Strategies
Before taking the test
- Take the practice test. You need to be fully prepared for the OLT by knowing in advance what each of the tasks asks you to do. The actual content of the tasks differs, but what you are asked to do remains the same. Because the tasks are timed, it is important to know how to pace yourself.
- Take time to plan what you will say for task one. You can find this task on the CAEL website. Prepare it carefully. You will be asked to make presentations in your academic classes. In this case, you will be speaking about the subject you know best - you!
- Read out loud to yourself. You can pick up the ways to phrase things in your talk from your reading. An excellent way to improve your ability to express yourself in English is to read out loud to yourself. You may find that you understand what you are reading more if you read difficult sections out loud to yourself. Sometimes hearing what you read may be easier than reading silently.
During the test
- Try to speak slowly and clearly when you take the test. Because you may feel some pressure during the test, you may speak more quickly than you need to. Think of the way in which you speak when you are using a telephone. Taking the OLT is much like speaking on the telephone. If you speak too quickly or too softly, it will be more difficult to understand you.
- Emphasize getting your message across rather than worrying about grammatical perfection. If you find you think too much about what you are going to say before you say it, try to relax your expectations for perfection. Just say something - get the message out. Focus on the meaning and put it into words as best as you can.
- Speak for the full time. For each task you are given a time limit. Try to use all of the time that is given to you. The more you talk, the more you will be able to demonstrate your oral language skills. If you lose your train of thought, just begin with another related topic.
- Use the time provided to underline key words in the instructions of each task. This will help make sure that you clearly understand what you are being asked to do for each task.
- Use the time provided to underline key words or information within documents you are asked to speak about. This is especially relevant for Task 3 of the OLT in which you are asked to report on information about an academic document. Highlighting key information will help you focus your report on the information.
- When asked to take notes, take down as much detail as possible. This is especially relevant to Task 2, in which you will listen to some recorded information and report on it. The notes will help you remember the details of the information when you are asked to talk about it.
- Don't spend too much time on words you have trouble pronouncing. This is especially relevant for Task 4 in which you are asked to read from an excerpt of academic text. You may come across words that are new to you. Try to pronounce the word once or twice, but don't let yourself get stuck on it. Simply continue reading.
- Elaborate on points using your own words. This is especially relevant for Task 5 in which you are asked to speak in a group discussion. Although there are points of information provided to you, try to elaborate when you can, using your own words.