- Sometimes I get blocked because I don't remember a word. And I can't go on talking.
When practising for APTIS, some students get blocked when they can't remember a word and don't know how to go on. This is very unfortunate, but there's something we can try. Many of my students
have tried it and many have found it useful. I know this is hard to do, but the key is to be as relaxed as we possibly can, we need to take it easy, when answering and on ourselves. If this happens during the test, say something like: "Hold on, let me rephrase that", or "What I mean is..." And start again, choosing another structure and possibly something completely different to say. You decide on what you say. There's no ONE right answer. Whatever it is, if we worry too much, we get blocked. Try having fun when answering, don't take it too seriously. Another thing, it's always better not to tell the truth. That way, you will always be in control of what you're saying. You won't feel you need to say something in particular because it's the truth. Play with it. Imagine you're somebody else answering. Schwarzenegger, Lady Gaga, or any other curious or particularly distinctive celebrity.
- I don’t feel I learn as fast as I need to.
According to Lenneberg, Krasen, so many others, and my own personal modest experience: We are not machines. And we have better and not-so-good days. And our brain goes about creating language structure categories as it receives input. Input: everything we listen to, read, exercises we do, things coming in through our eyes or ears. As the input capacity level is reached, output starts. As a glass of water spilling out, over the brim. When there’s an output, we speak or write, making use of all the structures we learnt. That way, the learning or output can happen in chunks from time to time, after longer or shorter periods of input. So, you will see ups and downs in your learning experience curve, this is normal. Don’t measure your progress on a daily basis, measure it in weeks or fortnights. Otherwise, you risk getting frustrated, and Krashen goes on and on about how little we learn when we feel frustrated. And I think this is something we have all seen ourselves at some point. You can do it! All the best :)
- I can’t answer the question in the given time. I don’t know what to say.
I understand you perfectly. I’ve seen this happen to many of my students at the beginning, and to me too! at some point in life when talking to somebody in some awkward situation! There we are, not knowing what to say exactly. I think it’s the result of a particular mix of not having a clear idea for our answer and some kind of apprehension, a fear of saying the wrong thing. Sort of in an Everything-you-say-will-be-used-against-you style. Well, we need to know the British Council is not the police, and we are not criminals. So, of course we need to get a lot of practice in the same exam format and conditions to get used to it. But then again: we don’t need to come up with the “perfect” idea. It’s not a creativity or originality exam. It’s a language level test in its oral communication part. Meaning: whatever you say, if it’s well said and it answers the question, is perfectly ok, ALWAYS. What matters is how we say it, not what we say. Basically, what matters is the grammar structures we use, the vocabulary, the linking words. Practise making use of as many a variety of these as possible in different questions. And, on the day of the Aptis test: think you are at home, not at a Police Station. But, I see your point anyway, it’s happened to me too, wanting to give some reply some day to someone, and not finding the words. You can do it!! All the best :)
- What can I do to learn English faster?
Much of it depends on finding the way to get immersed in the language. Try making every day a learning experience. When you go walking, or when taking the bus or underground, try thinking in English, whatever comes to your mind, whatever you're thinking of, try doing it in English. This speeds up the learning process, and helps you get more and more fluent. Get everything in English, TV, videos... Immersion, even if it's just produced in your mind, speeds up the process.
I'm taking the test today and I'm so nervous...
I can imagine. What can I tell you? I know it's hard, but if you could think of it as a life experience, not as a death sentence, it would be easier maybe. Become James Bond in a mission, forget about all the rest, focus on your objective, clear your mind, and "shoot" at the answers one and again until you kill all the time. Soon you'll be happy at home with some James Bond martini.
All the best! You can do it!
Speaking Practice Tests - On this website you can find:
6 speaking practice tests for Aptis General
6 speaking practice tests for Aptis Advanced
2 speaking practice tests for Aptis Teachers