This part of the Secondary 5 Ministry Exam covers the ability to speak confidently when you are put on the spot requires preparation.
For more information on how to prepare the evaluation, watch part 2 of the Crash Course.
The following are some tips and tricks to help you prepare for your evaluation.
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Read your Preparation Booklet beforehand |
Many students rush head first into evaluations without preparation. Make sure you read and write down personal opinions about the texts you’ve read in class in your Preparation Booklet. |
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Relax! |
It might seem simple, but breathing deeply and slowly before starting a stressful task like this one is very helpful. Try it! |
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Listen |
During the discussion, your fellow students will mention details and information that you might be able to reuse. Reformulate it to add to the conversation or to ask pertinent questions. Keep your ears open! |
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Repeat or reformulate |
Repeating or reformulating can be a powerful tool to gain some time so you can organize your thoughts before telling others your opinion on the subject at hand. |
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Ask clarifying questions |
Don’t hesitate to interrupt the speaker to ask a clarifying question, it shows that you are paying attention. It also gives the opportunity for your teammates to reformulate their thoughts. It’s a win-win situation for all of you! |
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Pause and think |
Silence is golden. When used properly, a pause will make people pay attention to what you are about to say. Make sure you do not overdo it, or that you do not pause for too long, because it can become a double-edged sword. Your listeners can lose interest. |
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Organize your thoughts |
When you are expressing your opinion, it can be useful to list in your mind 1 or 2 main points you want to elaborate on. This can be done in combination with the Pause and think strategy. This way your ideas are clear and organized. |
See the official Ministry Rubric for the C1 Evaluation.