3 tips to master CELPIP Speaking Task 6

Hello Reader,

Speaking Task 6—dealing with a difficult situation—can feel like one of the tougher speaking task questions you’ll face on the CELPIP exam.

The challenge? How to stay firm without sounding rude?

Here are some ideas from one of my most downloaded speaking skills focused podcast episodes, with over 6,000 downloads. In it, I share how one of my clients handled a challenging speaking task question.

She had to refuse a customer’s request, and she nailed it by following these three practical steps that you can (and should!) steal for your speaking task responses:

1. Use Your Imagination: Don’t just read the prompt; pretend you are actually there or that it is happening to you.
2. Be Firm but Kind: Stick to your decision, but explain why clearly and politely.
3. Show Empathy: Use a tone that shows you care about the other person’s feelings.

In my CELPIP Speaking Program, we practice these “quick thinking” strategies until they become second nature with unlimited one-on-one practice with personal feedback from me. This means that if one (or many) of the speaking tasks give you trouble, we’ll focus on it together until you feel completely ready.

My promise to you? If you are an introvert, I will help you feel calm and confident as you answer each speaking task question on the CELPIP.

Join my CELPIP Speaking Skills Program now! Let’s make 2026 the year you achieve the score you need on the CELPIP!

 Join for just $197/month.

How it works:

• The Private Feed: You get access to a private, members-only podcast feed. No videos to sit and watch. Just hit play while you’re commuting, at the gym, or on your lunch break.
• 5-Minute Sprints: If you have 5 minutes, you have time to practice. Each lesson is designed to be short, punchy, and actionable.
• We work together on the Signal App: This isn’t a “set it and forget it” course. We will be working together via Signal. You send me your practice recordings whenever you have time, and I’ll send you direct feedback.*
• No Appointments: No Zoom links, no time zones to calculate, and no “showing up” at a specific time. Whether it’s 2am or 2pm, you go at the speed you need.