Oral Examinations

 These can be quite daunting for many students. Having to go into a room, face-to-face with an examiner that you don't know, and have a conversation with them in a language that you probably aren't fluent in. But don't let them get to you. With some practice and confidence, you will gain lots of marks through your oral.

Try and find someone that speaks the language you are doing the oral in. Talk to them. Bring along your notes. My parents are able to speak French and Irish, so I found it convinient being able to practice with them. But if you don't have any friends or family that speak a foreign language, your teacher is here to help. Most language teachers are willing to give up their time to help you.

Practice unforseen circumstances. Don't expect every question that you are asked to come off the department's sheet. Remember, the examiner is there to have a conversation that flows naturally. In a real life situation you will not be asked 'do you have brothers and sisters?' followed by 'how much pocket money do you receive?' . So, be prepared to be tested. Don't panic if you stop. You can always ask the examiner to repeat what they have said, or explain that you don't understand.

Do not make up fake answers in order to show-off your vocabulary. For example, if you pretend you visited Paris last summer, the examiner may begin to probe you with questions about the holiday like; 'Did you see the Eifel Tower, what did you think of it?' .

Learn-off the role plays and stories. These are sections of the oral that are a give-away in terms of marks. Particularly in French, the role-plays are a section where students have the potential to get full marks in. Also in Irish, students should learn the responses off by heart. But pronunciation is key. It is of utmost importance to pronounce the sentences correctly, including any accents on letters.