ORAL TEST TIPS

Some TIPS for the ORAL TEST:

A PWP by Dulce Rosales.  Some TIPS for the ORAL TEST ____

Oral Exams are coming again…:

Oral Exams are coming again … As students, we well know that the Oral Test is usually the hardest part of our exams, because of the pressure it involves and also, because we need to think and speak at the same time ! Here are some tips to help you do better in your test as well as in every day life! 

MONOLOGUE :

MONOLOGUE Hello , my name is Carlos …

Before we start the oral presentation, we must make sure what we have to talk about. So, read and follow the instructions carefully, also stick to the time given.:

. For example . Imagine you are are given this topic to talk about : Talk for three minutes about your mother . Include: her age, physical appearance, character, what she does, what she likes doing in her free time, her experiences… And what you feel about her . Before we start the oral presentation, we must make sure what we have to talk about . So, read and follow the instructions carefully, also stick to the time given.

TIME TO START! :

When we start, the first thing you must do is say ‘hello’ and your name, that is, introduce yourself. Then you say what you are going to talk about. Always try to use the vocabulary and grammar we have studied this year TIME TO START!

Example: 1/3:

Hello, my name is Felipe Hernández and I am going to talk about my mother. My mother’s name is Rita. She was born in July 1960, so she is now 51 years old. She is quite slim and tall. She is slim because she does sport and she has a healthy diet. She has long black hair and brown eyes and , I think, she is really beautiful and still attractive for her age… About her character / as for her character / as far as her character is concerned I must say she is a bit bossy/ serious/ , but she is also generous, extrovert/ talkative… Example: 1/3

2/3:

She hardly ever gets angry, but when she does… wow -she really gets furious. But in general, she is very sweet to us. She has three children, I am the youngest/oldest one…She is not working at the moment, but she used to work as a secretary in an office… She stopped working when she had my sister Elena(her second child). So, since my sister was born she has been a housewife. .. (for twelve years now!) Everyday she gets up early and she does the typical things in the house – you know?- she cleans, makes the beds, cooks and does the shopping… She doesn’t like cooking very much, but I love her food. We all love her food at home… 2/3

3/3:

She has always liked romantic films and hated science fiction or westerns… She also loves reading, especially novels by Agatha Christie. And…., as I said before, she also enjoys doing sport. She goes swimming twice a week and, when she has time/ can , she does yoga in Las Palmas, where she goes with a few friends… She doesn’t like sports like football, that’s the reason why she sometimes argues with my father, because he LOVES it. She used to travel a lot before she got married , but she can’t do it so often now… She has been to Italy, New York, India…She would like to travel more, but nowadays she can’t because she has no money… She is really proud of her family- and so are we! I really believe She is a great mother, she is affectionate, sensitive and reliable. And she is also generous and a hard-working woman, whom I love because, apart from being my mother, she is also a good friend… Well, that’s all I can say right now about my mother.  3/3

Some USEFUL LANGUAGE :

First I must say… About her character/ as for her character/ as far as her character is concerned… You know? That’s (the reason) why I don’t… I don’t know if you see/ understand what I mean Well, that’s what I think/ my opinion It’s really/ very/ quite interesting I (don’t) think it is… I am not quite sure but… I don’t know how to explain, but it’s like… Some USEFUL LANGUAGE

INTERACTION :

INTERACTION

In the interaction part you have to talk to your partner, discuss and try to get to an agreement. :

Again, you must read carefully what you have to do or say before you start. Sometimes you can be given a topic you actually don’t like or do not agree with. That’s why you are also given some ideas to help you follow the ‘ consigna ’. Student A always starts, presenting/ introducing the point. In the interaction part you have to talk to your partner , discuss and try to get to an agreement.

Example :

Student A You and your partner have won one million euros in the lottery. But you both want to do different things. You want to buy a house in the country and travel around the world. These are your ideas: We only live once You want to visit those places you can only watch on TV A house is always necessary to live. And the countryside is always more peaceful and healthier… Example

Slide 13:

Student B You and your partner have won one million euros in the lottery. But you both want to do different things. You want to buy a house in the city and give the rest of the money to the poor. Your ideas: We are in times of crisis. A lot of people need help… Travelling is a waste of time and money. A flat in the city is better than a house in the country. The city offers lots of facilities that the country does not.

Slide 14:

A So, Juani , what are we going to do with all this money? Oh! I can’t believe we’ve won one million euros !!! What? !!!To the poor?!!! Are you joking? Oh no… I disagree completely. This is a big opportunity for us to travel, spend money, buy things…and, I want a house in the country… Really? Why? > B You are right it is so difficult to believe, but we’ve been lucky… You know ? I’ve thought about it. I think we should buy a flat and give the rest of the money to the poor. No, I think it’s a great idea… In the country? Are you going to become a farmer? I think a flat in the city is more practical… < Because….

After some discussion you must try to reach an agreement: :

A : Ok. I’ll tell you what we can do, let’s travel somewhere, buy a house outside the city, but not too far and if we still have some money left, we can give it to the poor..What do you think? B : Ok. I think that’s a great idea. Now we agree! After some discussion you must try to reach an agreement:

Functional Language:

When we interact we need to give our opinion or ask for the other person’s opinion . We agree or disagree . We interrupt . We listen. We suggest . We refuse . Etc That’s what we call ‘ functional language ’: Functional Language

:

1. Do you want to come to the cinema with me? 2. Would you like to go hiking this weekend? 3. How about going swimming on Friday? 4.Would you like to do something different tomorrow? No thanks. I'm kind of tired right now. Sure, I'd love to. What time should we meet? Oh That’s a great idea. Sounds like a great idea. Where do you want to go? USEFUL LANGUAGE Inviting and suggesting

Accepting and refusing :

Accepting and refusing Would you like come with us? Would you like to go see a movie? Yes, please. Sure. Thanks Okay. Thank you Okay. Sounds good. Sure. I'd love to. Yeah . Good idea Great. What time? Sounds like fun. All right. When and where? No, thank you I'd better not. No, but thanks for offering. No, I'd rather not. I'm sorry, but I can't. No, but thanks for inviting me. Sorry. I'm busy this weekend/tonight… I don't think I can. How about some other time?

Slide 19:

Asking for Opinions What do you think? What's your opinion? What are your ideas? Do you have any thoughts on that? How do you feel about that? What about you? Giving Opinions I think we should get a new car. I don't think we need one. I believe (that) smoking should be banned. I don't believe (that) it should be illegal. In my opinion , Gone with the Wind is the best movie ever made. I think that it's the right thing to do. I don't think that ’s a good idea.

:

(Oh) Really? That's interesting. Oh really? That's great! Oh really? That's too bad . I can’t believe it! You can’t be serious ! You must be joking ! (ECHO QUESTIONS) Are you ? Don’t you ? Rejoinders are quick responses to show that you are interested or paying attention while your partner is speaking. Did you ? Oh my!

Slide 21:

Agreeing I agree You're right. Me too . Me neither. So do/am/did I Neither could/would/ was I That's right./ Good idea. I think that's a good idea. Disagreeing I disagree. I don’t agree (with you) I don't think so. (No.) That's not right. Yes, but... I don’t I do! (I'm sorry, but) I don't agree.

Fluency and Pronunciation:

Your fluency and pronunciation can improve a lot just by following these easy tips : Listen while you read and repeat You can read and listen in lots of website pages in the net You can listen to the English songs you like and sing ! Fluency and Pronunciation

Last but not least…:

Last but not least … It is always important to : Try to relax Remember to use the language studied in class . Never , ever , speak in Spanish during the test. Always believe you CAN ( you’ve been doing it all year !) Know that the teacher is a friend , not a judge !  © Dulce Rosales, 2011.