and the Techniques Required USE OF ENGLISH FORUM F.7 A Review of Each Paper and the Techniques Required

Underlying Principles of this Exam: 1. Authentic 2. Communicative 3. Contextualized 4. Task-based 5. Integrated

Paper A : Listening Skills Required 1. Accuracy - spelling 6. Paraphrasing 2. Correct Pronunciation 7. Vocabulary Extension 3. Dictation Practice 8. Grammaticality 4. Neat Handwriting 9. Proof-reading 5. Note-taking Skills 10. Read the Headings Carefully

Questions to ask for Paper A 1. What is the test about? 2. What is my role? Key to success MORE PRACTICE

Key to success : Write and Think More Paper B : Writing Skills Required 1. Good Essay Structure 5. Grammaticality - introduction, body & 6. Vocabulary conclusion 7. Sentence Patterns 2. Unique Ideas 8. Proof Reading 3. Critical Thinking 9. Length : 530 words 4. Elaboration and Illustration Key to success : Write and Think More

Paper C : Reading Comprehension and Language Systems Skills Required 1. Guessing & Analytical Ability : Comprehension e.g. the main theme, the writer’s standpoint, the issue/problem in this passage, suggestions given,etc 2. Scanning and Skimming 3. Time Management Ability e.g. (I) Comprehension Passage : 25 minutes (II) All the Other Six Tasks : 10-12 minutes (usually 30 seconds to 1 minute a question)

4. Grammaticality (Basic and Advanced) 5. Vocabulary Extension 6. Identifying Key Words or Key Ideas of a phrase, a sentence or a paragraph 7. Flexibility and Wits Key to success : Read Extensively and Keep On Asking What You Have Understood

Paper D : Oral Skills Required A. Individual Presentation: 1. Discover the main theme 7. Pronunciation 2. Note-taking Skills 8. Voice Quality 3. Originality 9. Eye-contact 4. Intonation 10. Grammaticality 5. Fluency 11. Manner 6. Time Arrangement - pleasant & relaxing - Writing : 9 minutes - a bit formal - Oral Practice : 1 minute

B. Group Interaction 1. Start the discussion 2. Be the leader : frequently give responses to each candidate 3. Remember the other candidates’ speeches in Part One but must have original ideas 4. Time Management 5. Stick with the topic 6. Others : voice quality, intonation, fluency, eye-contact, grammar, pronunciation, intelligibility, manner, etc

Common Problems 1. Rely too heavily on note-cards with little or without eye-contact 2. Large chunks of sentences are copied from the text 3. Poor pronunciation of common and familiar words 4. Unpleasant manner 5. Overuse of stock phrases or patterns e.g. “I agree.” or “What do you think?” 6. Failure to listen to others’ contribution 7. Lack of originality or no contribution at all

Speak in English as frequently as possible Key to success: Speak in English as frequently as possible Be brave to raise your voice a bit Remember your points without referring to your notes Be pleasant and attentive to others

Paper E : Practical Skills for Work and Study Skills Required 1. Relevance - don’t copy long chunks of sentences but key phrases and words only; synthesizing and analyzing information for readers without sheer direct copying data 2. Readability - whether it is easy to follow e.g. general organization, paragraphing, sign-posting (sub-headings & adverbials) and examples

3. Language - use own language and the appropriate adaptation of language from the Data File; no need to be error free 4. Right Format e.g. Letter or Memo 5. Consider the knowledge of audience - readers have no Data File, so you need clear data reference ( i.e. the source of information ) 6. Don’t include wrong information under an unrelated heading 7. Good Grammar

Key to Success 1. A pre-writing stage : plan and organize information 2. Determine who the audience is/are and write in a way that is reader-friendly 3. Develop synthesizing skills and group the ideas logically with the use of sign-posting 4. Time Management - divide your time according to the mark weight of each task; must finish all the three tasks 5. Proofreading

THANKS!!