speaking exam

speaking exam

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speaking exam

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How to do well on the day of your speaking exam

01

Tricks to help you feel confident

Tricks for success in the exam

Be interesting!

Interact with the other candidate.

Be yourself!

Remember, you need to speak fluently, clearly and accurately. It is important to say as much as you can and to be spontaneous. Do not prepare answers in advance.

How to brainstorm ideas in 2 minutes?

• why? • when? • where? • how? • what?

1. Use Wh-questions. 2. Try to have only two main ideas.

How to give enough explanation?

1. Use examples. Don’t forget to use the signpost ‘For example, ….’ or ‘As examples,..’ 2. Use situations as examples.

1. Always compare the ideas. 2. Use comparative words/phrases.

• better • more useful • the most effective

‘Between this and that, I think this is more effective because …....’

AFTER GREETING, STATE THE SITUATION WHICH IS GIVEN IN THE STIMULUS

1. Do not rush. 2. Make minimal changes.

Situation It is important to care for the environment. What do you think people should do? ‘Good morning. I am syudent A. It is important to care for the environment. What do I think people should do?’

REPEAT THE SITUATION AS A CONCLUSION

1.Include your idea.

Situation It is important to care for the environment. What do you think people should do? Student A : You think people should carpool. Explain. ‘In conclusion, it is important to care for the environment. What do I think people should do? I think people should carpool. That is all from me. Thank you.’

EVALUATION

Note taking • Pay attention to THE REASONS and THE STEPS • Evaluate and challenge the reasons and the steps by comparing and contrasting with other options.

– Task Fulfillment– content – Language – accuracy – Communicative ability – fluency, non-verbal communication, style

PREPARATION

• Sample Responses Situation Fast food outlets have many advantages. What are some of the advantages? Task; Fast food outlets provide a convenient service. Elaborate.

Dos & Don’ts

DOs DON’Ts List your ideas accordingly Write your ideas in paragraph(s) Number your ideas as indicator Read word by word from your paper Maintain natural conversation – eye contact etc.

DELIVERY

LANGUAGE EXPRESSIONS

Introduction Body Conclusion

General + Details • Firstly, … (short sentence) • This is because… • For example, … General + Details • Next, … (short sentence) • This is generally true as… • For example, … General + Details • Next, … (short sentence) • This is due to… • For instance, …

Greet and introduce yourself Good afternoon to examiners My name is ........, State the purpose of presentation •Rephrase situation and task

•Restate the purpose • Finally, I would like to stress one more time that … • Express your hope • It is hoped that by understanding these reasons and steps, (reflect situation)

SAMPLE

Situation

Violence against women has increased steadily over the years. Who could play an effective role in curbing this problem? • Task A: Women themselves could play an effective role in curbing this problem. Explain.

Rephrase – Stating the Purpose

Situation

Violence against women3 has increased steadily over the years. Who could play an effective role in curbing this problem? • Task A: Women themselves could play an effective role in curbing2 this problem. Explain1 . • I am going to explain how women themselves could play an effective role in curbing violence against them.

DELIVERY

LANGUAGE EXPRESSIONS

Introduction Body Conclusion

State group decision • It is agreed that … (refer to task*) • Express your hope • It is hoped that by understanding these reasons and steps, (reflect situation)

Greet and introduce yourself • Good afternoon to examiners and candidates • State the purpose of presentation • Rephrase situation and task*

Asking for and giving opinions • Interrupting and resuming expressing of opinions • Giving encouragement • Expressing agreement/partial agreement/disagreement • Constructive disagreement

SAMPLE

Situation

Violence against women has increased steadily over the years. Who could play an effective role in curbing this problem? Task B: Discuss which of the following would play the most effective role in curbing violence against women. – Women themselves – The authorities – Society – The mass media

SAMPLE LANGUAGE EXPRESSIONS

• Asking for and giving opinions – What do you think of…? – From my point of view… • Interrupting and resuming expressing of opinions – Excuse me for interrupting, but… – As I was saying

SAMPLE LANGUAGE EXPRESSIONS

Giving encouragement – Uh-huh, mm-hmm, yeah, right, yes • Expressing agreement/partial agreement/disagreement – I agree with you – That’s a good point, but… – No, I don’t think so. • Constructive disagreement – I completely understand your concern but I would disagree because…

Speaking tips

Listening to as much English as possible will help to improve your speaking. Listening to songs, podcasts, films, TV series or video clips will help you to feel more confident about speaking. Speak as much English in class as possible. If you speak English regularly in class, you will find it easier to speak in an exam. Slow down! It’s not a race. Before you speak, think carefully about what to say and speak a little slower than normal. Use language you know is correct. Use words and expressions you have used before. If you don’t know a word, think of another way to say it. For example, if you know the word ‘expensive’, but can’t remember the word ‘cheap’, you could say: It’s not expensive. It’s a good price. It’s not a lot of money.

Speaking tips

Listen to yourself while you speak and if you hear a mistake, correct it. Native speakers make mistakes and correct them all the time. Look at the examiner’s or other student’s face and eyes when you speak. Do they understand you? If not, say it again with different words. If you don’t understand the question or the activity, ask the examiner. Say: ‘Could you repeat that, please?’ Always say something. Don’t just say ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Explain your answer with a reason. Say ‘Yes, I agree because....’ If you can choose the question or topic, choose one you know something about. It’s easier to talk about something you know. Speak clearly so that the examiner can hear you. If you find this difficult, practise with a friend at home. Stand at opposite ends of a room and speak to each other in English. Or speak to each other in English on your computers.

Speaking tips

What can you prepare before the exam? Ask your teacher. For example, questions about personal information. Prepare what to say at home and practise with a friend, in front of a mirror or record yourself on your phone or computer. In some exams, there are two examiners. One who talks to you and one who listens. Say hello and goodbye to both examiners, but during the exam, focus on the examiner who talks to you. This is your opportunity to show the examiner what you know. Use your best language and pronunciation. Remember that everyone feels nervous in exams. So, take some deep breaths before the exam and try to relax. Finally, remember that the examiners are normal human beings, not aliens!

Communication strategies

The examiner or teacher won’t expect your speaking to be perfect, or for you to know every single word that you need to do the task. However, if you don’t know all the words you need you should have a plan for what you are going to say to help you in this situation.

When you don’t know an exact word Opinions Agreeing and disagreeing Showing interest Suggestions Taking turns Speak without words! (non-verbal language)

Accuracy and Fluency

f you speak English with a high level of accuracy it means you speak correctly, with very few mistakes. If you speak fluently it means you speak easily, quickly and with few pauses. The ideal is obviously to speak accurately and fluently but that will come after years of practice! This section will give you some tips on how to become a more accurate and fluent speaker, the important thing is to create a balance between the two.

Accuracy

Fluency

Talk about yourself

Here are our top tips for talking about yourself in an exam. Do: Think about the types of topics and questions you may be asked before the exam. School, family, free time, daily routines and future plans are common topics. Practise answering simple questions about yourself. Work with a friend to practise or record yourself and listen to the recording. Listen carefully to the questions. If you don’t understand the question, ask your teacher to repeat it. Give complete answers in full sentences. Look at the examiner. His/her face may tell you when you’ve said enough and he/she is ready for the next question.

Don’t: Memorise your answers. It’s good to have ideas ready, but it’s better not to memorise long replies to typical questions. Just reply with ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Panic if you are asked an unexpected question. Take a few seconds to think before you answer it.

Tell a story

Here are our top tips for telling a good story or anecdote. Do: Take time to think about the question and the story before you start talking. Use narrative tenses – past simple, past continuous and past perfect. Use adjectives and adverbs to make the story interesting. Use sequencing words: first of all, then, after that, later on, finally, in the end ... Give your story an introduction. Say briefly what your story is about. Give the background to your story. Say when and where it took place and what you were doing at that time. Say what happened step by step. Use words like so, because and although to connect the actions until you reach the end of the story. Keep the action moving! Finish your story or anecdote by saying why it is important to you or why you remember it. Look at your listeners.

Don’t: Take too long telling the story or your listeners will get bored. Use a flat or bored voice. Look down or look around the room.

THANK YOU!

https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/exams/exam-study-tips/brain-food