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Optional 'document'
A student may opt to bring a "document" with him/her into the exam. This can take the form ofi A photograph or picture.
ii A literary text.
iii A project.
iv An article from a French newspaper or magazine.
The examiner will ask the candidate questions about his/her document, so the candidate must anticipate such questions and prepare suitable answers without sounding excessively rehearsed.
The "document" should not be attempted unless it has been well prepared. For instance, photographs taken on a beach in France may be seen as an invitation to ask you about anything from the French weather to water pollution to skin cancer! Be very prepared. Don’t leave any related topic to chance. The document is marked like any other topic of discussion during the course of your interview. It is not given a separate mark.
Structure
Essentially, the term "structures" applies to "grammatical constructions". My advice in this area is as follows.[1] Revise the present tense regularly (especially that of irregular verbs). This is the tense in which most of your exam will be conducted.
[2] The past tenses are also important. Remember to use the passé composé for perfectly completed action from the past, while the imparfait is used for continuous/repeated/interrupted action from the past (as well as for all description of the past).
e.g. Le weekend dernier j’ai joué un match de foot; mon premier match de l’année. L’année dernière, quand j’étais en seconde, je jouais un match chaque samedi.
[3] The future tense will also be examined, so make sure that you have prepared likely topics in this tense.
e.g. L’avenir; les vacances; le weekend prochain; ce soir; etc.
[4] You should also be familiar with the conditional tense for questions such as "What would you do if...?"
[5] Examiners don’t normally set out to test the present subjunctive, but if you do use it correctly during the course of your exam, it is regarded as impressive. Note, however, that almost all students in recent years have been able to offer the old "Il faut que j’aille..." formula!
[6] Make sure also that your adjectives match the nouns which they are describing, and that you revise your pronouns thoroughly.
Communication
Communication is marked on how well the candidate manages to communicate on each topic discussed. Candidates who lose marks on structures or pronunciation but keep the conversation going without any lengthy hesitations, or without the examiner having to draw conversation out of them, receive good marks in communication.Marks are also lost for sounding too rehearsed or "learned-off". In other words, stay calm, know your material so well that you can "dip in and out of it" as required. Listen to the question being asked. Always answer that question first. Then, if possible, develop your answer in a natural way. Don’t make unnatural links between topics.Proper link:
Q: Quel âge avez-vous?
R: J’ai dix-huit ans. Je suis né(e) le 25 mars 1983. Alors je viens de fêter mon anniversaire le samedi dernier et c’était formidable.
Usually, the examiner will take up your "link" and ask about your birthday celebrations.
Unnatural link:
Q: Quel âge avez-vous?
R: J’ai dix-huit ans. J’habite Midleton. J’ai deux soeurs et un frère.
Remember that good communication also involves greeting your examiner and saying goodbye. It also includes making eye contact with the examiner, smiling and using your hands to aid your verbal expression.
General Advice
[1] Don’t smoke beforehand. The smell may not go down well with the examiner![2] Remove chewing gum. It does not make for good communication!
[3] Remove any badges denoting responsibility (unless prepared to speak about these duties at length).
[4] Remove all obvious jewelry, nail varnish, headgear, unusual footwear. Dress in proper uniform or "ordinary" clothes unless you want to spend much of your oral speaking about these things!
[5] Girls, if you have noticeably beautiful nails, don’t flash them around unless you are prepared to comment on them!
[6] Knock before entering and ask if you may be seated.
e.g. 1 Puis-je entrer, monsieur?
e.g. 2 Je peux m’asseoir, madame?
[7] Smile throughout and use your hands naturally. Make eye contact with the examiner.
[8] Feel free to go back and correct yourself if you notice that you have made a mistake.
e.g. Hier, je jouais...Ah, pardon! J’ai joué au foot...
[9] Feel free to ask for a repetition of rephrasing of the question.
e.g. 1 Je suis désolé(e), monsieur/madame. J’ai mal compris la question. Pourriez-vous la poser d’une autre manière s’il vous plaît?
e.g. 2 Je n’ai pas bien entendu la question. Pourriez-vous la répéter s’il vous plaît?
[10] If you have no ideas on a subject (have not prepared it), admit this and if possible suggest a relevant alternative topic (which you have prepared).
e.g. Je suis désolé(e), monsieur/madame. Je n’ai aucune idée. Je ne suis pas au courant en ce qui concerne les actualités. Je suis trop occupé(e) ces jours-ci avec mes études.
e.g. Je ne m’intéresse pas à ce sujet (même en anglais!). Cependant ce qui m’intéresse beaucoup c’est...
[11] If your voice is shaking, excuse yourself, say that you are nervous - and then stop being nervous at once!!
e.g. Je suis désolé(e), monsieur/madame. Je me sens un peu nérveux/nérveuse.
[12] Watch your accent and pronunciation throughout.
[13] Add in naturalistic phrases. Pause, make it look as if nothing is learned-off. Avoid that "hang-on-I’m-trying-to-remember-it" look! Rise to the challenge! Perform! Stay calm. Your ability to communicate under duress is in itself being tested.
e.g. Eh bien; alors; quoi.
[14] If you must stutter, stutter in French. Substitute a throaty "euh, euh" for the English "em, em".
[15] Beware of the tenses being used. Make sure that your endings are clearly sounded. If unsure of the tense of a question, clarify before answering.
e.g. Qu’est-ce que je ferai? Le weekend prochain?
[16] If you do go blank, ask for a moment. Then regain your composure and start again.
e.g. Un moment s’il vous plaît....Bon. Je recommence.
[17] First answer the question you have been asked. Then expand your answer naturally. Don’t try to create unnatural links.
[18] Offer "links" to the examiner yourself, but be subtle in doing so. Guide the oral in a direction which you are willing to follow.
e.g. Non. Franchement, je fais très peu de lecture. Je préfère le sport. J’aime être en pleine air. Je suis très sportif/sportive, je joue au...
[19] Anticipate "link questions". Don’t make "tactical errors". Do not lead the examiner somewhere you do not want to go! For instance, don’t reveal that you work in a butcher’s on Saturdays and then be surprised to find yourself discussing BSE!
[20] The first candidate in your school should welcome the examiner in French. The last candidate should thank him/her on behalf of all of you. [21] If you are given the task of asking the examiner about tea or coffee, or if you are bringing in these refreshments, speak in French and don’t spill anything!! Wish him/her "Bon appétit".
[22] When you leave, pass on helpful tips to those waiting. Do not appear to be negative. Concentrate on the positive (at least while you’re in front of others who have yet to go in). Don’t be selfish! You will appreciate this courtesy from others.
[23] For yourself, don’t analyse and scrutinize. Make a quick, honest assessment of how you think you’ve done, making sure to concentrate on all that you did answer, not just on what you could not answer.
[24] Breathe a huge sigh of relief. Forget the oral. Thank your teacher for preparing you, and then begin thinking about all those marks going for the aural, written and reading sections yet to come.
Final Words
Be calm. Be confident. Be yourself. Be prepared.
