The phrase speak your mind emphasises the significance of clear communication in different settings. A strong English oral practice routine not only prepares students for PSLE or O Level oral exams, but also strengthens their real-life communication skills.
During conversations, presentations, and especially oral exams, being able to express oneself clearly can impact academic results and personal confidence. Yet many students struggle to find the right words at the right moment.
Speaking with impact is more than just reciting memorised lines. It’s about sharing your message clearly—and that starts with practice.
Speaking Is Also Thinking . . . So Use Both!
English oral practice, like building fluency through thinking aloud
It’s natural to want to contribute something valuable in class discussions or during an oral exam. But fear of making mistakes often leads students to stay silent.
Speaking helps us organise our thoughts. It can also spark new ideas. That’s why verbalising what we’re thinking is a useful tool—not just for communication but for learning itself.
Here are some ways to help you speak up more confidently:
💡 Identify what’s holding you back (nervousness, lack of vocabulary, etc.)
💡 Recognise your body’s cues (dry mouth, shaky voice)
💡 Prepare a trigger phrase (e.g. “I believe that…” or “From my point of view…”)
💡 Practise using that phrase until it feels natural
The more often students express their thoughts aloud, the more confident and fluent they become.
Your Rocketship’s Stages Will Deploy As Needed
Imagine your thoughts as a rocket. At first, they’re ideas waiting on the launchpad. With the right support and practice, they take off—one stage at a time.
You don’t need to have a perfect sentence ready before you speak. Start with your first thought. The rest will come. Like booster rockets, your words will gain momentum as you continue.
That’s why speaking often and in context matters—it helps your ‘verbal engine’ kick in.
Performing Verbal Presentations in Oral Examinations During PSLE and O Levels
Both PSLE and O Level oral exams test how clearly students express ideas under timed conditions. Students are expected to:
1️⃣ Speak clearly
Pronounce words accurately and ensure your message is easy to understand.
2️⃣ Stay on topic
Keep your answers focused and relevant to the question or visual prompt.
3️⃣ Use good vocabulary
Showcase a strong range of words and avoid repetitive phrasing.
4️⃣ Sound confident
Use a steady voice and appropriate tone to convey self-assurance.
Practising frequently will help you:
💪 Improve your pronunciation
Regular speaking drills help correct mispronunciations and build fluency.
💪 Organise your points better
Learn how to structure answers with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
💪 Speak fluently even when nervous
Frequent oral practice builds the muscle memory and confidence needed to speak smoothly under pressure.
Visible interpretation—the ability to explain what you see in a picture—also helps. Try:
🟢 Speaking aloud when analysing images
🟢 Using visual prompts to build structured answers
🟢 Creating mind maps for themes like “kindness” or “technology”
These strategies will help students connect their thoughts and deliver stronger, clearer answers during exams.
Speak With Confidence with W@W
At WRITERS AT WORK, we know that speaking clearly under pressure is a skill that needs structure, not luck. That’s why our oral-focused holiday and weekly programmes help students build:
🟢 Fast response techniques
🟢 Vocabulary for academic and social topics
🟢 Body language and tone control
Ready to boost your child’s confidence before the next English oral exam?
🔎 Explore our Comprehensive English Programmes
✅ Sign up for a Holiday Programme
🔗 Visit our blog for more tips
Let’s get your child speaking up, not freezing up. 🚀
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Q1. How can I help my child speak more naturally in oral exams?
Encourage daily short conversations about familiar topics. Use prompts and have them respond out loud.
Q2. What if my child gets nervous and forgets everything?
Practise using a trigger phrase. Encourage deep breathing and remind them the examiner wants to award marks.
Q3. Do your holiday programmes or comprehensive english programmes include speaking practice?
Yes! Our holiday programmes include modules focused on oral communication and public speaking confidence for all levels. Our comprehensive English programmes cover not only oral skills but also writing.
Q4. Are WRITERS AT WORK oral programmes suitable for shy students?
Yes! Our coaches gently encourage participation and progress at each student’s pace.
