All sixth graders have to undergo an English oral assessment for their Primary School Leaving Examination. I empathise with their predicament. It’s an artificial setup, so it’s not easy expounding on their ideas in front of two adult strangers (teachers from another school). Coupled with their rudimentary vocabulary, they find it a problem to say more than the perfunctory Yes/No response.

So, my school has come up with a TREES (Thought, Reason, Example, Experience, Suggestion) structure to help students frame their thinking and structure their ideas. This is how I applied it for them:

Question: Do you have an interest in martial arts? Why or why not?

If Answer is Yes

Thought / Reason / Example • I know some of my friends are not interested in martial arts. • They give various reasons such as the lack of time and the need to help their family do household chores.

Thought / Reason / Example • However, I do not feel the same way because martial arts provide myriad / a variety / a range of benefits: 1. Defend myself and my loved ones 2. Keep me calm and alleviate / reduce my stress

Experience • This is why I picked up martial arts.

Suggestion • From my experience, I suggest that schools should…

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If Answer is No

Thought / Reason / Example • I know some of my friends are interested in martial arts. • They give various reasons such as the ability to defend themselves and how it relieves their stress.

Thought / Reason / Example • However, I do not feel the same way because I don’t find martial arts appealing. • Reasons: 1. Shortage of time (tuition, weekend commitments) 2. I prefer to spend my time and energy on my passion.

Experience • I love… • It makes me thrilled… • It enables me to spend time interacting with like-minded people…

Suggestion • From my experience, I suggest that schools should…

I also prepared a similar question so that my students could practise applying the framework: