When it comes to preparing for the CAEL Test, the best advice we can offer to you is to take your time. Preparing for the test the day or even just the night before you take it will not allow you adequate time to prepare and feel comfortable taking your test. As we’ve outlined in our previous blog, creating a daily study routine is your best path to ensuring your success. In this blog, we will focus on tips for the speaking portion of your CAEL study routine. 

Speaking Tips:

• Practice speaking in academic English.

Practice speaking English with your friends, family, and co-workers. You could also practice reading aloud from academic and formal texts such as news or journal articles. Remember that the Speaking tasks are done through a computer, so there is no human examiner. Practice speaking into a recording device so that you can feel confident during your test. Playing back the recording can help you identify some of the weaknesses in your speech that you should try to improve.

• Practice using speaking notes.

For your Speaking tasks on the CAEL Test, you will be able to take notes during these sections. Jotting down the main ideas, or any names or key words you feel are important, could make your brainstorming for the Speaking tasks a lot more efficient. When you are practicing your speaking, try practicing your note taking as well, and this will help you to feel more prepared when you are taking your test.

• Remember to speak clearly and at a natural pace.

During the CAEL Test, you will need to speak clearly into the microphone. Use your speaking practice time to practice finding the best volume, tone, and pace to use for the Speaking tasks.

• Build your vocabulary in a systematic way.

In order to be able to use a wide range of vocabulary effectively, you need to expand your vocabulary. Find a way to keep track of new vocabulary that works for you. You could collect new words using index cards, a notebook, or a chart on your computer. Make time to review the words that you have added to your list until you are sure of their meaning.

• Don’t worry about your accent.

Unless your accent prevents you from being understood, do not focus on it. Instead, focus on using good grammar and accurate and varied vocabulary.

Preparation Resources:

• Practice tests: from our free online practice test, to our additional paid practice tests, these will give you a good idea of your current score level, and will allow you to focus on areas that you need to improve upon.
• Free online courses: for each test component, we have hours of free online courses and webinars, hosted by a CAEL expert. These online courses are available as live webinars each month, and as recorded sessions on our YouTube channel.
• Study materials in the online store: we have created a wide range of study materials to help you prepare for your CAEL test, from additional practice tests, to Accelerate, our self-directed online study program, to CAEL Practice Test Plus, a complete practice test that includes sample responses and analyses.
• Preparation programs: for additional guided preparation, contact your local test centre to see what preparation programs are available in your area and online.

Conclusions

• Building your vocabulary and practicing speaking aloud to yourself and others are great ways to improve your speaking skills and confidence.
• The online study programs in our online store, such as CAEL Practice Test Plus and CAEL Accelerate, each provide comprehensive study materials that you can use each day, from vocabulary building exercises to speaking strategies to improve your test responses. These are a great option for supplementing your daily study routine.