Get ready for your Speaking proficiency test: webinar summary

Answering short personal questions

Do … Don’t …

• include a range of vocabulary • give a list

• include a range of grammar • give a very short answer
• add some extra details • repeat the question.
• answer the question
• use the time allowed
• identify the topic of the
question.

Organizing a longer response

• Read the question carefully

• Use the time available to think about what you will say
• Use a variety of linking words to make longer sentences and structure
your talk.

Practising your speaking skills

Onyour
On yourown
own With a friend or classmate
• Record yourself speaking • Agree a time with a friend or a
• Listen to yourself classmate to practise
• Analyse your answer • Speak in person or online
• Check your pronunciation of • Choose a topic to talk about before
words with the Oxford you meet
Advanced Learner’s • Have one person be the examiner
Dictionary Online who asks practice questions
• Answer the question again. • Time your answers.
Go online
• Search ‘improve English speaking alone’
• Search ‘English language exchange online’
• Find English learning apps, such as Say It: English Pronunciation App by
Oxford University Press
• Visit the Learning Resources Bank from Oxford University Press
• Use online resources for textbooks
• Use the online exam practice materials at www.oxfordtestofenglish.com
• Work through Speaking Tips: Tips and practice for the Speaking module of the
Oxford Test of English and Oxford Test of English for Schools
• Look up the most important words in English in the Oxford 3000 and 5000.

Get ready for your Speaking proficiency test: webinar summary

©Oxford University Press (May 2020) Page 2

Ideas for practising answering short personal questions
In the webinar, one of the ideas we suggested was to create flashcards with questions and then time
yourself answering them.

Here are six flashcards to get you started. Each one has an example of a question like those you might
get in Speaking Part 1 of the Oxford Test of English. In this part of the test, you will have 20 seconds
to answer questions like these.

Can you describe a present Tell me about a place you

someone gave you that you would like to visit.
really liked?

Do you spend more time What sports are popular in

with family or with your country?
friends?

What other languages Tell me how you met your

apart from English would best friend.
you like to learn?

For more information about the Oxford Test of English and the format of the test, please visit our
website: www.oxfordtestofenglish.com

Get ready for your Speaking proficiency test: webinar summary

©Oxford University Press (May 2020) Page 2