How to Prepare for the O level English Oral Examination

As of 2023, the O level English Oral Exam follows the new 1184 O level Syllabus.

Under the 1184 O level English syllabus, the Oral exam consist of two components:

Part 1: Planned Response (15 marks)

Students plan and deliver a response to a video clip and accompanying prompt presented on a computer screen.

Part 2: Spoken Interaction (15 marks)

Students engage in a discussion with the Examiners on a topic based on the same video clip.

Common Challenges Faced by Students

Based on interviews and feedback by the past O level students, the biggest challenge they face is the inability to provide examples or personal experiences to support their response. The topic given may have been something unfamiliar to them, which leads to brief responses that lack depth, clarity and content.

This lack of confidence also contributes to muffled speaking, stammering or even going off-topic.

Tips to Prepare for the O level English Oral

1. Build Strong Content Foundations

Build strong content knowledge across common O Level Oral themes such as family, sports, community, technology, and artificial intelligence. Create concise, well-organised notes with a few key ideas for each topic, rather than overcrowding your revision with excessive details. Overloading yourself with information can increase stress and lead to mental blocks on the day of the examination.

2. Practise Confident and Controlled Delivery

Pay close attention to your pace and delivery, and practise speaking with calm confidence. Nervousness often causes students to rush through their responses or insert unnecessary pauses. During practice, aim to maintain a steady, natural rhythm. Where possible, practise with a friend or teacher and seek constructive, honest feedback to refine your delivery and clarity.

3. Learn from Professional Communicators

Regularly watch the news or listen to the radio, and observe how journalists and presenters communicate their ideas. These professionals model clear articulation, effective emphasis, and confident expression. At the same time, this habit helps you stay informed about current affairs, which can significantly strengthen the relevance and depth of your responses during the Oral examination.

4. Strengthen Responses with Personal Insight

Enrich your answers with personal experiences and thoughtful elaboration. Avoid surface-level responses; instead, offer insights, examples, or reflections that support your points. Personal details not only make your ideas more convincing but also help you engage the examiner and stand out with authenticity and depth.

Start Preparations for the O level Oral Exam

Preparing well for the O Level Oral examination requires consistent and purposeful practice over time.

If you are looking for condensed O Level English Oral notes and practical strategies to improve O Level Oral performance, contact us to find out more about our specialised

English programmes.

Our O Level English Oral lessons are carefully curated and led by a team of experienced English specialists, equipping students with proven techniques, clear frameworks, and effective strategies to strengthen their O Level English preparation with confidence and direction.