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The Cambridge Advanced Examination in English is divided into five parts: Reading, Writing, Use of English, Listening and Speaking. In this article I shall be discussing the Speaking part of the exam and suggesting ways for candidates to improve their performance in the exam and maybe even to enjoy the experience a little.
The Oral paper is taken first, and maybe out of all the papers, this one seems to cause the most nervousness among candidates, whatever their ability. Although the shortest part of the exam, lasting approximately 15 minutes, it is undoubtedly the most intense, with the candidates being observed constantly
Firstly, it is good to know that you are not alone. You will be assessed together with another candidate, maybe two depending on numbers. He or she will be equally nervous as you, don’t feel you are on your own. In addition to the two, or three, of you, there will be an interlocutor who will be involved in your discussion as required, and an assessor who will be recording your performance. Do not speak to the assessor during the test. Candidates will be expected to conduct their conversation between themselves and the interlocutor as necessary.
The paper is divided into four parts. The first part is an introduction where you can get to know the other candidate, or introduce him or her to the interlocutor if you are already acquainted. Complex or demanding vocabulary is not required at this point in time. What the assessor is looking for is an ability to hold a natural conversation in English and that you can interact easily with the other candidate. This stage should also help you relax and calm your nerves.
Don’t dominate the conversation so that the other candidate doesn’t have the opportunity to contribute. You should demonstrate that you are a good listener as well as a speaker. At the same time beware of giving short one or two word answers. This is not enough to prove to the assessor that you are capable of individual thought and the ability to express those ideas coherently. Give as much extra information as you can, without wandering off the subject. If you are paired with a very quiet partner, you will gain credit for trying to encourage them to speak, by asking questions that require their opinion. If you know you yourself have a quiet voice, speak up! Don’t make it difficult for the assessor to hear you.
In the second part of the test, you will be given some pictures or photographs to compare and contrast. Please remember that the CAE is not merely an examination of description and fact, rather it is your opinion and your ability to express that opinion which counts above all. Therefore, if you are given a picture of, say, a pop concert, or a crowded sports stadium, do not simply describe what you see. A few words summarizing the situation are enough. Instead try to imagine why those places are crowded, how the people are feeling, discuss why one photo appeals to you more than the other, or if you don’t like either, then say why not. Compare the pictures with each other, talk about your impressions of them and how you imagine the atmosphere of the situations to be. Don’t worry if you need to stop and think for a while, short pauses are perfectly natural.
Whereas the second part of the test is more of an individual task, the third and fourth parts of the test focus on candidates’ ability to negotiate with one another, and the way in which you both come to a conclusion and agreement. You will be given a set of visual material and asked to evaluate what you see. Quite often you are expected to rank the pictures in order of importance to a certain topic. So for example, you may have a set of pictures relating to education and you could be asked to decide which three best represent the importance of education.
Maybe you believe pictures a, c and d are more effective than your partner's thoughts on e, b and a. That’s fine. You do not have to agree; neither is necessary to change your partner’s opinion. In fact opposing points of view should lead to a more lively discussion. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answer, it is the quality of your arguments and the way in which they are presented that is important. Your opinions should be well thought out and expressed clearly. Do not simply give short impersonal answers such as “Well I like that one better than that one. It’s nicer”. The word to remember is WHY. Why do you like that one better? Why is it nicer? Why does A appeal more than B?
If you do agree with your partner then be careful not to “echo” what they are saying. A brief “Yes, yes, I agree with you” or “Yes, I think so too” with no further explanation of WHY you agree will not gain you any extra marks. Constantly asking yourself why you’ve made a particular decision will help you express your opinions more clearly and will definitely impress the examiner.
This may sound a lot to take on board, and maybe seems quite daunting. Try not to worry. There are no right or wrong answers. The examiners are looking for your personal opinions and the way in which you express them. Be original and don’t echo your partner. This your opportunity to show off how much English you know and how you can use it to express your own thoughts and ideas. And don’t forget to keep constantly asking yourself WHY.
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