Friday, August 15, 2008 at 7:17 PM
Mrs Lee's Rules to Score A1s for the Oral Exam
Rule 1
Be Confident and Assured.
You are well prepared to handle the exam.
Many students go in all jittery when they take the oral exams.. 1st tip, DON'T panic. Think of the two teachers (a.k.a examiners) as vending machines - every (good, sensible) word uttered during the exam is like a coin. You put in the coins, your reward will come. Kaching…..
Rule 2
Use your preparation time well!
You are given 10 mins.
A. Oral passage.
Read ALOUD (ok, not so loud). Loud enough for you to hear yourself:
1. Check pace, pronunciation, final consonants, expressiveness.
2. Try out the difficult words. You just have to guess how they are pronounced.
3. Read thru once then go to picture, then come back if you have time.
B. Picture Discussion
1. Use the following acronym to prepare your answer - OSC
Overview - What is picture abt? Your whole discussion must be coherent (means make sense)
Sequence - group the picture into pockets of interaction - what's happening, who's talking to who etc.
Decide how you would go, left to right, background, foreground etc
Remember don’t just describe, interpret!
Look for insightful items. Don’t prattle on and irritate examiners.
Conclusion – plan something to end your discussion.
E.g Why was picture taken? Overall atmosphere? What is going to happen next?
2. Run through the answers in your head. Anticipate how the examiners might start questioning. Think of nice words to use.
C. Conversation
What is the theme of the passage and picture? This might give you a clue to the
conversation topics.
Rule 3
Be Pleasant and Polite. Stay focused. Remember to breathe!
A. Remember to smile and greet the examiners before taking your seat.
B. Reading – don’t worry abt making mistakes. Just continue
C. Picture- the examiner will start with a question. ANSWER that question then move on. Give substantial answer but don't go on and on..
D. Conversation: There will be 2 questions, usually a personal and a more general one. Be prepared to elaborate, by explaining why (if question ask you what do you think, who do you etc…) or giving an example. Remember: You need to talk to get marks!!! Try to vary vocabulary as well.
All the Best Animals!!! You can do it!!!
(PS: notice the last sentence!)
-mushroom.
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