PREPARING FOR AN ORAL EXAM

The exam period is coming and most of you have final exams. In English, one of the most difficult exams for you is the ORAL EXAM. The oral test is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your knowledge and your ability to communicate. Some friends and students asked me for tips to prepare an oral exam and I thought it would be interesting to share my ideas with all of you. 

Se acercan los exámenes finales. Uno de los que más asusta es el examen oral: el momento en el que hay que demostrar lo que se sabe siendo capaz de comunicar algo. Como varios amigos y alumnos me han pedido que les de consejos para estos exámenes que vienen, sobretodo en las Escuelas Oficiales, os dejo aquí mis ideas para que las podáis compartir. 

PREPARING THE ORAL EXAM 

1) Revision of topics: Think of all the possible topics you may be asked to talk about. That would depend on your level but you have to review all the topics you have dealt with throughout the school year: health, fashion, education, technology.. etc. Make a list of possible topics and prepare vocabulary and expressions you may need to talk about them. 

For instance: education (private/state schools, compulsory/non-compulsory subjects, teacher, lecturer, students, subjects, civil servants, quality...etc) . The purpose of this is that you review vocabulary related to as many topics as possible. 

2) Revision of grammar: Review the grammar structures you have studied. Remember that the more you use the better. It is not the same to do an oral exam using only present simple than to include a comparative, a conditional...etc. 

3) Practice! : You are supposed to have practised a lot of speaking before the exam. However, keep on practising with your partners, friends, native speakers or even if you are alone in your room, in front of the mirror. Fluency and spontaneity are as important as grammar correctness. 

4) If you think you are going to be very nervous, relax and take  a tila :) 

DOING THE ORAL EXAM 

1) Relax! : Although you feel nervous, you have to pretend to be relaxed and confident. The teacher wants to see a student who is able to speak and communicate something rather than a student who is a bundle of nerves. It may be difficult but in an oral exam you must keep your wits about you. It is one of the most important things. 

2) Be natural, fluent and spontaneous. For a teacher it is more important that the student knows how to communicate a message than the fact that he/she makes grammar mistakes. Show that you are able to communicate and speak fluently. 

3) To do an oral exam it is good to know some recurrent sentences  you can always use. 

Monologue: If you have to speak about a topic: 

a) Always introduce yourself: Good morning, my name is ........ I am studying English in       Valencia. I am a teacher/student... Tell the teacher a little bit about yourself 

b) If you are asked to talk about a given topic, always emphasize the relevance of this topic. For example, if you have to speak about new technologies, say something like this: 

Nowadays, new technologies are very important . We always make use of them. More and more, teenagers use mobile phones everywhere and for everything..... (the importance of this topic in today's society) 

c) Then, if it is possible,  mention advantages and disadvantages. There are advantages like... However... 

c) Give your opinion and tell something about your life. In my opinion, the use of new technologies is not always positive because... For example, when we were younger...  

d) Finish the monologue in a polite way : Thank you very much for your attention 

Interaction 

In the interactive part, there are things you should bear in mind: 

a) The teacher evaluates your interaction,  so let your partner speak as well. Don't be selfish! 

2) A dialogue is a conversation, so use sentences to interact such as: Do you agree with this?/ I don't agree with your opinion/ I am afraid I can't do that/  what do you think about...?/ What about that? Make sure the communication is flowing. 

3) The dialogues have to finish with a final decision. Most of the tasks are about deciding something with your partner. Therefore, the teacher is waiting for that final decision. Use sentences such as So, what should we do?/  I think we could do.../  Let's make a decision because.. 

4) If your partner says : Let's meet at 4:00 pm. Don't say yes. Try to speak more:  I'm afraid I can't because I have an appointment with my doctor.. Try to develop your answer and avoid yes/no answers. 

Remember!!!

1) Smile, greet the teacher,  be confident and speak. Silences and long pauses are dangerous

2) If you don't understand what the teacher says, don't be afraid to ask. Sorry, can you repeat? Sorry, I didn't understand 

3) There is nothing wrong in correcting the mistakes you make

If you want to know more things or more specific things, leave a comment and I'll try to help! 

Si alguno de vosotros quiere esta información en castellano que me lo diga y la traduzco. O si no entendéis algo, decírmelo.