How to Prepare for a Foreign Language Oral Exam

Oral examinations are often a big component of foreign language classes, and to many they are the most intimidating part of learning a new language. Don't let yourself be defeated by an oral test! If you're having trouble, consult these tips. They're all great ways to conquer your anxieties and deliver a stellar performance on your next oral exam!

Try to relax! I know it can be difficult, especially if you're afraid of public speaking, but when taking an oral exam, it is vital that you keep your wits about you. Having trouble calming down? Take a few deep breaths, and if you can, go for a short walk before taking your exam. Remind yourself that you know the material, and don't let yourself panic. Breathe. You're going to do just fine.

Practice, practice, practice! If you can, try having a conversation in your foreign language with a classmate or a native speaker. If you're studying on your own, repeat, write down, and memorize key words and phrases that you might need during your oral exam. If you're nervous, it's a good idea to have a few 'filler' phrases under your belt, which you can whip out in case there's an empty lull during your exam.

If you know yor instructor will require you to describe a person or place, for instance, prepare quick, short, descriptive sentences, like, "Russia is the biggest country in the world," "John is a very good friend," or "Washington is a beautiful state." It is a good idea to think up a few questions that might logically appear in your exam, and try to answer them aloud, without using your books. If there's any question you have a hard time answering in this manner, that's a good indication of an area you need to spend more time reviewing.

Be confident! A big part of learning a foreign language is letting go and allowing yourself to speak with confidence. If you stumble or say something wrong, don't be afraid to correct yourself, but don't slow down or over-analyze! Your instructor will appreciate your fluency and confidence, even if you make occasional mistakes.

Show off! If you're faced with a question you don't know how to answer, or just realized you've made a big mistake, it's ok to embellish a little, and throw in extra adjectives and conversational phrases. Prove to your instructor that you have been paying attention and do truly know your stuff, and they're less likely to penalize you for little mistakes.

Don't beat yourself up! Remember that everyone else in your class will make mistakes too! As long as you've studied and practiced the material, your performance will stack up favorably against everyone else in your class, and you will do fine.

Don't let yourself get intimidated! If it's just you and the instructor alone together it can sometimes be a little frightening to perform well because you'll feel like you're being put on the spot. Don't let yourself get frazzled! Your instructor is a nice, supportive person (hopefully), and believe it or not, they want you to succeed! Don't get in your own way! Just stay calm, rely on what you know, and show your stuff!