Before the speaking exams

Speaking exams are around the corner…  In her latest blog post, Libby Franklin our TTLH Affiliate School Advocate shares some top tips for supporting your students in run up to the big day.

1. Pre-plan the logistics. 

Plan the timetable considering students with extra time and other access arrangements.  Share the timetable with teaching staff, the exams officer and put printed copies on your classroom door.  Book preparation and exam rooms and make sure you have the required ‘warning to candidate’ signs and any additional paperwork required. Your exams officer will be able to help with this.

2. Ensure you understand the exam board requirements.

If you are conducting speaking exams, make sure you have read the ‘Instructions for the Conduct of Exams’ guide for your exam board so you are fully aware of the requirements  These guides can be downloaded from the exam boards’ websites.

3. Check the technology

Ensure that your digital recording devices are fully charged, or that you have spare batteries on hand. Check the sound quality on these devices if they are new and ensure that all staff are familiar with using these devices in advance of the exams.

4. Have a back-up plan. 

What happens if a student doesn’t arrive for their exam? If the recording device stops part way through the recording? If a student is unwell or gets upset during the exam? Make sure everyone in the Languages team knows what to do if things don’t go according to plan and where the HOD, exams officer or Leadership support will be on the day.

5. Consider a ‘warm-up’ room.

It is natural that students will be nervous on the day of the exam. Consider establishing a ‘warm-up’ room where students can go to 15 minutes prior to their preparation time to get ‘in the zone’. If possible, arrange for this to be supervised by your Language Assistant or A level linguists who can provide last-minute words of encouragement and/or practice.   

6. Manage the nerves with a ‘magical prop’ or a fiddle toy.

To break the ice when students enter the exam room, offer them a ‘prop’ to wear related to the TL, and tell them that it possesses magical TL speaking powers. For instance, a French beret or miniature sombrero. Fiddle toys (paperclips, soft toys and therapy putty) can also help to focus a student’s attention and calm their nerves.

7. Organise some rewards for after the exam!

The speaking exams are extremely stressful for students, (and teachers) and it is a good idea to end the experience with a small reward.