This document provides tips for oral exams, including prepared presentations and discussions. It recommends being prepared by researching the topic, structuring the presentation clearly with an introduction, main points, and conclusion. Language should be varied using synonyms and grammar checked. For discussions, anticipate questions and use phrases like "I think" and "in my opinion." The key is to speak clearly, stay calm, ask for clarification if needed, and speak as much as possible to demonstrate oral skills.

1. TIPS FOR ORAL
EXAMS IN UL
Catherine Jeanneau
Language Support Unit
April 8, 2013 Catherine Jeanneau - Language Support Unit

2. ORAL EXAMS IN UL
Different structures for the various
languages and the various years.
Most common: prepared presentation
and discussion (Spanish: Picture,
German: News)
Key advice: BE PREPARED!
- Be in the mood
- Avoid additional stress

3. TIPS FOR PREPARED
PRESENTATION
Prepare your presentation and keep
in mind that a good presentation is
a balance of:
- information (a minimum must be known on
the topic)
- structure (how you present the info is nearly as
important as the info itself)
- language (the main aim of the exercise is to
assess your oral skills)

4. TIPS FOR PREPARED
PRESENTATION: INFO
 Do some research on the topic. Use classnotes,
reading lists, the internet or books in the library.
Make sure the info you use answer the topic you
have to deal with! (see voc of questions handout)
 When possible, use authentic/native material, it will
give you the necessary background vocabulary (you
won’t have to translate).
 Try to rephrase the info with your own words. It
will sound more natural.
 Try to be original. Remember that the person
marking you will hear similar presentations several
times and will be tempted to compare!

5. TIPS FOR PREPARED
PRESENTATION: STRUCTURE 1
 Introduce in a few sentences what you are going
to talk about and how you are going to present
this info.
 eg: “I am going to talk about XX. First I am going to define
XX, then I will present the various opinions about XX and
finally and I will give my personal opinion about XX.”
 Have several clear parts in your presentation. To
do so, organise your ideas in 2 to 4 main points.
 To make those parts clear to the person marking you use
expressions like: “first of all, on the first hand, secondly, on
the second hand, finally…” Don’t translate these expressions
word for word, look for their equivalents (see Signalling
handout)

6. TIPS FOR PREPARED
PRESENTATION: STRUCTURE 2
 Make sure your presentation follows a
logical development and is not just a
catalogue of ideas.
 Use words like “then, so, too, moreover,
nevertheless…” to structure your ideas.
Don’t translate these expressions word for
word, look for their equivalents (see
signalling handout). Give examples to
justify your point.
 Do a quick summary of your ideas at the
end (if time permits).

7. TIPS FOR PREPARED
PRESENTATION: LANGUAGE
Try to vary the words you say by using
synonyms.
If you are unsure of some structures, use easy
sentences (better be correct than sorry!)
When you prepare your presentation, use
some grammar books and dictionaries to
check that what you are preparing is correct.
When using a dictionary, always double
check the meaning of the words you have
chosen (translate it back to English to be
certain).

8. TIPS FOR PREPARED
PRESENTATION
If in doubt, ask other students of your
class or native speakers to go over
what you have worked on to see if
they can spot some errors.
Time yourself
Use the “record” feature of your Mp3
players

9. PREPARED PRESENTATION:
TIPS FOR THE DELIVERY
Do NOT read your presentation.
Try not to learn everything by heart, but learn
the main points of your presentation so that
you can talk more naturally!
Try to use all the time given to you for your
prepared work, the more you talk, the less
questions you will have to answer!!
Talk slowly, loud enough and clearly!!
Remember that you are marked on your
performance so you have to be understood!!!!

10. DISCUSSION PART OF
YOUR ORAL: TIPS 1
Try to anticipate questions that could be
asked related to the topic of your talk. (the
content of your presentation will dictate the
examiner’s questions)
Make sure you understand the questions
before answering!! In doubt, ask the person
to repeat or explain the question. (ask in the
foreign language of course, so have a set of
questions like these ready: “Could you please
repeat?, could you please explain the question I
don’t understand?..”) see handout

11. DISCUSSION PART OF
YOUR ORAL: TIPS 2
Learn a set of ready-to-use phrases that
could prove useful: “I think that.., in my
opinion, I believe that.., I agree/disagree…”
Don’t translate these expressions word for
word, look for their equivalents or see
Handout
Try to give lengthy answers, just “yes” or
“no” replies will mean more questions will
be asked!!

12. SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL
THINGS TO DO:
 Speak very clearly, slowly and loud
enough so that you can be understood.
 Stay calm, the more nervous you are, the
more it is going to affect your performance
If you don’t understand a question, ask the
examiner to explain it to you so that you
can provide an answer.
Try to speak as much as possible,
remember that you are marked on your oral
skills!!