PSLE Oral Examination Tips

What to take note of in the new syllabus

 

With the recent PSLE English syllabus changes placing greater emphasis on the Oral Examination (now making up 20% of the entire English paper), excelling in this component has become more important than ever. The new format challenges students to go beyond and embrace authentic communication, critical thinking, and creativity. The Thought Tailor has put together the top tips to adapt to the new syllabus and help you create thoughtful responses, helping you excel in your Oral examinations.

 

General Tips for the Exam

 

As they say “practice makes perfect,” be sure to consistently practice reading aloud to yourself, as well as be conscientiously practicing good speaking habits in your day-to-day life, which will be covered below. 

 

Reading Aloud

Main elements

 

• Pronunciation: Words are said accurately
• Articulation: Ensure that you are speaking clearly and that each word is enunciated as it was intended.
• Expression: Using appropriate intonation, pitch, and pace to elucidate the meaning and emotions of the text based on the preamble given.

 

Preparation Tips:

 

•     Practice often: Get yourself used to new terminologies and sentence structures, practice expressive reading using passages from books or articles with a clear context and audience to mimic exam conditions.
•     Record and Review: Record your reading sessions and listen to them to identify areas for improvement.
•     Focus on Punctuation: Pay close attention and importance to punctuation marks as they guide your intonation and pauses.
•     Use a Mirror: Practice reading aloud while facing a mirror to monitor your facial expressions and mouth movements.
• You are given 5 minutes to prepare yourself before the exam, take note of difficult words that might be a problem, and use that time to practice.

 

During the Examination

 

•     Stay Calm: Take a deep breath before you start reading to calm your nerves.
•     Follow the Text: Keep your finger on the text to avoid losing your place.
•     Maintain Eye Contact: Glance up occasionally to engage with the examiner.
•     Vary Your Tone: Use different tones to match the mood of the passage and keep it interesting.

 

2. Stimulus-Based Conversation

Key Components

 

•     Content: Relevance and depth of the response to the stimulus (e.g., picture, scenario).
•     Language: Use of appropriate vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structures.
•     Engagement: Try to make sure you are being natural during the interaction and sustain the conversation

 

Preparation Tips:

 

•     Expand Vocabulary: Learn new words and phrases related to common topics such as school life, hobbies, family, and current events.
•     Practice with Peers: Engage in discussions with friends or family members on various topics to build familiarity and confidence.
•     Stay Informed: Read newspapers, watch the news, and stay updated on current affairs to have more to talk about.
•     Plan Your Responses: Think about possible questions and plan your responses, but avoid memorizing them to ensure natural delivery.

For Paper 4, TTT helps your child master the relevant pronunciation techniques for accurate reading and teaches the right techniques to ensure fluency and rhythm when reading. For SBC, we provide detailed thinking and answering frameworks as well as higher-order analytical techniques required to demonstrate a well-thought analysis for spoken interaction. We help your child effectively apply all the techniques and frameworks through intensive practice and step-by-step drills to ensure that he/she is ready for his/her oral reading and spoken interaction examination.