Learning vocabulary is important. Here are some words that will help you when writing essays and reading comprehension. The flashcards makes it easy to test yourself. Getting up to speed on learning French vocab is not easy for some students but it’s well worth the effort. Get started today! Action!
For the exams you will need to have the vocabulary learned off so that when the time comes to sitting down and writing that letter the words will drop onto the page with ease. Often the letter will require you to inquire about hotel reservations. Do you know how to ask about bookings etc ? Check out this post…
Read more…
Today I added another quiz in the Online Classroom. It’s the little words that get you in writing French. All because the gender (feminine or masculine) of the noun is important.
So for example :
je vais au cinema….(à + le => au)…..
Also
je parle à Sean……(à + proper noun [person/place] => à)
Another example
Je viens de la gare…..(de + la => de la)
Try the quiz and see how you get on.
With the thaw comes the stark reality that the holidays are definitely over. Remember its 12 weeks to the French orals…..starting the week of Monday 12th April. The oral exam is 25% of the marks in higher level French. So let’s knuckle down folks!
You will be asked questions in the past, present and future tenses.
So make sure you understand the tense of the question and make sure to reply in the same tense. See can you reply to the following simple questions.
Qu’est-ce que vous avez fait pendant les vacances?
Ou etes vous né?
Qu’est-ce que vous aimez faire comme passe-temps?
Comment allez-vous à l’école chaque jour?
Qu’est-ce que vous allez faire apres les examens?
So obviously for the past tense the examine will be checking that you used j’ai and not je suis where appropriate.
A common mistake often mentioned by oral examiners is that in the rush to get an answer out the student often forgets (sometimes intentionally…!) to conjugate the verb….
Je jouer du piano => je joue du piano
A good way of preparing for the oral is to imagine a simple conversation along to lines of
Then write out a batch of questions in english (careful to note the tense) and try and verbally answer them in French.
Why did you chose this photograph ? Pourquoi vouz-avez choisi cette photograph?
Where do you live ? Ou est-ce que vouz habitez?
What do you like doing at the weekend ? Qu’est-ce que vouz aimez faire le weekend ?
Which is your favourite subject ? Qelle est votre matière préférée ?
Did you go away on holidays recently ? Est-ce que vous êtes allé en vacances récemment?
Who went with you abroad ? Qui est allé avec vous à l’étranger?
That should get the brain cells flowing for the moment.
How did you get on yesterday with your documents? I’ve had a few crazy suggestions from students but remember, in the end you must be able to talk about the subject (in any language) and particularly in French….
Let me know if you have any queries on the suggestions above – just instant message me in the box on the right hand side of this page —->
A demain.
Gifted with a few days holidays courtesy of Minister Batt O’Keeffe we really need to dust off the Christmas snowflakes, put away the Roses and log out of Facebook – yes even Facebook! Let’s get down to some work. The exams are looming….
Today we’ll start serious preparations for the Oral exam. There are a few things you need to know about the oral and how to approach it. Have you started working on le document yet? The oral conversation (remember it is a conversation!) lasts about 10-12 minutes. If you have le document with you, use that as a talking point which could be for 3-4 minutes. So, it can really help boost your self-confidence and bring up your grades.
Students have the option of bringing a document into the exam. The document may have a photo or text on it. If there is text is must only be in French. Examples of documents you could chose :
The photograph is by far the most popular choice among students as it allows them speak about a topic close at heart. An example could be a sun holiday you went on; what was the hotel, food, beach like? What language did the locals speak? What did you like most about the place?
Another example could be a photograph of a celebrity! You could print out a photo of Lady Gaga and talk about the artist, why you like her music, style, attitude etc.
Remember if you are using the document you have no excuse when it comes to learning off certain words.
une photo – a photograph
une chanson – a song
une carte postale – a postcard
un article – an arcitle
When you walk into the room start off with a simple “Bonjour Monsieur/Madame”. Then you will be asked to recite your name and exam number. After that there will be some simple introductory questions about yourself, maybe where you live, your family. This is intended to get you a little more relaxed and start the conversation flowing with the examiner. Remember all the question directed at you will be in the vous form.
Ou est-ce que vouz habitez?
It may be a few minutes into the oral before you are asked about le document.
Pourquoi avez-vouz choisi cette photo ?
Cette une carte postale de Barcelone….
Remember, there is a chance that you could be asked a question that (1) you didn’t understand (2) you had a lapse in concentration (3) you got confused. This is entirely normal and happens in every oral session. Just politely ask the examine to repeat the question. You will not be deducted any marks for this.
Je n’ai pas compris la question…
So get out that document and tomorrow, Tuesday, we’ll look at some more aspects of the oral. Later in the week we’ll look at revising letters.
Don’t forget the use the instant chat box on the side over the next few days if you need any help. I will be online for most of the week and only too delighted to answer your questions. Review my recent blog on Oral Questions and listen to the audio file to get familiar. Keep you the good work…..
