PSLE Reading Aloud 4: A Thank-You Speech
This passage helps you practise sounding sincere. It needs a different voice from an exciting story or a set of directions.
The situation
Your class is saying goodbye to a well-loved teacher who is leaving the school. You have been asked to read a short thank-you message on behalf of your classmates. Read the passage aloud.
You are thanking someone you care about. Sound gentle and warm, as if you mean every word. Read a little slowly and with care.
The passage
On behalf of the whole class, I would like to say a big thank you to Mrs Lim. Over the past two years, you have done so much more than teach us English. You listened patiently when we were worried, you cheered the loudest when we did well, and you never once gave up on any of us, even on our most difficult days. You turned every lesson into something we looked forward to, and you always found a way to make us smile when we needed it most.
We know your new school is lucky to have you, but we will miss you all the same. Thank you for your patience, your kindness, and for always believing in us, even when we did not believe in ourselves. We promise to work hard and make you proud in the examinations ahead. Wherever you go, and however much time passes, you will always be a part of our class. Thank you, Mrs Lim. We will never, ever forget you.
How it is marked
Examiners listen for clear pronunciation, a natural pace, expression, and a tone that suits the situation.
| What to do | How to do it |
|---|---|
| Mean what you say | Slow down a little and let the warmth show. Do not read it like a shopping list. |
| Pause in the list | Take a tiny pause after "your patience" and "your kindness". |
| Soften the goodbye | Read "we will miss you all the same" and "We will never, ever forget you" a little quieter and slower. |
| Change your voice for this situation | You should sound different here from an exciting story or directions. A bright, breezy voice would be the wrong tone. |
Hard words
| Word | Say it | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| behalf | bih-HAAF | Stress the second syllable. The "l" is silent. |
| patience | PAY-shunss | It has 2 syllables, not "pay-tee-ence". |
| believing | bih-LEE-ving | Say a clear "v". |
| promise | PROM-iss | The ending is soft, not "pro-mize". |
Practise
- Say the situation aloud: "I mean this, so I'll be warm and sincere."
- Read the passage once for accuracy.
- Read it again with feeling, pausing after each item in the list.
- Ask a listener: did it sound like you meant it, or like you were just reading?
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