PSLE English Oral Made Easy: A Short Handbook for Students and Parents

The PSLE English oral exam is the most stressful part of your child’s educational journey. Of course, you agree. As a parent, you definitely look over the ways to help your child tackle the oral exam easily. No worries! We are here to guide you. However, mastering the oral exam can actually be a fun and rewarding experience. Let’s explore this guide to help your child confidently walk into the examination hall.

Why is the PSLE English Oral Exam Important?

The PSLE English oral exam is not a big deal. According to the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB), the oral exam assesses your child’s ability to communicate effectively in English. Communication skills are important not only for examinations but also for life. Wherever you go, expressing ideas clearly will foster better interactions and relationships in both personal and professional settings. That’s why the PSLE English Oral Exam is more crucial.

A Short Glimpse of the Exam Structure

The oral examination makes up 15% of your child’s overall PSLE English score. Here is the breakdown of the English oral examination.

#1. Reading Aloud:

This is the first part of the oral examination, where students should read aloud. It’s all about assessing your child’s pronunciation, fluency, and articulation.

#2. Stimulus-Based Conversation:

This is the second part, where your child engages in a conversation based on a visual stimulus, like a picture. It helps to check the kids’ ability to express their ideas, experiences, and opinions clearly.

PSLE English Oral Preparation Tips

So you get a clear perception of the structure of the oral examination. Then what? You must help your child prepare for an English oral examination to communicate clearly and confidently.

As a parent, you must know that students often get anxious and unsure how to speak in front of an English examiner. The stress and pressure of the oral exam bring mental blocks, and your child cannot confidently convey the answer. To help your child overcome this issue, enrol them in the best tuition centre in Singapore. They help to develop your child’s key traits and confidently speak and face the PSLE English Oral examination.

#1. Practice Calm & Confidence:

Generally, children won’t speak in front of new people or strangers, let alone with the examiner. Many children hesitate to speak in public, especially in group communication. Students will fear to voice their opinions and thoughts in front of strangers. However, with ample practice, they can be calm and confident while speaking with others.

#2. Create a Reading Routine:

Want your child to excel in English oral examinations? Then, creating a daily reading routine will help your child to communicate their ideas and opinions more confidently. It can start at home. Make reading a daily habit for your child and make them read the book that interests or engages them. Read together to help them, which will tend to improve their pronunciation.

#3. Take Advantage of the Technology:

With the advancement of technology, many online platforms and applications are available to help your child practise oral communication. So, choose the best reading applications with interactive features to make their learning experience more fun and effective. Additionally, use MOE Student Learning Space (SLS) to find the valuable resource.

#4. Encourage Conversation at Home:

At home, it is best to initiate a conversation on various topics and encourage your child to share his or her ideas more effectively. This will enhance their critical thinking and help them express their thoughts confidently.

Improve the Right Skill Set for Your Kids

Honing the right skill sets will help your child to overcome PSLE oral exam anxiety. Here’s a tip to help your kids improve those skills

#1. Reading Aloud:

For eloquent speaking, practising reading daily and aloud is more important. Well, by reading aloud, you can enhance your skills. 

• Work on articulation
• Stay up with the pace of reading
• Get familiarity with expressiveness

These help your child to overcome the PSLE English oral exam hurdles and help you to excel.

#2. Stimulus-Based Learning:

Stimulus learning triggers your kids automatically or naturally, and they tend to eventually respond immediately. It’s a positive input that evokes students’ curiosity and interest in learning.

• Focus on the PEEP format. [PEEP – Point, Explanation, Examples & Personal Opinion]
• Use introductory phrases or conjunctions to link the points and conclusion.
• Craft a Strong conclusion.

The Role of Parents: Build Confidence Through Practice

As a parent, your encouragement and support are more important for your kid to build confidence. But you have to know that it doesn’t come overnight. Conduct events and appreciate your kid for conveying the message or stories. Engaging in conversations will build their confidence level, and they will speak in different settings without any hesitation.

Wrapping It Up

So, we hope that you have finally understood the tips on how to ace the PSLE English oral examination more easily. It’s not easy, but regular practice of reading aloud and involving your child in the conversation will help them succeed in the examination without fear. The more your child speaks, the higher they are likely to score in the PSLE English oral Examination. Remember, every step they take is a step towards becoming a more confident and effective communicator. Happy practising at Explico!