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At Higher Level, the Listening Comprehension Test is worth 80 marks, which amount to 20% of the total marks of the entire examination. This, then, is the section that is worth the least marks! It is also time-consuming and often cumbersome to practice in class due to time restrictions; homework marking and correction; unsuitability of classrooms; distractions from the intercom; and unpredictability of machines, counters, sockets and electric power! An efficient aural class must be well planned, highly structured and excellently monitored. Such classes are rare! It is therefore frequently overlooked and under-emphasised.
Yet 20% is a sizeable chunk of the marks when one considers that only one skill is being tested. The writing, for instance, is worth 25% but demands several registers of language both formal and informal. Business correspondence, personal exchanges, story-telling, diary writing and summarising the reading is worth 30% but it is, in fact, a test of written French and grammatical knowledge as well as reading. Listening is simply listening. Then, answering questions in English to prove that you have understood it is therefore an easier 20% to work towards than the reading or the writing.
It is a complete untruth to claim that the student "cannot do any preparation" for this section of the exam.
Listening Comprehension Test: An Overview
The listening test is composed of five major sections or "Parts." All sections and all questions must be answered. There is absolutely no choice! It occurs on the same day and at the end of the written and reading examination. In other words, you will already have been reading and writing French for 2.5 hours before this forty minute test takes place.
It has long been argued by certain individuals that this current situation is to the disadvantage of the student who is, at this stage, too tired to concentrate on taped material. However, you must think positively! Educational studies prove that a focused mind is far more "tuned in" and thus better equipped to concentrate than the "raw" mind of the beginner. It is better to have started with the reading and writing where initial errors due to panic and tension can be eliminated in the candidate's own time as he/she "settles down." The speed, background noise, restricted time limit per section, and "reality factor" of the taped examination would not lend itself to such a "settling down and self-correction" period. Consider yourselves fortunate! You are, after 2.5 hours, accustomed to thinking in French - you are superbly focused and confident! You will do very well indeed!
A Final Note on the Listening Test
Traditionally, the first section is the easiest, in terms of speed, vocabulary and questions asked. The sections become progressively more difficult, and the last section can be the hardest. However, not all students find this to be the case, and indeed it is not always so. In 1998, candidates found the first, second and third sections to be the most difficult. So be prepared for a high standard from the outset. After all, you are an honours candidate!
How to Approach the Aural Exam
There are several ways in which to tackle the listening comprehension. Naturally, no one technique is perfect at all times and in all situations. However, the technique outlined hereafter is, in my experience, the one which students have found, and continue to find, most effective. it is the "sister" technique of "chunk or focused reading" (see previous page). It is particularly effective for students who do feel somewhat fatigued after a lengthy written and reading exam, as well as for those who have difficulty in deciphering irrelevant material or "padding" from the relatively small percentage of the material which does go to form the required answers.
It is called "THE FOCUSED LISTENING TECHNIQUE" or "THE KEYWORD TECHNIQUE", and it serves to minimise fatigue, subdue panic, and thereby increase exam productivity.
The "FOCUSED LISTENING" or "KEYWORD" Technique
[1] Read the instructions carefully. Even though they always begin in the same manner (i.e. "The material will be played three times..."), there is usually some extra information about the piece you will hear also included. Take this information into account when considering the likelihood of your answer. Remember that in Part V the material is only played twice.
[2] Read the questions before the test begins and also during the test, in the time provided by the tape. You should underline keywords as you read. Then, mentally recall or actually jot down the French for these words above the English words. Always think, not just of the literal translation, but also of synonyms and of related words. Think in "word families" rather than in precise translations.
(A "synonym" is a word which means more or less the same things as another word or phrase. For example, the word "vehicle" may appear in the English question, so you should be thinking not just in terms of "un véhicule", but also in terms of "une auto", "une voiture", "un moyen de transport", etc. "Word families" are groups of related words.
For example, the word "power" may appear in the question. You should think not only of the synonyms "le pouvoir" and "la puissance", but also of related verbs and adjectives such as "puissant" (powerful), "pouvoir" (to be able to), etc.)
Your mind is now focused even before you listen to the tape.
[3] Now listen out for these words or related words on the tape. You should "zoom in" with particular attention when these words occur. Your answer is usually only seconds away on either side of these keywords. Hence the term "focused" or "keyword" technique.
[4] Don't panic on the first hearing! Remember that the material will be repeated and that there will be plenty of time allowed in the real exam to write your answers. Also remember that you don't have to know the meaning of every single word to get the answers right. Very often, the more sophisticated vocabulary is not actually part of the answer. Focus on the keywords instead. You have been doing French for at least five years - of course you can understand lots! Be confident.
[5] If in doubt about an answer, make an educated guess based on the words you do recognise and on the information given at the beginning of the section. Remember to use your head also - political, cultural and general knowledge should be used, as should common sense. Remember that there are no marks for blanks and no penalty for wrong answers. Go for it! You have everything to gain and nothing to lose!
[6] Always look over the page to make sure that you have not missed the final question in that section you are now answering.
[7] Lastly, speed is not really an issue. If you know a word, you know it at any speed!! (VOI-TURE, voit-ure, voiture, voiture!!!) So, in the meantime, try lots of dictionary work to build up your vocabulary. No matter what the exercise - oral, reading, written or aural - always note synonyms and word families. Build up an impressive "vocabulary bank". Speed is not a major issue. Laziness is!
