A key part of any student’s journey from Primary 1 to Primary 6 is mastering the art of meaningful and productive communication. It’s essential to understand that language isn’t just about grammar and vocabulary, but also about expressing thoughts, ideas, and feelings in a clear, understandable way. The Stimulus-based Conversation in the PSLE English Oral Communication component offers an excellent opportunity for students to demonstrate this skill.

This component is centered around a visual stimulus, and it’s designed to evaluate a child’s ability to use language in an authentic, engaging conversation. The MOE and SEAB have crafted this examination to assess students’ verbal communication skills, and to see how they’re able to express personal responses to various themes and ideas presented in the visual stimulus.

Here’s what’s expected of students in this component. They should begin by providing an initial response to the visual stimulus, sharing their thoughts, feelings, and interpretations of what they see. The examiner then leads a conversation based on the student’s response. During this conversation, students should aim to express their ideas clearly, provide personal responses to the examiner’s questions, and demonstrate their ability to listen and respond appropriately.

Students are expected to show their understanding of the broader themes in the conversation and the ability to relate these themes to their personal experiences, opinions, or the world around them. This could include drawing comparisons, sharing related anecdotes, or discussing the implications of the themes.

Good conversational skills are essential, such as taking turns, showing interest in the conversation, and actively engaging with the examiner. In terms of language, students should strive to use appropriate, varied vocabulary and clear, accurate grammar. They should also aim to speak clearly and fluently, using suitable tone and volume.

Lastly, while it’s important to express personal opinions, students should also demonstrate respect and consideration for other perspectives, highlighting their ability to engage in thoughtful and balanced discussions. This will not only help them excel in the PSLE English Oral Communication examination but also in their broader educational journey and future personal and professional life.