GCSE FRENCH REVISION SPEAKING EXAM

LEARNING OUTCOMES By the end of this session You will understand what is expected of you in the speaking exam You will have learned strategies to prepare for the role play and general conversation You will have an understanding of what is required to achieve at foundation and higher tiers.

By the end of this session

You will understand what is expected of you in the speaking exam

You will have learned strategies to prepare for the role play and general conversation

You will have an understanding of what is required to achieve at foundation and higher tiers.

MARKS ALLOCATION 25% OF TOTAL MARKS 3 AREAS MOCK EXAM: ROLE PLAY GENERAL CONVERSATION (2 TOPICS ONLY!!) HIGHER FOUNDATION 20 MARKS 12 MARKS 4 MARKS 20 MARKS GENERAL CONVERSATION 12 MARKS PRESENTATION & DISCUSSION 8 MARKS ROLE PLAY

25% OF TOTAL MARKS

3 AREAS

MOCK EXAM:

ROLE PLAY

GENERAL CONVERSATION (2 TOPICS ONLY!!)

GENERAL CONVERSATION

GENERAL CONVERSATION MARKS ALLOCATION 20 MARKS Communication 4 marks Most of the responses communicated and developed. 3 marks Spontaneity & fluency 4 marks Answers without hesitation and extends responses beyond minimal requirements with some flow of language; may sometimes take the initiative. 3 marks Range & complexity 6 marks Wide range of vocabulary and structure used appropriately in complex responses, many of which show considerable independence of the stimulus. 5 marks Communication 6 marks Structures & pronunciation generally accurate causing only very occasional problems with communication. There is accurate use of variety of tenses. 5 marks

Communication 4 marks

Most of the responses communicated and developed. 3 marks

Spontaneity & fluency 4 marks

Answers without hesitation and extends responses beyond minimal requirements with some flow of language; may sometimes take the initiative.

3 marks

Range & complexity 6 marks

Wide range of vocabulary and structure used appropriately in complex responses, many of which show considerable independence of the stimulus.

5 marks

Communication 6 marks

Structures & pronunciation generally accurate causing only very occasional problems with communication. There is accurate use of variety of tenses.

5 marks

GRADE STUDIO To reach Grade C you need to be able to use a variety of structures. Include simple opinions and time expressions . Try to extend your sentences in simple ways, using connectives like et (and) , mais (but) , aussi (also) , parce que / car (because) . Referring to the past, present and future will help to show a variety of structures. To aim higher than Grade C you need to use a wider variety of tenses . Try to talk about people other than yourself, so that you use a greater variety of verbs and personal pronouns. When giving opinions, use a variety of phrases To really impress the examiner and aim for an A* grade : Use negatives Use complex sentences that contain more than one tense or several ideas joined together in one sentence. Use as great a variety of structures to extend your sentences as possible.

To reach Grade C you need to be able to use a variety of structures.

Include simple opinions and time expressions .

Try to extend your sentences in simple ways, using connectives like et (and) , mais (but) , aussi (also) , parce que / car (because) .

Referring to the past, present and future will help to show a variety of structures.

To aim higher than Grade C you need to use a wider variety of tenses .

Try to talk about people other than yourself, so that you use a greater variety of verbs and personal pronouns.

When giving opinions, use a variety of phrases

To really impress the examiner and aim for an A* grade :

Use negatives

Use complex sentences that contain more than one tense or several ideas joined together in one sentence.

Use as great a variety of structures to extend your sentences as possible.

Preparing for the speaking exam: ROLE-PLAY WHAT YOU MUST BE ABLE TO DO The most important thing is to get your message across , so that a French-speaking person would understand. Of course, you should try to be as accurate as possible, but small mistakes will not always lose marks. You will also need to ask questions , as well as give answers . To do well at higher level, you will need to be accurate and fluent. You will also have to deal with the unexpected , give explanations and communicate opinions , ideas and feelings . You will also be expected to use different verb tenses and have a wide range of vocabulary .

WHAT YOU MUST BE ABLE TO DO

The most important thing is to get your message across , so that a French-speaking person would understand.

Of course, you should try to be as accurate as possible, but small mistakes will not always lose marks.

You will also need to ask questions , as well as give answers .

To do well at higher level,

you will need to be accurate and fluent.

You will also have to deal with the unexpected , give explanations and communicate opinions , ideas and feelings .

You will also be expected to use different verb tenses and have a wide range of vocabulary .

Preparing for the speaking exam: ROLE-PLAY (cont.) BEING FLEXIBLE: There could be more than one way of interpreting a question. For example, if somebody asks you where you would like to go this evening, you could say 'je voudrais aller au cinéma' or 'j'aimerais voir un film'. In the same way, if you were asked to say that something was free, but you did not know how to say 'c'est gratuit' , you could use the alternatives 'vous ne payez pas' or 'il ne faut pas payer' .

BEING FLEXIBLE:

There could be more than one way of interpreting a question. For example, if somebody asks you where you would like to go this evening, you could say

'je voudrais aller au cinéma' or

'j'aimerais voir un film'.

In the same way, if you were asked to say that something was free, but you did not know how to say 'c'est gratuit' , you could use the alternatives

'vous ne payez pas' or

'il ne faut pas payer' .

Preparing for the speaking exam: ROLE-PLAY (cont.) The unexpected ! This means that you will not be told what to say on your role play card - often there will be a symbol such as '!' in place of an instruction. Here you will have to respond to something that the examiner has just said. How to prepare for the UNEXPECTED? Think through how you might deal with situations where you have asked for something that it is not available. For example, think about what you might say in reply to statements such as: 'Il n'y a pas de chambres de libre.' 'L'hôtel est complet.'

The unexpected !

This means that you will not be told what to say on your role play card - often there will be a symbol such as '!' in place of an instruction. Here you will have to respond to something that the examiner has just said.

How to prepare for the UNEXPECTED?

Think through how you might deal with situations where you have asked for something that it is not available.

For example, think about what you might say in reply to statements such as:

'Il n'y a pas de chambres de libre.'

'L'hôtel est complet.'

Preparing for the speaking exam: GENERAL CONVERSATION WHAT YOU MUST BE ABLE TO DO At the foundation tier , the most important thing is to answer all the examiner's questions clearly , so that a French-speaking person would understand. Of course, you should try to be as accurate as possible, but small mistakes will not always lose marks. The best foundation tier candidates will be able to refer to the past, present and future . They will also be able to express personal opinions . To do well at the higher tier , you will need to be accurate and fluent . You will have to produce longer sequences of speech and use a variety of structures , tenses and vocabulary . You will also be expected to express ideas and justify your point of view.

WHAT YOU MUST BE ABLE TO DO

At the foundation tier , the most important thing is to answer all the examiner's questions clearly , so that a French-speaking person would understand.

Of course, you should try to be as accurate as possible, but small mistakes will not always lose marks. The best foundation tier candidates will be able to refer to the past, present and future . They will also be able to express personal opinions .

To do well at the higher tier , you will need to be accurate and fluent . You will have to produce longer sequences of speech and use a variety of structures , tenses and vocabulary . You will also be expected to express ideas and justify your point of view.

Preparing for the speaking exam: GENERAL CONVERSATION (cont.) PREPARING Prepare as much material in advance as you can. Take one topic at a time. Start simple. Later on you will find opportunities to improve your work by adding a few more interesting details. Remember - it is easy to improve a simple piece of work. It is much harder to simplify something that is too complicated! The language you prepare must be your language at your level. Don't prepare notes with words or phrases that are too difficult or complicated. If you do, you will not manage a confident, lively conversation and you will get a low mark.

PREPARING

Prepare as much material in advance as you can. Take one topic at a time.

Start simple. Later on you will find opportunities to improve your work by adding a few more interesting details. Remember - it is easy to improve a simple piece of work. It is much harder to simplify something that is too complicated!

The language you prepare must be your language at your level.

Don't prepare notes with words or phrases that are too difficult or complicated. If you do, you will not manage a confident, lively conversation and you will get a low mark.

Preparing for the speaking exam: GENERAL CONVERSATION (cont.) PREPARING Prepare as much material in advance as you can. Take one topic at a time. Start simple. Later on you will find opportunities to improve your work by adding a few more interesting details. Remember - it is easy to improve a simple piece of work. It is much harder to simplify something that is too complicated! The language you prepare must be your language at your level. Don't prepare notes with words or phrases that are too difficult or complicated. If you do, you will not manage a confident, lively conversation and you will get a low mark.

PREPARING

Prepare as much material in advance as you can. Take one topic at a time.

Start simple. Later on you will find opportunities to improve your work by adding a few more interesting details. Remember - it is easy to improve a simple piece of work. It is much harder to simplify something that is too complicated!

The language you prepare must be your language at your level.

Don't prepare notes with words or phrases that are too difficult or complicated. If you do, you will not manage a confident, lively conversation and you will get a low mark.

Preparing for the speaking exam: GENERAL CONVERSATION (cont.) SOUNDING FLUENT Sometimes you may hesitate in the conversation. Try to do this in French. Don't say "um..." or "er...". Instead, prepare some useful French " fillers " such as 'alors', 'enfin', 'euh', 'eh bien'. The better prepared you are, the easier it will be to seem relaxed, fluent and spontaneous in the exam.

SOUNDING FLUENT

Sometimes you may hesitate in the conversation. Try to do this in French. Don't say "um..." or "er...". Instead, prepare some useful French " fillers " such as 'alors', 'enfin', 'euh', 'eh bien'.

The better prepared you are, the easier it will be to seem relaxed, fluent and spontaneous in the exam.

Preparing for the speaking exam: GENERAL CONVERSATION (cont.) IN THE EXAM Avoid making the conversation sound like a rehearsed set of questions and answers. One way to do this is to think of each question as a " trigger " to help you say as much good French as you can. For example , if your examiner asks you to talk about your family, don't just name the members of your family and wait for the next question. Instead, develop your reply by taking one member of the family and describing their personality, as well as their physical appearance. You could then give your opinion of that person and say whether you get on well together, and why.

IN THE EXAM

Avoid making the conversation sound like a rehearsed set of questions and answers. One way to do this is to think of each question as a " trigger " to help you say as much good French as you can.

For example , if your examiner asks you to talk about your family, don't just name the members of your family and wait for the next question.

Instead, develop your reply by taking one member of the family and describing their personality, as well as their physical appearance.

You could then give your opinion of that person and say whether you get on well together, and why.

Preparing for the speaking exam: GENERAL CONVERSATION (cont.) IN THE EXAM (cont.) Don't panic if your teacher asks you a question you have not prepared. Short answers, as well as complete sentences are both acceptable. Try to be spontaneous and to respond quickly and confidently. If you don't understand a question, ask the examiner (in French) to repeat it. If you still don't understand, say so and let the examiner move on. Avoid long silences . Don't worry if things get harder as the conversation develops. Remember, it's the examiner's job to "push" you as far as you can go. If everything was too easy, the examiner would be letting you under-achieve.

IN THE EXAM (cont.)

Don't panic if your teacher asks you a question you have not prepared. Short answers, as well as complete sentences are both acceptable. Try to be spontaneous and to respond quickly and confidently.

If you don't understand a question, ask the examiner (in French) to repeat it. If you still don't understand, say so and let the examiner move on. Avoid long silences .

Don't worry if things get harder as the conversation develops. Remember, it's the examiner's job to "push" you as far as you can go. If everything was too easy, the examiner would be letting you under-achieve.

REVISION STRATEGIES Break up your revision into manageable amounts Devise a revision timetable and STICK TO IT! Attend booster classes Have someone test you on your questions (parent, friend, sibling)

Break up your revision into manageable amounts

Devise a revision timetable and STICK TO IT!

Attend booster classes

Have someone test you on your questions (parent, friend, sibling)

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO WATCH OUT FOR? Don’t try to do it the night before Be careful of pronunciation – for example: Accents é /ay/ Check your general conversation. Have you included: 3 tenses Variety of connectives Reasons & opinions Complex sentences Extended sentences Remember: Your mark is awarded on the ENTIRE conversation, not each separate answer!!

Don’t try to do it the night before

Be careful of pronunciation – for example:

Accents é /ay/

Check your general conversation. Have you included:

3 tenses

Variety of connectives

Reasons & opinions

Complex sentences

Extended sentences

WHERE CAN I GET EXTRA HELP? Your teacher www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/ www.s-cool.co.uk www.iamlearning.co.uk www.educ8me.typepad.co.uk Mrs Hansraj’s blog

Your teacher

www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/

www.s-cool.co.uk

www.iamlearning.co.uk

www.educ8me.typepad.co.uk

Mrs Hansraj’s blog