Oral Exams
|
What you have to do |
GCSE English oral exams take many forms. Exactly what forms depend on
your teacher and examining board. You may have to:
- give a presentation;
- take part in a debate;
- be
interviewed by a teacher or GCSE Moderator;
- give someone some instructions;
- act out
the role of a character in a book or play.
You may be asked to do these things on your
own, paired up with a classmate, or in
a small group. |
|
|
|
How you're marked |
You are marked on your ability to:
- use standard English*;
- organise
your talk;
- adapt your talk to different situations;
- listen to
and understand
varied speech*;
- participate
in discussion;
- communicate
clearly;
- judge what others say.
|
|
|
|
How often? |
You will be assessed three times during
your two-year course so if this is the year of
your exams, you will almost certainly have been assessed
at least once already. But your most important oral assessment will
probably take place in the spring term before your
exams. |
|
|
|
About you...
|
If you are naturally outgoing and confident,
you will probably have an advantage in
your oral exams over someone who is shy. But don't
be over-confident and
don't hog the limelight in group discussions.
Among other things, you must show that you can listen.
|
|
|
|
Preparation is the key. |
As with
all examinations,
preparation is the key, so ask your
teacher about
how and when your oral exams
will be done. Your teacher should tell you
enough to help you prepare. |
|
|
|
Oral exams are usually based on a text. |
Oral exams are
usually based on a
text* you've been given. This may, for example,
be an article, a story, a play, or a poem. So make a serious attempt to read and understand all the texts you are given. |
|
|
|
Don't get too hung up on giving "correct"
answers! |
Many students get hung-up on the idea
that their exams are about giving "correct" answers, but English
is often not like this. Think more about what response* is best
in the circumstances. And
don't make the same mistake as one
student we know of who said "I'm sure I did ok in my orals - I was
really polite and said please and thankyou a lot." (He got an E!)
|
|
|
|
Intelligent judgements and intelligent
observations please! |
In English, you are being assessed on your ability to make
intelligent judgements and
intelligent observations about
information that is given to you. Sometimes, an
intelligent judgement is to ask a question! And sometimes, an intelligent observation is to say that the information isn't
clear!
Just make sure you explain why
you say what you say. |
Giving a talk
|
If you're asked to give a talk... |
If you're asked to give a presentation or talk, you will probably be asked to talk about something
of your own choice. If this is the case, use your choice wisely and talk about something you really know and enjoy.
|
|
|
|
Natural, knowledgeable and enthusiastic |
We advise that you to talk about your favourite
hobby or pastime. If you do this you will come across as natural, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic - the
three most important things in a good presentation. |
|
|
|
Plan your talk and practise it. |
Write out a short list of the main points
you want to cover, and
gather together the things you want to
show (or play) to your audience.
Practise what you are going to say and the way you are going to say it. As much as
anything else, a good presentation is a
performance.
Almost all professional speakers (such as politicians and actors)
practise their speeches for maximum effect. So follow
their example. |
|
|
|
Listen to yourself practising on a cassette
recorder. |
Does your presentation sound better when you speak a little louder? Does it sound better when you speak a
little slower? Does it sound better
when you vary the tone of your voice?
Practise until you feel comfortable
with what you're going to say - then you'll be ready
to give your talk. |
|
|
|
One certain way of getting marked down |
Hey, why not read your talk from a
script!? It'll guarantee you'll sound like a moron,
lose touch with your audience, and bore everyone half to death (including
yourself). Do not read your talk from a script!
|
Things to learn and ways to work:
| About your course and exams:
| Other GCSE Answers'
sections:
| |
Right and Wrong