Common Mistakes

in Speaking
 Average band score of test
takers in the Philippines

• 6.8 (Academic)
• 6.4 (General Training)
 Grading Criteria
• Fluency and Cohesion
• Vocabulary and Lexical
Resource
• Grammar
• Pronunciation
Common Mistakes
with Fluency and
Cohesion
 Stuttering, Fillers (uhm…, hmmm…)
Cause Solution

Uncomfortable / Practice
Nervousness / Self-
consciousness
Limited vocabulary Read more / Observe
English speakers
Does not understand the Know what to expect /
question / Unfamiliar with Fish for answers / Be
the topic honest
 Cause Solution
Trying not to Acceptable but DO
commit fillers NOT OVERDO IT
Unable to link Use linking words
words, phrases and and discourse
sentences to form markers
an idea
COMMON LINKING WORDS / DISCOURSE
MARKERS
Introducing opinions
I guess, I think, I believe

Introducing reasons
Because

Introducing results of something

So

Uncertain?
Maybe, Probably
Ideas lack organization
• Common cause
TOO MANY IDEAS!!!
Ideas lack organization
Solution? Arrange ideas with any of
the ff:
1. Chronological Order
2. Spatial Order
3. Causal Order
4. Problem-Solution Order
5. Topical Order
 Hesitation, Self-Correction
Cause Solution

Focusing too much on Commit to your

vocabulary and answers and do not
grammar make mistakes
obvious
Changing answers in Think (quickly, about
the middle of 1-2 seconds) before
speaking you talk. Anticipate
questions.
 Long Pauses, Keeping Quiet
Cause Solution
Trying to come up with Do not worry about your
impressive answers ideas. THIS IS A
SPEAKING TEST NOT
AN INTELLIGENCE
TEST.
Distracted / Day-dreaming Focus on the task at
/ Thinking about hand. FOCUS ON THE
consequences of test EXAM.
results
Thinking of better or Make use of available
appropriate words words
 Short Answers
Cause Solution
Answering with ‘yes’ or Do not shoot yourself in
‘no’ / Responding to the foot
questions using one
word or sentence
No structure (Speaking Do not limit your answers
Task 2) to the bullet points or
guide questions below
the task description.
 Short Answers
Cause Solution
Answering with ‘yes’ or Do not shoot yourself in
‘no’ / Responding to the foot
questions using one
word or sentence
No structure (Speaking Do not limit your answers
Task 2) to the bullet points or
guide questions below
the task description.
 Getting off topic
Cause Solution
Talking too much Answer the
/ Getting carried question in 3-4
away sentences.
Common Mistakes with
Vocabulary and
Lexical Resource
 Cause Solution
Misuse of words Avoid complex or
highfalutin words.
Repeated use of Expand your
specific words vocabulary. If you
cannot think of a
synonym, replace
the word with a
phrase that
describes it.
 Cause Solution
Overuse of Substitute
Transition Signals transitional devices
you use in writing
with more common
words to sound
natural.
Overuse of adverbs Look for synonyms
of words that
require modifiers.
 Cause Solution
Parroting the Paraphrase / Directly
examiner answer the question
Standard introduction Introduce the topic in
– Speaking Task 2 a less obvious
manner

Murmuring in Filipino Try to describe the

object/topic if you do
not know the word for
it
Common Mistakes
with Grammar
Via: DaveBleasdale (https://www.flickr.com/photos/sidelong/)
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/#
Grammatical errors
• Common cause
UNFINISHED / INCOMPLETE
SENTENCES!!!
*Subject-verb agreement
Ex. William is a sports enthusiast. He…
LIKE play basketball

*Inappropriate personal pronouns

(gender)
Ex. My father is a businessman and…
SHE knows how to make money.
*Nouns and pronouns contradict in number
Ex. I think students should not be forced to
do unpaid work for the community
because… HE should be enjoying HIS life.

*Prepositions
I enjoyed studying statistics… back ON my
college days.
Grammatical errors
Solution?
Complete a sentence in your
head before delivering it
Common Mistakes
with Pronunciation
Image source: https://pixabay.com/en/talk-face-person-shouting-157724/
 Talking too fast

Cause Solution
Too excited / Take deep breaths /
Nervousness Use hand gestures
Slurring / Audibility
Mouth is not opened Open your mouth
wide enough / wider while talking but
Uncertain with don’t overdo it /
response or answer Practice answering
questions
 Flat intonation
Cause Solution
Not expressing Variety of intonation,
emotions when pitch, volume and
talking pace (speaking
speed)
Mispronunciation
Regional accent / Pay attention to
Mispronunciation was mouth movement
not corrected early on
 REMEMBER
There’s a difference between:
• rich and reach
• sap and zap
• pail and fail
• ban and van
 Flat intonation
Cause Solution
Not expressing Variety of intonation,
emotions when pitch, volume and
talking pace (speaking
speed)
Mispronunciation
Regional accent / Pay attention to
Mispronunciation was mouth movement
not corrected early on
 MORE HELPFUL TIPS
• Undergo at least 10 coaching
sessions before applying for
the test
• Attend minor lectures related
to speaking
 MORE HELPFUL TIPS
• Attend grammar lectures
• Review your Orange Book
• Practice answering Speaking
Task Cards
• Expand your vocabulary
 MORE HELPFUL TIPS
• Watch English movies/TV
shows
• Be confident on your
preparations
• Start strong and finish strong
• Aim for 9.0!
THANK YOU!!!