Smile =) : Some Tips For Muet Speaking

1. Dress well. Smart and neat.

2. Don't forget your IC and slip.

3. Memorise the list of words/phrases that are useful for tasks A & B.

4. When you enter the quarantine room, decide who in your group will start the group discussion and who will end. The one who concludes my start making a conclusion on the 9th minute so pay close attention to your own watch.

5. You will be given one minute to read the question. After that you can ask anything you want. You MUST ask something even if you think you understand because the examiner will try to give you more ideas and you can HEAR the words being spoken so you can adjust your pronunciation.

6. Always smile and look confident even though you feel like a lump of nerves.

7. Divide the blank paper given into 4 quadrants for A, B, C & D. Write your 3 points in your section. Always give 3 main points with reasons and real examples. If you can't describe all 3 points and you have no conclusion, don't panic. NO MARKS WILL BE DEDUCTED. All you have to do is to speak continously for 2 minutes and give as much elaboration as possible. Think of mature ideas. Think of what the individual can do, then what society can do and finally how the government can address the issue if this is relevant to your question.

8. Take notes in the remaining 3 quadrants when your fellow candidates are speaking. You can 'borrow' their ideas for task B.

9. Use the 2 mins prep. time for task B to rank your opinions. Which is more important? Example, D, A , C then B is the last choice. Give reasons why A, C & B are NOT THE BEST

10. Fight (politely) for a chance to speak during the discussion by interrupting in a gentlemanly way. (may i interrupt, can i add something pls.., sorry to intterupt but, pardon me but...etc). However, do not be a control freak and talk too much. On the other hand, do not be a mouse without a voice. Equal opportunity for all to speak and you will get bonus marks for teamwork. If you friend runs out of ideas or forgets a word, offer your opinion. This is what a good discussion is about, sharing ideas and thoughts.

11. When you are blank just 1) repeat what your friends have just said. OR 2) tell your friends you didn't understand their point and could they please repeat it. NEVER be silent for a long time. 3) Just ask the next person what they think instead.

12. If there is plenty of time left, and you have already come to a decision, ask the others their opinion on why the other points ARE NOT SUITABLE. (Why dont we consider candidate A's point? Why do you think it isnt suitable? etc)

13. If your group manages to do a conclusion within 10 minutes, it will be a better discussion. 4/4: we all agree that.. 3/4 most of us agree that... 2/4 some of use agree that... while others think that... 0/4 NONE of us agree that...

14. If your group DID NOT MANAGE to make a conclusion, dont panic. NO MARKS WILL BE DEDUCTED. In real life, not all conversations have a conclusion.

15. Smile politely and thank the examiners before you leave  

-Syuhada-