Yes, I’m asking for advice on oral. Get the sniggering done with.
Okay, now, seriously. I’m sitting the Foreign Service Oral exam this Thursday, and each time I read the description of what the test will be constituted of, I just get more and more nervous. In case anyone cares, it’s here:
Looks like a bitch-kitty to me, and as there’s really no way to study for it, I’m slightly stressed.
Anyone out there familiar with it? Had to do a Masters or Doctoral thesis oral defense? Interested in becoming a “cultural attache” in whatever country I get posted to if successful?
Give plenty of explaination. Don’t just answer, explain how you reached your answer; what options you considered, etc.
My professor would tell me that I assumed he knew as much as I did. Of course that is true, but his point is that he knows the answer; he wants to know how I got to the answer.
Give plenty of explaination. Don’t just answer, explain how you reached your answer; what options you considered, etc.
My professor would tell me that I assumed he knew as much as I did. Of course that is true, but his point is that he knows the answer; he wants to know how I got to the answer.
sniggering - look him in the eyes and smile and remember to swallow, don’t choke
What you’re talking about I’ve done quite a bit of. And I love it. You just need to remember a few things.
1.)Everybody has fear, Everybody! This includes the people that are listening to you. The only difference between a medeocore speaker and a fantasitic speaker is how you deal with your fear. Try to find a way to control your fear - this is why people will tell you to pretend that everyone is naked.
2.)Have everything memorized before you go.
3.)This is important! Do not think about your audience, LOOK AT THEM but do not think about them. Only think about what you’re going to say next. Pretend you are all alone, speaking to yourself while looking into a mirror - this will help with your fear.
Good Luck, and let me know how it goes.
**
Thanks starfish, I needed that.
Nearly choaked on my Coffee, but it was still funny.
