PSLE Oral 2025 – What Every Parent Needs to Know

When it comes to preparing for the PSLE English paper, many parents focus heavily on composition writing and comprehension. However, the Oral Communication component now accounts for 20% of your child’s total English grade — a significant portion that can lift an average score or pull it down.

If your child struggles with confidence, expression, or simply freezes up when put on the spot, the PSLE Oral Exam can feel intimidating. But with the right training and practice, it can become a strength.

Let’s take a closer look at what the PSLE Oral format looks like in 2025, and how you can best support your child’s preparation.

Understanding the PSLE Oral Format

There are two segments in the oral assessment, conducted face-to-face with an examiner.

1. Reading Aloud

(15 marks)
Students are given a short passage (usually 80–100 words) to read aloud.

What’s assessed:

• Pronunciation and articulation
• Fluency and pacing
• Intonation and expression
• Ability to convey meaning naturally

This segment may seem simple, but many students either rush through nervously or read with a flat tone. Marks are awarded not just for accuracy but also for how well they bring the passage to life.

2. Stimulus-Based Conversation

(25 marks)
Students are shown a visual prompt — such as a poster, photo, or event scene — and must engage in a conversation with the examiner.

What’s assessed:

• Ability to describe the visual accurately
• Expressing personal opinions clearly
• Making connections to real-life experiences
• Confidence and coherence in dialogue

This is the segment where many children struggle. The examiner may ask deeper questions based on your child’s answers, so the ability to think on their feet and give thoughtful responses becomes crucial.

Strategies for Stimulus-Based Conversation

This segment goes beyond describing the image, it tests emotional intelligence, observation, and storytelling ability.

Use the P-E-E Method:

• Point – State your view clearly
• Explain – Support your opinion
• Example – Share a real or imagined story to reinforce your point

Pro Tips:

✅ Relate your ideas to personal experiences
✅ Use expressive and varied vocabulary
✅ Maintain eye contact and use body language (e.g. smile, nod)
✅ Speak naturally and avoid sounding memorised

By practising this structure regularly, your child will learn to respond with confidence and clarity, even to unfamiliar questions.

Common Pitfalls Faced by Students

Despite reading and speaking being everyday activities, many students face these challenges during the oral exam:

• Speaking too softly or quickly under pressure
• Lack of expression or flat tone
• Limited vocabulary when expressing opinions
• Over-reliance on memorised answers that sound unnatural
• Struggling to sustain a conversation when asked open-ended questions

This is where consistent practice and real-time coaching can make a life-changing difference.

Marks Breakdown – 2025 PSLE Syllabus

• Reading Aloud: 15 marks
• Stimulus-Based Conversation: 25 marks
• Total Oral Marks: 40 marks
• This makes up 20% of the overall English Language score — the highest oral weightage to date.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Mistake	Solution
Speaking too softly	Practise voice projection with clear articulation
One-word answers	Use the P-E-E structure to elaborate
Monotonous reading	Vary tone and pacing to keep the listener engaged
Forgetting to prepare	Practise with mock questions daily

These small habits can significantly affect your child’s performance. With regular exposure and guidance, they can avoid common pitfalls and shine with confidence.

🏆 How Speech Academy Asia Prepares Students for PSLE Oral

At Speech Academy Asia, we don’t just prepare students to pass, we help them excel by developing real communication confidence.

Our proven methods include:

🗣️ Speech Linguistic Patterns™
Over 1,000 techniques for articulation, tonality, and impactful expression. This helps students read expressively and speak convincingly.

🧠 Neuro Somatics™ Training
To help students manage nerves, stay calm under pressure, and speak with natural confidence.

🧍‍♀️ Live Stimulus-Based Q&A Training

We coach students to think on their feet and respond spontaneously with depth and clarity, just like in the real exam.

📝 Mock Oral Exams
Simulated PSLE oral sessions that mirror the actual exam format, complete with feedback, to ensure your child is ready when it counts.

🎭 Voice Projection and Expression Drills
Through guided vocal exercises and performance techniques, students learn to speak fluently and with engaging expression.

This powerful blend of techniques helps students gain the clarity, confidence, and calm needed to handle any oral question with ease.

✅ Final Thought for Parents

The PSLE Oral exam may take only 10–15 minutes, but the skills required to do well, thinking clearly under pressure, organising thoughts, and engaging in meaningful conversation, take months to cultivate.

Don’t leave it to the final weeks. Whether your child is already speaking confidently or still developing their voice, starting early is key.

Ready to Prepare for Success?

Give your child the competitive edge they deserve. Enrol them in our Oral Exam Class today and let them discover the power of authentic, confident communication.

📞 Call us at 9061 1715
📧 Email us at info@speechacademyasia.com
📍 Visit us at JEM, 52 Jurong Gateway Road, #06-01, Singapore 608550