Every March, graduating classes in Hubei Province have to sit an oral English test, PETS-3. It seems to be of little significance, because most teachers claim that the test is a pushover and that we should take it easy.

Ever since I started learning the foreign language, I have been sailing through it all. It seems that I have an affinity for languages. In middle school, I ranked first in almost all major English exams, a feat I am still proud of today.

Therefore, when word came that a spoken English test was to take place in our school, I had no worry about it.

On Test Day, we had to wait in the library, which was closed temporarily to its readers, for our turns to take the test in the digital reading room. The test is conducted on a PC, where an examinee has to interact with an app.

While waiting, someone was practising quietly the sample questions. I took the time to work on my maths paper. I felt relaxed for I believed that I could make it, hands down.

There were four sections in the test. Part 1 was Reading Aloud. Part 2 Asking Questions. Part 3 Answering Questions. And Part 4 Oral Composition. As I was going through the test, a sense of apprehension crept up. Part 1 was nothing special. After I took up Part 2, I started to feel the strain. I knew what I wanted to say, but my tongue seemed to be rebelling. It was such an awkward feeling. When I came to Oral Composition, the discomfort reached breaking point. I began to perspire.

After the exam, I asked myself why there had been lack of ease when I was doing the test. Yes, I will get a pass, but distinction will be out of my reach this time.

Speaking English is physical as well as mental. Even though you can read and comprehend, it does not mean that you will be able to speak English with the same ease as you do your mother tongue.

Lessons: 1 To speak English well, speak more and try to speak at every opportunity. 2 Do not be over-confident of yourself. However good you might be, there is still room for improvement.