CELPIP TEST PREPARATION SERIES (Part – 2)

The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) Tests are Canada’s leading general English tests for immigration and professional designations. These tests have been consistently proven to allow test takers to display their functional language proficiency in lab environment. Despite the fact that during CEPIP exam, the test takers are not in their usual community environment, it is expected that they act like that, in order to perform their best on questions in CELPIP exam, that are picked from day-to-day exchanges in communication.

In this part of CELPIP Test Preparation Series, the strategy to achieve best possible score on Task -1 ‘Giving Advice’ (Speaking Module) is discussed.

Speaking tasks require you to read the question from the desktop screen and speak into the microphone. Unlike some other language proficiency tests, CELPIP tests do not require you to have any human interaction while answering. Hence, it is assumed that the person you are responding to, through the microphone, is listening to you directly. However, be informed that there is no one on the other end and your voice is only getting recorded to be rated later by Paragon certified CELPIP raters in Canada.

Now, assuming that two test takers have read the prompt of task-1 ‘giving advice’ and recorded their answers, let’s analyze and evaluate their speeches. Consider the fact that both the test takers had only 90 seconds to give their best possible answers.

Question / Prompt – Your friend is planning to rent out an apartment in your city to finish her research work. Advise her on some of the economical and suitable places.

Recorded speech of Speaker 1 –  “I understand that you are going to move to my city and you are looking for some economical place to live. I would like to advise……..I hope you will consider the places suggested by me.”

Recorded speech of Speaker 2 – “Hey Sara, you have multiple options here. In fact, some community people have signed up with B&B services and they offer best experience to people coming on temporary basis. They also offer on-request special meals. I also like the idea of you renting out a room in ‘Wonderful Houses’ community on sharing basis. It is on the city outskirts in peaceful….Think through these options and I will explore more in the meantime.”

Notice the difference between two speeches. An informal register is expected while answering the question. But, Speaker 1 has used highly formal tone in reproducing redundant information. Whereas, Speaker 2 has quickly gauged the situation and straight away come to the point giving multiple solutions with supporting details. While comparing and contrasting the speeches above, it feels as if Speaker 1 could not connect with the ‘listener’ and also failed to put herself in advisor’s shoes.

Remember that speaking tasks are evaluated on certain performance standards. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you organize your thoughts first and then start vocalizing them in meaningful and structured sentences, using wide range of vocabulary with the help of a tone that fits into the given social context. Likewise, the message needs to be well-developed, complete and meaningful. Remind yourself to ‘be yourself’! The more relaxed you feel and behave, the better it would be for your expression during CELPIP exam!

This article is second part of the CELPIP TEST PREPARATION SERIES.