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Author Topic: French Oral Exam  (Read 8822 times)  Share 

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Carissaml

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French Oral Exam
« on: March 23, 2017, 06:57:47 am »
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Hi, does anyone have any oral exam tips for a non-native speaker in Continuers?  I don't really have access to many people I could practice speaking with on a day to day basis, and I would like to improve how comfortable I am speaking French in normal conversations so I'm not as nervous and thus don't make as many mistakes in the exam. Any tips of tricks you might have would be great (no matter how weird)
Thanks!

elysepopplewell

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Re: French Oral Exam
« Reply #1 on: March 23, 2017, 08:44:36 am »
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Hi, does anyone have any oral exam tips for a non-native speaker in Continuers?  I don't really have access to many people I could practice speaking with on a day to day basis, and I would like to improve how comfortable I am speaking French in normal conversations so I'm not as nervous and thus don't make as many mistakes in the exam. Any tips of tricks you might have would be great (no matter how weird)
Thanks!

Hey Carissaml! Welcome to the forums :)
I studied Beginners, but this guide I wrote essentially sums up the way I prepared my speaking responses. I wonder if you'd be able to find an online french speaker willing to converse? Like a penpal, except maybe they'd like to improve their English and you want to improve your french, and you could have discussions half/half? I don't know if this kind of set up exists but it's worth checking out! There could even be French people in Australia looking for this opportunity.

Otherwise, make daily commentary in French. I'm learning Italian now and I just keep trying to make commentary (in my head or out loud) about whatever is happening. Even things like "What a shame" and "I'm so happy" (I'm a reaaaaal beginner here) and just thinking "Ok, hypothetically, if that man turned around and asked which class I'm going to next, what will I say?" and things like this. It means I get to the end of the day and I've worked on colloquial language, as well as semi-formal. And when I get home I asked my flat mate how to say anything that I couldn't work out in the day. You don't have the luxury of living with someone who speaks your target language, but it could mean going onto Word Reference (life saver) and going to the discussion forum and seeing how to best say something. I really think that making daily commentary, even on mundane things, has improved my conversation skills in Italian.

If you ever want anything looked over or you're not sure how to say something, feel free to post it here and I can try my best to help. I have some French friends that I can ask if you need anything, although I'm sure your teacher is helpful and I'm sure you speak better French than me anyway. But I'd enjoy looking at that if you ever want another pair of eyes - I just can't guarantee I'll be able to add anything you can't :)
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carolinewang206

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Re: French Oral Exam
« Reply #2 on: March 23, 2017, 05:45:02 pm »
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Hey hey! I'm in the same boat as you, I'm the only one in my class who hasn't lived in France and isn't French ahah.

Tips would be to write out general answers for things that will almost definitely be asked (school, subjects, plans after school, family, hobbies etc.) write them out and have your teacher check them, but in addition to making sure that they are correct, try and weave in as many grammatical structures as you can. Then practice reading them aloud or reciting them as you walk somewhere, don't make them too pre-prepared though as it seems unnatural, be ready to adapt the answers, just know in general what you will say :)

For example instead of just saying something like "Le week-end dernier, je travaillais" add more detail, something like "et j'étais très fatigué car je n'avais pas très bien dormi"

So by adding more detail you can showcase your knowledge of grammatical structures especially the more advanced ones like future perfect, conditional perfect and plus-que-parfait.

Also try to put in subjonctif stay aren't as obvious such as "pour que je puisse" (so that I can) or "bien que nous soyons..." (Although we are...). Just a few examples.

Also ask your teacher if you can go in at lunch or something to practice.

To improve listening/accent/flow try watching one of your favourite shows in French- also observe the use of filler words such as "bref" "euhh" or "alors" just to make your speech sound more natural.

Good luck! :)
« Last Edit: March 23, 2017, 05:47:12 pm by carolinewang206 »

Carissaml

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Re: French Oral Exam
« Reply #3 on: March 23, 2017, 09:04:35 pm »
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Thank you both! I definitely with try these things, I find my main problem is that I can form more complex grammatical structures like subjonctif when I sit down to write it, but when I'm out in the spot in oral exams with something that is more specific out side of the general topics, I have trouble showing a sophisticated grasp of language and end up resorting to much more basic French. I think commenting on things in French in my head throughout the day definitely will help though!

bethr

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Re: French Oral Exam
« Reply #4 on: June 14, 2017, 09:17:23 pm »
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Hi! I'm with you. French is a hard subject in itself, but speaking is definitely the hardest. Unlike writing, you don't have time to reflect on what you're saying and what grammar you're using. But the best advice I could give you is that it's about you! You direct the conversation. What I do, and works for me, is put a lot of detail into your responses. Don't leave any gaps for the marker to ask a curly question. E.g. 'what subjects do you do?' You're not going to get into the top band if you just say, I do this, this and this. Give detail e.g. I do English, but I wish I didn't have to (subjunctive oooooohhhh) I do xyz. I love this subject because.... but I don't like..... If there is a question which you're not expecting at all, don't be afraid to take your time. Make small talk in a sense e.g. that's an interesting question. I haven't even done the exam, so this is all advice my teacher has given me. But we're all in the same boat. Everyone will be just as nervous as you are, and the markers hopefully understand that! J'ai confiance en toi!

olr1999

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Re: French Oral Exam
« Reply #5 on: July 14, 2017, 05:19:06 pm »
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Hi! The oral exam is fast approaching so I am wondering about any advice and tips for the morning of the exam?
Thanks!

elysepopplewell

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Re: French Oral Exam
« Reply #6 on: July 14, 2017, 06:14:36 pm »
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Hi! The oral exam is fast approaching so I am wondering about any advice and tips for the morning of the exam?
Thanks!

Hey! I wrote a guide on exactly this! Best of luck :)
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dancing phalanges

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Re: French Oral Exam
« Reply #7 on: July 17, 2017, 07:22:15 pm »
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I'm not a native and I haven't been to France, we have 1 guy in our class with French parents but he is lazy as and is coming last easily haha so just hoping all native speakers are like that  8)
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elysepopplewell

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Re: French Oral Exam
« Reply #8 on: July 17, 2017, 07:38:19 pm »
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I'm not a native and I haven't been to France, we have 1 guy in our class with French parents but he is lazy as and is coming last easily haha so just hoping all native speakers are like that  8)

Bonne chance!
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dancing phalanges

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Re: French Oral Exam
« Reply #9 on: August 16, 2017, 03:12:29 pm »
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In case your teacher hasn't already given you guys any practice questions to do in preparation for the test on Saturday, this is the core of what you can be asked. I recommend just practicing a range of questions and even asking yourself extra questions (eg. If you ask yourself about your job and then follow it up with a question on the conveniences/inconveniences of that job or If you talk about a holiday overseas, compare your life there with that in Australia) Those sort of tricky questions you can get asked! Don't stress about it too much, just be confident with speaking french in general rather than knowing specific answers for questions! Bonne chance! The list of questions is below in the spoiler :)

Spoiler


PERSONAL IDENTITY

~ Tu es de quelle nationalité?
~ Quel âge as-tu?
~ Où est-ce que tu es né(e)?
~ Tes parents sont nés en Australie?
~ Alors, ils sont nés où?
~ Il y a combien de personnes dans ta famille?
~ Tu as des frères ou des soeurs?
~ Tu as combien de frères/soeurs?
~ Tu es enfant unique?
~ Tu as des animaux a la maison?
~ Tu peux décrire ton animal/tes animaux?
~ Tu aimes partir en vacances avec ta famille?
~ Vous le faites souvent? Chaque année, par exemple...
~ Parle-moi un peu de tes dernières vacances en famille.


RELATIONSHIPS

~ Tu habites avec tes parents?
~ Tu as des demi-frères/soeurs?
~ Ton père/ta mère habite-où?
~ Tu as beaucoup d'amis?
~ Tu sors souvent avec eux/elles?
~ Qu'est-ce que vous aimez bien faire ensemble?
~ Tu t'entends bien avec ta famille?
~ Tu t'entends bien avec tes frères soeurs/parents?
~ Tu t'entends mieux avec tes parents ou tes amis?
~ Tu penses que tes parents te comprennent?
~ Et tes frères et soeurs, est-ce qu'ils s'entendent bien avec tes parents?
~ Tu as un/e petit/e ami/e?
~ Vous vous entendez bien?
~ Vous sortez souvent ensembles?
~ Où est-ce que vous allez?
~ Est-ce que ton/ta petit/e ami/e s'entend bien avec tes parents?


SCHOOL LIFE AND ASPIRATIONS

~ Tu étudies quelles matières a  l'école?
~ Quelle est ta matière préférée?
~ Pourquoi aimes-tu l'anglais/l'histoire etc...?
~ Comment trouves-tu les profs dans ton école?
~ Tu aimes bien tous tes profs?
~ Tu t'entends bien avec tes profs?
~ En général, est-ce que la vie scolaire te plaît? Pourquoi?
~ Depuis quand est-ce que tu étudies le français?
~ Quand est-ce que tu as commencé a apprendre/étudier le français?
~ Pourquoi as-tu décidé d'apprendre le français?
~ Cette année t'a plu? Pourquoi/Pourquoi pas?
~ Qu'est-ce que tu as l'intention de faire l'année prochaine?
~ Tu penses que tous les jeunes doivent faire des études d'informatique?
~ Tu veux aller a la fac ou tu veux voyager?
~ Qu'est-ce que tu veux faire comme métier plus tard?


YOUNG PERSON'S WORLD

~ Quel genre de musique préfères-tu?
~ Tu aimes la musique rap/classique/moderne...?
~ Tu fais partie d'un groupe de théâtre/de danse?
~ Tu joue d'un instrument de musique?
~ Tu fais partie d'un orchestre, d'une chorale, d'un ensemble musical?
~ Comment trouves-tu la mode des jeunes?
~ Est-ce que le look est important pour toi?
~ Est-ce que tu dépenses beaucoup d'argent a des vêtements/des sorties?
~ Tes parents te donnent assez d'argent de poche?
~ Tu as un travail a mi-temps?
~ Tu travailles combien de jours/d'heures par semaine?
~ Qu'est-ce que tu aimes manger?
~ Est-ce que tu manges souvent au MacDo?


LEISURE AND INTERESTS

~ Qu'est-ce que tu fais pendant ton temps libre?
~ Qu'est-ce que tu aimes faire pendant le week-end?
~ Quel genre de musique préfères-tu?
~ Tu penses que les loisirs sont importants?
~ Tu penses que les jeunes ont assez de divertissements?
~ Tu joues aux jeux vidéo?
~ Tu passes beaucoup de temps sur l'internet?
~ Tu aimes la musique rap/classique/moderne...?
~ Tu fais partie d'un groupe de théâtre/de danse?
~ Tu joues d'un instrument de musique?
~ Tu fais partie d'un orchestre, d'une chorale, d'un ensemble musical?
~ Tu trouves que les jeunes ont assez de loisirs de nos jours?
~ Est-ce que tu as des talents dans un romaine particulier (par exemple un sport, la musique, la danse etc...)?
~ Tu as fait des concours de danse/de musique?
~ Tu participes a des championnats/concours/compétitions?
~ Tu as déja gagné un tournoi/un championnat?
~ Tu as déja été sélecitonné(e) pour représenter ton club/ton orchestre en Australie ou a l'étranger?
~ Tu aimerais être sélectionné(e) pour représenter l'Australie un jour? Quand? Où?

DAILY LIFE/LIFESTYLES

~ Tu te lèves a quelle heure?
~ Parle-moi de ta routine matinale.
~ Tu es pensionnaire?
~ Tes parents habitent où? (en Corée, a Hong Kong, en Malaisie...)
~ Tu habites seul/e avec tes soeurs et frères?
~ Tu partages un appartement?
~ Tes parents te manquent?
~ Est-ce que c'est difficile de vivre sans tes parents?
~ Est-ce que tu dois payer le loyer, les factures?
~ Tu vas souvent a l'étranger pour rendre visite a tes parents?
~ Est-ce qu'ils viennent te rendre visite?
~ Comment trouves-tu la vie en ville/a la campagne?
~ Tu préfères vivre en ville ou a la campagne? Pourquoi?
~ Tu as déja habité a la campagne?
~ Tu pars en vacances a la campagne?
~ Tu habites en ville ou a la campagne?


ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

~ Tu vas souvent au cinéma, théâtre, concert?
~ Quels genre de films préfères-tu?
~ Tu as vu un film récemment? Est-ce qu'il t'a plu? Pourquoi?
~ Parle-moi d'un film que tu as vu récemment.
~ Tu as assisté a un concert, une pièce de théâtre? Est-ce que cela t'a plu?
~ Tu aimes lire?
~ Tu aimes lire quels genres de livres?
~ Est-ce que tu préfères lire des livre ou voir des films?
~ Quel genre du musique préfères-tu?
~ Tu aimes la musique rap/classique/moderne...?
~ Tu regardes souvent des vidéos/la télé?
~ Tu invites des amis chez toi pour regarder des vidéos?


TRAVEL AND TOURISM

~ Tu as déja voyagé a l'étranger? Où?
~ Est-ce que tu es parti/e seul/e ou avec tes parents/amis?
~ Qu'est-ce que tu as aimé le plus par exemple, quels pays, monuments? Pourquoi?
~ Tu as déja fait un échange a l'étranger?
~ Est-ce que tu recommanderais un échange a` l'étranger a un/e ami/e?
~ Est-ce que la vie en France/aux Etats-Unis/au Canada t'a plu?
~ Tu aimerais bien y retourner?
~ Qu'est-ce qui te manque le plus quand tu es a l'étranger?
~ Quelles comparaisons peux-tu faire entre la vie en France et en Australie?
~ Tu as déja voyagé en Australie? Où?
~ Tu as l'intention de voyager plus tard? Où et pourquoi?
~ Qu'est-ce que tu n'as pas aimé pendant ton séjour a Cairns/Dubbo etc...?
~ Quels endroits en Australie est-ce que tu conseillerais a un touriste de visiter? Pourquoi?
~ Tu penses que l'Australie offre beaucoup de choix aux visiteurs étrangers?
~ Est-ce que tu as assisté aux Jeux Olympiques l'année dernière?


THE WORLD OF WORK

~ Tes parents travaillent?
~ Qu'est-ce qu'ils font comme métier?
~ Ton père/ta mère est infirmier/ère, avocat/e, prof?
~ Est-ce que tu aimerais faire le même métier que ton père/ta mère? Pourquoi?

« Last Edit: August 16, 2017, 03:21:34 pm by dancing phalanges »
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