5 common mistakes in the speaking exam
In the Spreken section, it's usually not a lack of knowledge that costs points but a few habits. Here are the five mistakes we see most often, with easy fixes.
In the speaking exam, you are expected to give short but complete answers to short questions. After listening to thousands of recordings, these are the mistakes our teachers see most often.
1. Answering with a single word
"Ja." or "Koffie." may be correct, but it isn't a full sentence. Build the question into your answer:
Wat drinkt u graag? — Ik drink graag koffie.2. Putting the verb in the wrong place
In a Dutch main clause, the conjugated verb comes second. If you start the sentence with a time expression, the subject moves after the verb: Morgen ga ik naar de markt.
3. Answering without listening to the question
Pay attention to the question word: wanneer asks about time, waar about place, waarom about reason. If you are asked why, always add a reason with omdat.
4. Using sentences that are too long and complex
The longer the sentence, the more likely a mistake. One main clause and one reason is enough. A correct, clear short answer scores more points than a long answer full of mistakes.
5. Going silent
If you can't remember a word, don't stop and wait. Use a simple synonym or rephrase the sentence. While the recording time runs, silence earns no points.
Tags: Spreken · speaking · pronunciation