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TSE TIPS |
2006-2-14 13:06:48
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The TSE is going away soon. Good riddance, right? However, many of you are
still scheduled to take it during the period from now until June, 2006. Here
are some myths regarding the TSE that time has proven all too correct:
Myth: Start every sentence with the word "well" because Americans like to
hear that word.
Reality: Wrong. If you follow that advice you will sound like a moron, and
the raters will suspect you practiced, or memorized, answers. The raters
have heard that "technique" used for years and consider that those using it
have memorized answers.
Myth: As soon as I make my point, or answer the question, I can quit
speaking.
Reality: The instructions from the TSE are to start speaking when you hear
the beginning "beep" and stop speaking when you hear the ending "beep".
Follow instructions and speak for the full one minute time for each
question.
Myth: If I give a really good answer it will compensate for my poor English
Reality: Your answer isn t scored. As long as your response is on-topic it
cannot be wrong. After all, they are asking your opinion nine times, and
your opinion, by definition, cannot be wrong. It is only your voice
(pronunciation, diction, intonation, etc.) that is rated.
Myth: If I choose a reviewer with an 88% or 94% or 100% pass rate I will do
better.
Reality: Let s be serious. Every local "reviewer" uses statistics like
these. If they were true, why is the overall pass rate in the Philippines
(and India) less than 20%. Companies use statistics like drunk people use
lamp posts - to support a shaky proposition. Test results are all up to you.
Frankly a local reviewer, one that uses local instructors that learned
English in the same schools you did is not a very good choice. Oh, and by
the way, if your "reviewer" uses your native non-English language in class
or in their office, or if they should answer their telephone and then say
"for a while", run away. Run away quickly.
Myth: "On this fine day . . .". Americans like to hear about the weather so
start the picture story this way.
Reality: The TSE raters have been hearing this phrase, and phrases like it,
for years. They perceive that those who use such phrases are not practicing
English but rather practicing, and memorizing, answers. Memorizing is
cheating. Cheating results in lowered scores. Enough said.
Myth: Always use the X axis and Y axis with a line graph, etc.
Reality: Again, the TSE raters have heard these same stock answers for
years, and the person using such "techniques" is running the risk of a lower
score.
Myth: Make sure to name each character in the picture story question.
Americans like to hear names.
Reality: This is another "technique" that is basically useless.
Myth: I enrolled in a speech-making class (or Toastmasters) to help me
prepare.
Reality: Speech instruction with a local instructor will endow you with
precisely the wrong intonations, pronunciations, and diction. They will
teach you how to pontificate, and how to dramatize your speech. I guaranteed
that the TSE raters will fall of their chairs laughing if you attempt this
technique.
Myth: Test question "leakage" will help me prepare better for the TSE.
Reality: Obtaining actual test questions actually violates TSE rules. That
aside, to what purpose would you use the questions? To prepare answers and
practice them beforehand?. Again, that would be cheating. Not only that,
memorizing answers is the worst technique possible. It is easy to detect
someone reciting from memory, and scores are lowered because of that. The
other factor is that you could very well get into the test facility and be
presented with entirely new questions you hadn t even considered.
Myth: I have to speak quickly so that I can make my point. I need to get all
of my answer included.
Reality: Since your answer content isn t graded, it doesn t make any
difference if you completely finish your answer. Speaking quickly will only
make you unintelligible. Speak at a nice pace with each word pronounced
clearly, distinctly, and separately.
You pass the TSE by sounding like an educated American. You must use correct
pronunciations (just as they are found in any good American English
dictionary), intonations, diction, and fluidity. That means using true
native-American English speakers as your model and as your instructors.
Trying to pass the TSE by using instructors who took the same English
classes in your same country is like learning to swim by riding a bicycle.
You need a native American English speaker as a model. You also need total
immersion in American English.
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