The 2022 French Baccalaureate exams are fast approaching so to best prepare for the oral exam, here is the advice of a teacher.
The 2022 Baccalaureate exams started a few weeks ago, for final year students. For high school students in general and technological first class, the big day is approaching. On Thursday June 16, 2022 in the afternoon, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., the advance written French tests will take place. This exam will be followed a few days later (from Monday 20 June), the oral test of the French baccalaureate. These evaluations are important in the final mark of the candidate since it is a matter ofa factor of 10 (5 for written, 5 for oral). These are the only tests that students in first class will take since continuous assessment has replaced the common tests.
For some, the oral exam is a real source of stress. So to make it as successful as possible, Cecile Hommet, French teacher at the Cours Notre Dame private high school in Douvres-la-Délivrande, in Normandy, gives us some advice.
How does the French Oral take place?
After the written exams of the French baccalaureate, first year students in the general and technological streams will have to take the oral exam. This consists of two parts, with a prior preparation time of 30 minutes. During the first part of the test, which lasts 12 minutes, the student must prepare a text retained by the examiner and read aloud. Then, he offers a linear explanation of a passage of about twenty lines. He will also have to answer a grammar question on the chosen text.
For the second part of the oral French test, which lasts 8 minutes, the student is invited to present a work that he has chosen among those studied in class.
The first part of the oral test is marked out of 12 points, the second out of 8 points.
A teacher’s advice for passing your oral test
Before the test:
- You only have a few days left to revise so the important thing is to ORGANIZE! Divide your time to review each part of your notes. It is important to work regularly but above all to relax. So the day before the exam, stop revising at least an hour before going to bed.
- For your reading to be fluent at the time of passage, practice reading your texts aloud. Don’t forget to take care of the connections. To make your reading expressive, don’t hesitate to set the tone.
- For your analysis to be complete and precise, review your grammar: questioning, negation, circumstantial subordinate clauses as a priority, also take a look at the other clauses, the nature of the words, the analysis of verb tenses, etc.
D-day :
- Don’t forget to bring with you:
– your invitation
– your ID
– your list of clean (descriptive) texts, without coffee stains, grease, etc.
– the texts studied
– the book chosen for the 2nd part of the oral, without annotations
– a bottle of water if the stress makes your mouth dry
- Come early! Be present from 7:40 a.m. if you come in the morning or from 1:40 p.m. if your call is in the afternoon.
- Dress in clothes you feel comfortable in. Stand straight. And above all, no chewing gum!
During the test:
- When you arrive in the room, be polite, without being pompous. And present your papers to the examiner by taking them out of their case or pouch.
- During your presentation, take care of the form: a brief presentation of the author, situation of the passage, problematic and movement of the text, make a complete linear study using analysis tools. Attention, do not forget to read the text!
- In the second part of the test, try to be enthusiastic, to share your interest in the chosen work. During the interview, defend your point of view, try to remain calm but fight. Look convinced, interested in what you’re saying (even if you’re not).
- And above all: do not ask for your note! This is incorrect and no reviewer will tell you.
The keys are now in your hands, so good luck everyone!