How to Prepare for the Teaching Oral Exam

Everyone knows that feeling of anxiety and stress before the upcoming teaching oral exam. So, you should be aware of types of questions that are going to be asked, how to be well prepared and how to perform well during the exam. The teaching oral exam is mostly about making a good impression that you have not only a large knowledge of the language, but also by showing your self-confidence

In this post, you will find a series of tips and almost all what you need on how to pass the teaching oral exam successfully

First: The purpose of the teaching oral examination is to check whether you master the subject you are willing to teach, but most important that you be able to present your communication skills, competences and give an overall presentation of yourself. That’s the reason why you are not only to prepare and study for the oral exam, but you also should pay attention to the way you are going to present your knowledge. Because speaking with confidence during the oral exam usually helps make a good impression on the interviewer and score additional points as well

Second: The voice tone is an important and essential factor, so you should control your tone of voice during the oral exam. If for instance you speak too softly, the interviewer may find it difficult to hear what you are saying and that may show your lack of confidence. But if you speak too loudly, the interviewer may find it tiring to listen to you

Third: Avoiding unnecessary filler words is very important because they may make your message difficult to understand and distract the interviewer’s attention from the essence of what you want to convey. The interviewer finds nothing more frustrating, disappointing and boring than listening to a speaker saying “um…” and “ah…” all the time. These types of expressions are called filler words which are usually used when feeling hesitated to say something, but most of the time they are considered as a speaking habit or a sign of nervousness that are spontaneous and no longer controled. If such expressions are not avoided during the interview, they will destroy the impression of confidence you are trying to make. For that reason, you should reduce the number of filler words or try not to use them at all for your own good. And, in order to avoid them, why not try to do more practice before the exam by recording your speech and listen to it so as to amend and right your way of speaking or using filler words. For example; if you use a filler word before every sentence or after a number of words said, then you should clean up the speech until it sounds better

Fourth: In the oral exam, you have to speak with confidence and have to be self-confident as well. In order to be self-confident, they need to prepare properly and know well the subject they are going to take the oral exam in. It’s best for them to do some deep research about the topics that are going to be covered in the exam and what they really need to pay attention to so that they can feel comfortable and not suprised during the examination.  Sometimes lecturers provide a list of questions that may appear on the exam in advance. If you don’t have a pool of questions available, try to prepare a list of questions that may appear on the exam by yourself and work on it

Fifth:  During the oral exam, it is of great importance not only to speak clearly but you have also to listen very closely and carefully. Listening to the questions with attention gives you a golden opportunity to answer properply and make impression that you are very acquainted with the subject you are taking exam in. But when you don't understand the question, it is better to ask the interviewer to say it again or rephrase it than to speak off-topic and sometimes a brief, concise and clear answer is better than long and complicated statements. Additionally, try to avoid giving chaotic answers and make them well constructed instead and focus on answering only what you are asked

Things to avoid during the oral exam

In addition to the above-mentioned set of tips that may help you pass the oral exam, below are several things you must avoid during the exam that can damage your self-confidence

Don't be nervous: When you feel nervous, just take a deep breath before you enter the exam room and try to smile and make it look a normal meeting

Bad attitude: Do not make too much and unecessary movements as playing with your fingers or hands which show that you are uncomfortable and stressful. But you should to stay still and try to show a positive attitude

Mobile phone on: The worst of what you hear during the oral exam is your phone ringing or vibrating. So, you should not forget to turn it off before entering the exam room or just mute it completely

Don’t give one- or two-word answers: Saying yes, no or of course and not providing a reason for your answer will not demonstrate the abilities and qualifications you wanted to show