CELPIP Tip #3: Speaking

Reducing Bad Hesitation on the Speaking Sections Parts 1, 3 and 7

Reducing bad hesitation utters.

The computer recorder picks up only sounds and not visual signs of struggle. One major one is the struggle sounds of hesitation that demonstrates a lack of control and smoothness in speech. Your speaking score will suffer it it sounds like you could not keep your voice moving in a fluid way


Getting Rid of Bad Hesitation Strategies and Replacing Them With Good Ones.

Hesitation is not a bad thing, if it is done properly. There are two main types of bad hesitations.

1.      Hesitations that repeat the same kind of noises such as uh, uh, uh/um,um,um

2.      Hesitation that repeats a word more than once (i.e. stuttering)


The better way to hesitate is by pausing first and stringing together a thought before continuing. For that to occur successfully you cannot be frightened of brief moments of silence. 


There are also a number of stall expressions:
 
Key Expressions  

Expressions 
I think there are two main reasons that ......
It’s difficult to say because......
I'm not really sure but I would guess that...
It really depends on .......
In other words, …
Ok, let me think for a second...well, personally.....
I guess what I’m trying to say is that …
 

 Example

1st speaker

I uhh think, I think...the government should uh uh do more and now it is um, uhm quite uhmm, worse than it used to be and and … that’s uh maybe because uhh of the new roads uh uh uhh that have been built, so that uhh that has meant that has meant that there is less uhh less con … congestion. So I uhh, think this uhh uhh is better, is better for everyone if the uhhh government gets gets involved in uhhh the traffic situation.

How many times does the speaker say uhh or uhmm?

17 times

How many times does the speaker repeat words?

5 times


2nd speaker

Well let me think now, its a tough question because there are good points on both sides but I think I'd have to say that uhhm well, I think that the traffic system is well… for the most part  I'd say that it is something the government should get involved with, and perhaps if uhh they do get involved aggressively and new roads are built, well, so this means less .... you know, congestion. Congestion is not good for anyone. So I guess what I’m trying to say is that it would be better for everyone if the government did take an active role.


 How many times does the speaker say uhh or uhmm?

_____ times

How many times does the speaker repeat words?

_____ times