Common Speaking Mistakes CELPIP Takers Need to Avoid

Is your CELPIP exam date close? Do you want to achieve your score goals on your first attempt? Make every second of your remaining review period count. Take as many practice tests as you can. Refine your CELPIP strategies and remind yourself of the various dos and don’ts when answering the exam.

Here are the most common mistakes that test takers commit when preparing for and taking the CELPIP speaking exam.

      1.    Developing a British or American accent

Having an English accent won’t raise your speaking score. So, don’t waste time developing one. Focus on refining your linguistic skills instead. Make sure you’re using varied and appropriate vocabulary and proper grammar when you speak.

      2.    Providing incomplete answers  

Don’t limit your responses. Give the CELPIP checkers as much content as possible to score. It’ll help them rate your performance as accurately as possible. So, elaborate on your answers. Explain your key points thoroughly, give examples, and share relevant anecdotes. Talk as much as you can in the limited time allotted to the task. With that said, however, make sure you don’t end up…

      3.    Going off topic

No matter how interesting an idea or anecdote is, don’t mention it if it’s not directly relevant to the prompt. You’ll only waste time that you could have spent expanding and enhancing your response. Pay attention to the task prompts to avoid this. Also, avoid providing redundant responses. Repeating words and phrases is a sign of limited vocabulary. Paraphrase your responses and use synonyms if you need to reiterate previous points. 

      4.    Not addressing all the prompts and tasks  

The CELPIP exam is completely delivered via computer. So, instead of relaying your responses to an examiner like in other English proficiency exams, you’ll have to record your answers using the provided recording devices. Make sure you address all the prompts in the instructions. Read and understand the tasks. Organize your thoughts and prepare your response before you talk into the speaker. Failure to tackle all the prompts will cost you points.

      5.    Speaking as fast as possible to finish the test early

Talking too fast reflects poorly on your oral fluency. It can also mess up your answer’s meaning. So, don’t be hasty when you provide your responses. Pace yourself. At the beginning of the CELPIP exam, you’ll be given the opportunity to try out the recording device. Consider how your voice sounds in the recording. Then, figure out the best tone, volume, and pace when responding to the prompts.

Set yourself up for CELPIP success! Make sure you’re not making any of these mistakes during your CELPIP preparation exam efforts to enhance your performance in the speaking test.

References:

Canadian Immigrant. "10 Strategies for Success on the CELPIP Test." Canadian Immigrant. January 05, 2018. Accessed September 4, 2018. http://canadianimmigrant.ca/careers-and-education/language/10-strategies-for-success-on-the-celpip-english-test.

"How to Prepare for CELPIP—Tips from First-hand Experience." Ashton College. September 06, 2017. Accessed September 4, 2018. https://www.ashtoncollege.ca/prepare-celpip-tips-first-hand-experience/.

"Study Tips." CELPIP. Accessed September 4, 2018. https://www.celpip.ca/study-tips/.