MALAYSIAN UNIVERSITY ENGLISH TEST (MUET) SPEAKING EXAM

AHMAD ASHAARI ALIAS

CONTENT• EXAM FORMAT

– MEANING OF TERMS– INSTRUCTIONS– EVALUATION

• TASK FULFILLMENT• LANGUAGE• COMMUNICATIVE ABILITY

• PREPARATION– EFFECTIVE PREPARATION

• LISTING AND NUMBERING• REASONING AND STEPS (WH-QUESTIONS)

• DELIVERY– LANGUAGE EXPRESSIONS– SIMPLE IDIOMS/PROVERBS– VOICE PROJECTION– NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

EXAM FORMAT

• QUESTION PAPER• MEANING OF TERMS• INSTRUCTIONS• EVALUATION

TERMS

• TASK – what you have to do• INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATION – conduct a

presentation individually• RESPONSE AND/OR VIEWS – answers to the task• GROUP INTERACTION – group discussion• SUPPORT OR OPPOSE – agree or disagree• GROUP DECISION – which out of the four is

mostly agreed (conclusion)

INSTRUCTIONS

• TASK A– 2 MINUTES TO PREPARE– 2 MINUTES TO PRESENT– AS OTHERS ARE PRESENTING, TAKE DOWN NOTES FOR TASK B

• TASK B– 2 MINUTES TO PREPARE– 10 MINUTES TO DISCUSS– MAY MAINTAIN OR CHANGE VIEWS PRESENTED IN TASK A– MAY SUPPORT OR OPPOSE OTHER CANDIDATES’ VIEWS– AT THE END OF THE DISCUSSION, COME TO A GROUP DECISION

EVALUATION

• TASK A– Task Fulfillment – content – Language – accuracy – Communicative ability – fluency, non-verbal communication,

style

• TASK B– Task Fulfillment – content – Language – accuracy – Communicative ability – fluency, non-verbal communication,

managing a discussion/displaying initiatives

PREPARATION

• Fold your paper into 4 sections• Label the sections accordingly• Prepare your response for TASK A according to

your section• As you listen to others, take down notes

according to their sections

Note taking

• Pay attention to THE REASONS and THE STEPS• While preparing TASK B, evaluate and

challenge the reasons and the steps by comparing and contrasting with other options.

PREPARATION

• Sample Responses (TASK A)SituationFast food outlets have many advantages. What are some of the advantages?

Task A: Fast food outlets provide a convenient service. Elaborate.

Dos & Don’tsDOs DON’Ts

List your ideas accordingly Write your ideas in paragraph(s)

Number your ideas as indicator Read word by word from your paper

Maintain natural conversation – eye contact etc.

DELIVERY

• LANGUAGE EXPRESSIONS (TASK A)Introduction Body Conclusion

• Greet and introduce yourself• Good afternoon to

examiners and candidates

• My name is Abu, Candidate A for this session

• State the purpose of presentation• Rephrase situation

and task*

• General + Details• Firstly, … (short

sentence)• This is because… • For example, …

• General + Details• Next, … (short sentence)

• This is generally true as…

• For example, …• General + Details

• Next, … (short sentence)• This is due to… • For instance, …

• Restate the purpose• Finally, I would like

to stress one more time that …

• Express your hope• It is hoped that by

understanding these reasons and steps, (reflect situation)

SAMPLE

• SituationViolence against women has increased steadily over the years. Who could play an effective role in curbing this problem?

• Task A: Women themselves could play an effective role in curbing this problem. Explain.

Rephrase – Stating the Purpose

• SituationViolence against women3 has increased steadily over the years. Who could play an effective role in curbing this problem?

• Task A: Women themselves could play an effective role in curbing2 this problem. Explain1.

• I am going to explain how women themselves could play an effective role in curbing violence against them.

DELIVERY

• LANGUAGE EXPRESSIONS (TASK B)Introduction Body** Conclusion

• Greet and introduce yourself• Good afternoon to

examiners and candidates

• State the purpose of presentation• Rephrase situation

and task*

• Asking for and giving opinions

• Interrupting and resuming expressing of opinions

• Giving encouragement• Expressing

agreement/partial agreement/disagreement

• Constructive disagreement

• State group decision• It is agreed that …

(refer to task*) • Express your hope

• It is hoped that by understanding these reasons and steps, (reflect situation)

SAMPLE

• SituationViolence against women has increased steadily over the years. Who could play an effective role in curbing this problem?

• Task B: Discuss which of the following would play the most effective role in curbing violence against women.– Women themselves– The authorities– Society– The mass media

SAMPLE LANGUAGE EXPRESSIONS

• Asking for and giving opinions– What do you think of…? – From my point of view…

• Interrupting and resuming expressing of opinions– Excuse me for interrupting, but… – As I was saying

SAMPLE LANGUAGE EXPRESSIONS

• Giving encouragement– Uh-huh, mm-hmm, yeah, right, yes

• Expressing agreement/partial agreement/disagreement– I agree with you– That’s a good point, but…– No, I don’t think so.

• Constructive disagreement– I completely understand your concern but I would

disagree because…

DELIVERY

• Voice Projection• Non-verbal communication