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.
Le document
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 :
- photograph – e.g. of you on your holidays in Connemeara/EuroDisney/Barcelona
- newspaper article or a magazine photo
- postcard
- an extract from a poem/play
- a project you worked on yourself during your Leaving Cert cycle
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.
Learn, learn, learn….
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
Petits Pas
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…..
