Hmm…How to prepare for my oral exams… The Oral Examination

THEME The 3 Oral Components Conversation Reading Aloud Picture Discussion THEME Conversation

The 3 Oral Components are based on the same theme Reading Passage Picture Discussion Concert Conversation

The 3 Oral Components are based on the same theme Reading Passage Picture Discussion Pets Conversation

Here’s another possible theme. Reading Passage Picture Discussion Healthy Lifestyle Conversation

Your first Impression Matters A LOT! Smile and greet the examiner. Thank you! Standard English only Look enthusiastic. Maintain eye-contact. Look neat and tidy. Sit up straight. RELAX! Compose yourself.

Nervousness will block out all ideas even though you might have rehearsed it over and over again.

Picture Discussion Give very good explanations to support interpretations Use a wide range of appropriate vocabulary and accurate structures What you have to do…

Picture Discussion Hey, look at me. Remember: Look enthusiastic. Maintain eye-contact.

Theme Familiar Context Picture Discussion Prompts 2 Focal Points

Theme Familiar Context Prompts 2 Focal Points You must have given help or help others before, haven’t you? Help others who are in need. Theme Familiar Context Prompts 2 Focal Points Tell me what is happening in this picture. What is the girl doing? Why?

Picture Discussion You have to… 1. study the picture 2 Picture Discussion You have to… 1. study the picture 2. talk about what you see = what 3. explain what you had said = why 4. give your views or suggestions 5. elaborate on the 2 focal points

Picture Discussion When describing the picture… Avoid saying “in the bottom left hand corner of the picture” or “to my left” .  Begin with prepositional phrases like “On the stage…” “At the see-saw…” “Under the tree…” “The boy who is at the counter…” Use Prepositional phrases

Picture Discussion When you are talking about the picture, use …  the present tense  the present perfect tense  the present continuous tense  the future tense ‘would’, ‘could’, ‘might’ to express your opinions Present Tense ONLY

Picture Discussion Introduction Set the scene. This is a scene at a designated pedestrian crossing crossing. Picture Discussion Describe each focal point in detail. Talk about the ‘WHAT’ and then the ‘WHY’. Give a relevant personal opinion to the situation that I have just described. Conclude

Are you ready for some practice?

What do you think is happening in this picture? What do you think the girl is doing? What could this boy be thinking? PSLE 2005 – Picture Discussion

What do you think is happening in this picture? What do you think the three boys are doing? What do you think the man and woman are thinking ?

Checklist for Picture Discussion I spoke in full sentences. I used Standard English. I smiled and maintained eye-contact. I set the scene first. I focussed on the first focal point and elaborated on it. I described what I saw and explained why I had said so. I used prepositional phrases like ‘Next to…’ , ‘ Just in front of…’ and other suitable connectors. I linked the first focal point to the next and then elaborated on it. I used a wide range of impressive vocabulary. I was accurate in my sentence structures. I used the present tense verbs all the time. I concluded appropriately. I sat up straight.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT