TIPS FOR ORAL EXAMINATION

READING (12m)

4 bands : 0-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12

1. Pronounce words properly and correctly; stress on the correct syllable

2. Make sure you pause when necessary

3. Practice reading with expressiveness - note your pitch (loudness, softness) - relate it to the context of the sentence/passage. Bring out the feelings of the words you read - happy, sad, angry etc - without over-reacting.

4. Practise reading fluently - meaning no stumbling over words, repeating words, missing out words, pausing to pronounce unfamiliar words

5. Practice reading with clarity - what you read must be clear to the listener - not too soft, or garbled, or too loud

6. During the preparation time of 10 minutes, practice pronouncing the unfamiliar words in the passage. Decide on how you want to pronounce it (doesn't matter if it's wrong) and move on with it. Do not skip the word when reading.

7. Make sure you know where the last word of one sentence joins with the next word of the following sentence. There should be no inappropriate pause.

Typical errors noted during actual exam :

PICTURE DISCUSSION (12m)

4 bands : 0-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12

1. Recommended to discuss in the following sequence :

2. To describe, you can use :

3. When lost for words, think of 5W & 1H - Who, what, when, where, why and how

Typical errors :

CONVERSATION (16m)

4 bands : 0-4, 5-8, 9-12. 13-16

1. You are allowed 2-3 seconds to think before replying.

2. Two main questions will be asked : one mainly on description, and one on opinion.

3. Give a moderated view/opinion (no matter how skewed your own opinion might be!!!). To give yourself more "ammunition" to talk/converse, always look at the pros and cons before coming to an overall view/position on the topic.

4. Try to answer in full sentences.

Typical errors :

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