but I cook on Sundays.
ExaminerIs your routine different at the weekend?
CandidateYes, it is very different. I wake up later, at about eight o’clock. I do not have a fixed schedule so I can relax and do the things I enjoy. The weekend feels much more free.
Model DialogueRead the candidate’s lines aloud, then cover them and try from memory. Notice the length and detail of each answer.
Key grammar structures for Topic 3 · Daily Routine
Structure 1 · Time Sequencing
I + verb + at + time. Then I + verb.
“I start work at seven thirty. I finish at five o’clock and then I go home.”
Structure 2 · Frequency Adverbs
I usually / sometimes / often + verb + object
“I usually cook dinner.”  ·  “I sometimes watch television.”
Structure 3 · Contrast Between Weekday and Weekend
On weekdays I … but at the weekend I …
“I wake up at six on weekdays but at the weekend I wake up later.”
Structure 4 · I Can + Infinitive for Freedom
I can + verb + because + reason
“I can relax and do the things I enjoy.”
Grammar PracticeMake one new sentence using each structure above. Record and check for accuracy.
Topic 4Education
Schools · Subjects · Language learning · JFLT / STANAG 6001 Level 1
Examiner Questions
Key Vocabulary
Model Dialogue
Essential Grammar
Task 1 · General Conversation
The examiner will ask you about your school years, the subjects you studied, and your experience of learning languages. Speak naturally for 2–3 minutes.
Q1Where did you go to school? Did you enjoy it?
Q2What was your favourite subject at school? Why did you like it?
Q3Did you go to university or college? What did you study?
Q4How long have you been learning English? How do you practise?
Q5Do you think languages are important to learn? Why?
Q6What is the most difficult thing about learning English for you?
Speaking PracticeAnswer each question aloud. Aim for 3–4 sentences per answer. Record yourself and listen back for fluency and accuracy.
Key Vocabulary · Topic 4 · Education
school
university
college
subject
mathematics
history
science
geography
language
teacher
student
exam
degree
certificate
graduate
study
practise
fluent
vocabulary
grammar
Vocabulary PracticeRead each word aloud clearly. Record and check your pronunciation before practising the dialogue.
ExaminerWhere did you go to school? Did you enjoy it?
CandidateI went to a state school in my hometown. I enjoyed it overall, although I found some subjects quite difficult. I was good at history and sport but I was not very good at mathematics.
ExaminerDid you go to university? What did you study?
CandidateNo, I did not go to university. After school I joined the military. However, I have done several training courses and professional qualifications during my military career.
ExaminerHow long have you been learning English? How do you practise?
CandidateI have been learning English for about five years. I study with a teacher twice a week and I also watch films and series in English at home. I find listening to English a very useful way to improve.
ExaminerWhat is the most difficult thing about learning English for you?
CandidateFor me the most difficult thing is pronunciation. Some English sounds are very different from Italian and I have to practise a lot. I also find it difficult to speak quickly without making mistakes.
Model DialogueRead the candidate’s lines aloud, then cover them and try from memory. Notice the length and detail of each answer.
Key grammar structures for Topic 4 · Education
Structure 1 · Simple Past for School Experiences
I went to + place. I studied / enjoyed / found + noun + adjective.
“I went to a state school. I found some subjects quite difficult.”
Structure 2 · Good at / Not Good at
I was good at + subject / I was not very good at + subject
“I was good at history but I was not very good at mathematics.”
Structure 3 · Present Perfect for Ongoing Learning
I have been + verb-ing + for + period
“I have been learning English for about five years.”
Structure 4 · I Find it + Adjective + to + Infinitive
I find it + adjective + to + verb
“I find it difficult to speak quickly without making mistakes.”
Grammar PracticeMake one new sentence using each structure above. Record and check for accuracy.
Topic 5Housing
Address · Houses and flats · Furnishings · Neighbourhood · JFLT / STANAG 6001 Level 1
Examiner Questions
Key Vocabulary
Model Dialogue
Essential Grammar
Task 1 · General Conversation
The examiner will ask you about where you live, your home, and your neighbourhood. Speak naturally for 2–3 minutes.
Q1Where do you live? Do you live in a house or a flat?
Q2Can you describe your home? How many rooms does it have?
Q3Do you like where you live? What is your neighbourhood like?
Q4What is your favourite room in your home? Why?
Q5Do you live alone or with other people?
Q6Would you like to live somewhere different in the future? Where and why?
Speaking PracticeAnswer each question aloud. Aim for 3–4 sentences per answer. Record yourself and listen back for fluency and accuracy.
Key Vocabulary · Topic 5 · Housing
house
flat
apartment
room
bedroom
living room
kitchen
bathroom
garden
floor
furniture
sofa
neighbourhood
street
city centre
suburb
quiet
noisy
comfortable
rent
Vocabulary PracticeRead each word aloud clearly. Record and check your pronunciation before practising the dialogue.
ExaminerWhere do you live? Do you live in a house or a flat?
CandidateI live in a flat in a town near the military base. It is on the third floor of a modern building. I rent it and I have lived there for about two years.
ExaminerCan you describe your home?
CandidateIt is not very big but it is comfortable. There are two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom. The living room has a sofa, a television, and a bookshelf. I like it because it is clean and modern.
ExaminerWhat is your neighbourhood like?
CandidateMy neighbourhood is quite quiet and safe. There is a supermarket, a park, and a few restaurants nearby. I can walk to the town centre in about ten minutes which is very convenient.
ExaminerWould you like to live somewhere different in the future?
CandidateYes, I would like to buy a house with a garden one day, ideally in the countryside but not too far from the city. I think it would be a better place to raise children and I love the idea of having more space.
Model DialogueRead the candidate’s lines aloud, then cover them and try from memory. Notice the length and detail of each answer.
Key grammar structures for Topic 5 · Housing
Structure 1 · Describing Location
I live in + place + description of location
“I live in a flat in a town near the military base.”
Structure 2 · There is / There are
There is a + noun. There are + number + nouns.
“There is a supermarket and a park nearby.”  ·  “There are two bedrooms.”
Structure 3 · Present Perfect for Duration
I have lived + there / in + place + for + period
“I have lived there for about two years.”
Structure 4 · Would Like to + Future Wish
I would like to + verb + noun + one day / in the future
“I would like to buy a house with a garden one day.”
Grammar PracticeMake one new sentence using each structure above. Record and check for accuracy.
STANAG English Academy  |  JFLT  |  Level 1 Speaking STANAG 6001  ·  Task 1 General Conversation  ·  Topics 1–5  ·  Page 1 of 3
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