Speaking/writing assessments

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I don't know how to explain this, really. Basically, I've been freaking out a lot over classworks. There was an incident in my English lesson on Thursday where I didn't do the work but I've sort of written that one off as it was a speaking and listening activity. I say 'sort of' because I've done speaking and listening before, sometime's I've been fine but other times were more like Thursday's lesson.

It isn't just speaking and listening, though. In speaking exams for French and German at the beginning of the term, I found that I 'locked up' a bit and I couldn't speak. I managed to get a 4a in both languages while everyone else in my class got 5's and 6's (English NC levels - there are main levels, 1 to 8, and sub levels, a, b, or c. The higher the main level the better, and for sub levels a is best, c is worst). Also, we have recently had writing assessments in both English and German. For both of these I sat with a blank piece of paper in front of me for most of the lesson.

I don't know why I do this; all I know is that my brain sort of freezes and won't do anything. If I do write/say anything I am worried that it is wrong/really bad and will most likely scribble it out (a good example of this would be a recent Maths test where half the questions were answered by scribbles and nothing else) or try to take it back - "Non/Nein, ...."

If anyone has any advice I would really appreciate it, same goes if anyone has any experience with something like this.

Are your teachers aware of your challenges or do they just think that you are slacking or being difficult?

I can understand the difficulties with the speaking/listening activities. I had great difficulties whenever it was my turn to present in front of the class. The only thing that I found useful was if I could find a topic that so enamored me that I was focused more on it than on the others in the class.

One of the tactics I was taught was looking just over the heads of the audience so that you appear to be looking at them but you are really focusing on a spot on the wall at the back of the room. Just make sure you have several spots so that you aren't just staring into oblivion in the process.

When it comes to written work, you might try creating a test for yourself or getting someone else to create one for you and then take it somewhere that is less comfortable for you and try to complete any of it. You won't be getting a grade on it so just remind yourself over and over again that the idea is to get to the end of it, not about whether it's right or not.

When you are all done, set it aside and do something else for a little while. Then after you've settled down, take a look at the results. How did you do? Was it really as bad as you thought it would be or did you totally bomb on it? You might find that you know the material better than you thought. Or it might identify the spots where you need to study a bit more in preparation for the actual test or class assignment. Sometimes giving yourself a taste of the expectations can help when you feel a freeze setting in.

I don't know if any of that will help you or not, but it's some ideas anyway.

-Hols

Hey thanks for the suggestions.
My teachers probably think I am just being difficult as I don't have a diagnosis although a few of them have asked why but I'm not entirely sure how to explain it so I just said I dont know.
When I am standing in front of a class I generally do stare at something off in the distance (I have also performed onstage one weekend a year for the past 7 years but because of stage lighting it is hard to see the audience anyway and I've only ever done a couple of things on my own, mostly I'm part of a group singing or dancing) but I still can't do it because they're right in front of me staring at me and I haven't had 5 months of rehearsals like I do for gang show.
For the test (I failed my Maths by the way, my teacher commented on it not being my best and even told my form tutor but I've had another one since, a mock SATs paper which I did quite well on - I got 8b but only just) I think your suggestion would probably help, knowing that it doesnt matter whether it's right or wrong. I could probably also do that for writing in English or german, just sit down and write and ask someone for feedback after.

Well if you do try some of the ideas, let me know how they pan out. I know that not everything works for everyone. The more I can learn about how you learn and respond, the more likely it is that I can come up with useful tips to help you out.

I used to tutor college students in math, science, English, etc. Most of my time was spent adjusting my techniques to each of my students. If I could figure out the way they learned best, then I could usually help them make sense of the subject matter.