Speaking and Listening

Tips for Success

Know What You’re Talking About

• This may sound obvious but too often students fail to achieve the mark they are capable of due to insufficient preparation.

1. Research your topic2. Create prompt cards3. Rehearse4. Rehearse without cards5. Rehearse in front of friends and family6. Ask friends/family to ask you questions to test

your ability to respond in a developed way7. Rehearse more

Eye Contact• Sometimes it is awkward/embarrassing to make

eye contact. We can feel more nervous and lose our focus.

• In a speaking and listening assessment, making eye contact helps to create a relationship with your audience and can help to keep their interest.

• It helps you look confident, even if you feel worried about talking in front of people.

Intonation• Changing your tone of voice makes you sound

more interesting.• A monotone presentation can sound boring and

an audience may lose interest.• Try changing the volume and pitch of your voice

to create effects.

Standard English• Try to use Standard English (SE) when you are speaking.

Standard English is what we might consider ‘proper’ or ‘posh’ English. It is sometimes known as ‘The Queen’s English’.

• You should not use slang or swear words and should aim to use grammatically accurate structures.

• You should also try to avoid fillers such as ‘erm’

Sophisticated Vocabulary

• Someone who is important to me is my Mum. She is really nice to me and it’s really good to have her there when I need her.

• The significance of my Mum can barely be described using mere words. She is an incredible woman who I rely on and who is abundant in her love for me.

The difference is clear, isn’t it?Aim to PUSH yourself. Use a thesaurus to find original, more sophisticated vocabulary. This is a hugely effective way to interest and engage your audience.

Confidence• This is a tip which is easy to give but is less easy

to apply. For many of us, the thought of standing up in front of others is petrifying BUT everyone is in the same position. The best thing is to take a deep breath and plunge right in.

• People aren’t laughing at you- they’re in the same boat.

• Smile, speak clearly and with enthusiasm.• If necessary, fake it!