Hi, guys! One of the main reasons that we learn a foreign language is to speak it. However, this is the very thing that many people struggle with when it comes to learning a foreign language. Today, I want to give you some tips that I hope will prepare you for speaking tests, and perhaps will also help you when it comes to improving your fluency. Many speaking tests require you to prepare at least some part of it in advance. And remembering it can be quite difficult. So hopefully these tips will help you improve your performance in those tests. Use prompt cards. A lot of exam boards allow you to take cards or some paper into the exam with you with some words written on them. However, it's quite unlikely that they will allow you to write whole sentences. The key is to use your help cards or prompt sheet wisely. Look through the speech that you have prepared, and choose key words. When I have done this in the past, I would choose perhaps the first or second word in the sentence -- opinion words, or linking words, such as 'moreover' or 'also'. If you have a limit to the number of words you can use, try to spread them out across the length of your speech...
As you begin your preparations, you could start out with a greater number of prompt words, and then reduce it as you practice more and more.
Learn and expand your vocabulary. The more words you know, the better. That way, if your mind goes blank and you can't remember what you had prepared, you are more likely to be able to select and use another similar word. In the long term, knowing more vocabulary will help you become more spontaneous, as you will perhaps feel more confident in your own ability. If your test is on a specific topic, focus on that area.
Keep things simple. Stick to the things that you know how to say and that you've tried before. A test isn't necessarily the time to try out new language. Also, try to avoid ridiculously long sentences, as these will be even harder to remember. Don't make them too short, as this may limit the number of marks you are able to access. But, overcomplication will be your enemy.
Practice makes perfect. Make sure that the first time you ever say your speech isn't the day of the exam. Find someone who will help you practice. This could be a family member or friend. It's great if they can speak the language, but if not they can still listen and help you with your timing. One thing I really recommend is recording yourself. Everyone is their own worst critic, because nobody really likes hearing the sound of their own voice. This also gives you the chance to analyze your own performance, and improve aspects like intonation, and pronunciation.
So there you go, those are some of my tips for foreign language speaking tests. Do you have any tips or tricks that work for you? If so please leave them in the comments below. If you like this video or found it useful please give it a thumbs up. Thanks for watching. Bye! (Today's Spanish word of the day is "hablar", which means to talk.)
