Hello eager English learners!!! 😁😅
I hope you're all well and that you're practicing your English!
Here in Greece, English exams have begun!! Are you sitting an English exam this May (or this year)? Do you feel like you're prepared and ready? Don't stress yourself out!
Today I've got some tips for the Speaking part of English exams... so sit back, keep reading and get ready to start talking! 😊😊
Tip number 1: Smile!
Believe it or not, it helps!! Smiling not only helps to show the examiners that you are friendly and happy to speak to them, but it also helps you to relax and feel more at ease. Always remember that you're not being interrogated (even though it may feel like it sometimes!), but you are given various prompts and topics to show your range of vocabulary through oral expression. Don't forget to use appropriate language and try not to repeat the same words while answering questions or talking about a topic.
Tip number 2: Be descriptive!
Give descriptive answers to questions and elaborate on your reasoning when explaining an opinion or point of view.
For example, when answering a question like: "How are you today?" don't answer by just saying: "Fine, thank you." be more descriptive like : "I'm fine although I'm a little nervous at the moment. I hope I do well in this exam!" 😊
If you have to describe a place, like your neighborhood or the city you live in, add a comparison to a different area or city and try to use synonyms, opposites and expressions. For example, "I live in the city centre of Heraklion and it's always busy and noisy. It's funny because I grew up in the suburbs where life was much quieter. Heraklion isn't as big a city as Athens, but I like living downtown especially since I enjoy spending time with my friends going for coffee and hanging out."
synonyms: city centre = downtown
opposites: busy and noisy ≠ much quieter
synonyms: like = enjoy
expressions: It's funny / hanging out
Tip number 3: Stay on track!
When you're talking about something it's easy to stray from the subject and get off track. Be careful! For example, if the topic is about how the internet has influenced education, don't end up talking about which apps and games you like best! Keep the initial question or topic in mind when expressing your viewpoint.
A way to practice this is to think about various topics yourself and to give yourself 2-5 minutes to talk about it. For example, tell yourself to talk about Fast Fashion for two minutes or more specifically to talk about the effect Fast Fashion has on the environment! For ideas of things to talk about, go to a list of questions and topics I had posted back in 2016 -- here's the link: https://xamoyela.blogspot.com/2016/01/happy-2016.html Go on, press it! 😄👇
Tip number 4: Don't take questions or topics to heart!
Examiners follow a given set of questions and topics to address ALL candidates, so don't take any questions or topics personally. For example, if you're asked to describe a time when you told a lie to someone and what happened, the examiners are not out to judge or shame you! All they want to see (or rather 'listen to') is the vocabulary you'll use and the way you will express yourself! Or if you are an avid bike-rider and the examiner asks you if you think that cyclers are dangerous and shouldn't be allowed to ride their bikes on main roads because they cause accidents, it is not about you! Try not to get offended or mad at something that might be said during the examination, because if this happens, remember that it is not intentional. The Speaking exam is basically a test of your ability to communicate in English efficiently using proper grammar and vocabulary and it is not about whether anyone agrees/disagrees with you or approves/disapproves of what you say! 😊
Tip number 5: Be polite!
Being polite is half the charm of being a good speaker! Be on your best behavior, say your please and thank you's and if you make a mistake apologize! Giving a good impression is important! How would you feel if you were an examiner and you had rude candidates to examine all day? 😝 Being examiners might be their job, but they're human, too!! 😊😊
Tip number 6: Read your essays!
Speaking and writing have a unique link, so if you're struggling to find a way to get talking, read essays that you've written and see if you can improve them through conversation! You can do the same thing with the writing tasks from your books by reading the tasks and doing them out-loud as speaking exercises instead of writing.
Tip number 7: Brush up on your vocabulary!
Themed vocabulary is a great way to revise for a Speaking test. How do you do it? Well, think of a topic and then write down EVERY SINGLE WORD OR PHRASE you can think of that can be related to it! You'll be surprised at how many words you write down!! Then, once you've got all that vocabulary in front of you, talk about the topic!! 😁😁
Okay then!
That's all I've got for you today!!
Gook luck everyone and start speaking English!!!
😊💖😎
