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Practice Exercise 
The Interview 
In small groups, the students will interview one of their classmates and write a follow-up 
report using indirect speech. Alternatively, the class could interview one person, but using 
small groups will give all students more opportunities to speak. 
In their group, students choose a famous person they would like to interview. Someone in 
the group must volunteer to play the role of the famous person. Obviously, the famous 
person has to be someone who is well known to all members in the group. 
Process 
1. Divide the class into groups of 3-5, depending on the size of your class. 
2. Have the students decide who will be the interviewee. 
3. Give the students a few minutes to prepare a few questions. They don’t need to 
think of all their questions ahead of time, as the interview will suggest follow-up 
questions.
4. Have students conduct the interviews for about 15 minutes. They should take notes 
since they will have to write a report.
5. After the interview, the group should compare notes to see that they have all the 
information they need to write their reports.
6. At this point, check the time. If you have enough time left, ask each group to report 
to the class two things they learned from their interview. Again, this will depend 
on how many students are in your class. 

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7. Each student should write a report using indirect speech. They should also include 
a couple of quotes in the report. The person who was interviewed can also write a 
report, but will write from the first person point of view. “I told them ….They asked 
me….” 
 
8. Circulate and help the students where needed.
9.
Students can finish the writing in class or at home for homework.

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