GUIDE TO SPEAKING EXAM
Photocard
PLEASE NOTE:
You will have 5 minutes to prepare your card. Do not forget to also read the title of the card carefully
during your preparation time as this can give you further information. You won't have the time to write
full sentences! Only write notes! Think about the 2 questions you will ask the teacher-examiner.
Question 1 is always asking about what the card is about (or what is said about an aspect mentioned in
the card).
Rephrase the information given on the card to answer this question. Do not add any other content or
opinions at this stage!
You need to show a good understanding of the material on the card
After the first question is asked, the teacher-examiner will ask follow up questions for further
descriptions.
Question 2 is always asking about your reaction/ opinion about what is on the card.
You could start with: "Personnellement, je suis surpris(e)/ je ne suis pas surpris(e)..."
You need to show good knowledge of the sub-topic by selecting relevant information to support your
argument.
You need to demonstrate a good evaluation of the sub-theme.
After this question is asked, the teacher-examiner will ask follow up questions, it will be an opportunity
for you to ask one of your questions.
Question 3 is always a question which opens to other aspects of the sub-theme.
You could ask your 2nd question after giving your answer.
The teacher-examiner will ask follow up questions
You need to show good knowledge of the sub-topic by selecting relevant information to support your
argument.
You need to demonstrate a good evaluation of the sub-theme.
You need to use a good range of specific vocabulary
You need to use complex language
Be careful!
Don't forget to use the "vous" form when asking your questions!
Make sure you are not giving your answer to question 3 before it has been asked or you will end up
repeating yourself!
Include subjunctive!
Il est essentiel que nous prenions des mesures pour...
Bien que ce soit un défi, il est important que...
Il faut que l’on fasse plus pour...
Ça me fait plaisir que + subjunctive…
C’est formidable que + subjunctive…
Ça m’attriste que + subjunctive…
Nice Fillers to Sound Fluent
Eh bien… – Well…
Comment dire… – How shall I put it…
C’est une question intéressante… – That’s an interesting question…
Il faut que je réfléchisse un peu… – I need to think about that a little…
Je n’y avais jamais pensé, mais… – I had never thought about that, but…
Si je ne me trompe pas… – If I’m not mistaken…
Photocard
PLEASE NOTE:
You will have 5 minutes to prepare your card. Do not forget to also read the title of the card carefully
during your preparation time as this can give you further information. You won't have the time to write
full sentences! Only write notes! Think about the 2 questions you will ask the teacher-examiner.
Question 1 is always asking about what the card is about (or what is said about an aspect mentioned in
the card).
Rephrase the information given on the card to answer this question. Do not add any other content or
opinions at this stage!
You need to show a good understanding of the material on the card
After the first question is asked, the teacher-examiner will ask follow up questions for further
descriptions.
Question 2 is always asking about your reaction/ opinion about what is on the card.
You could start with: "Personnellement, je suis surpris(e)/ je ne suis pas surpris(e)..."
You need to show good knowledge of the sub-topic by selecting relevant information to support your
argument.
You need to demonstrate a good evaluation of the sub-theme.
After this question is asked, the teacher-examiner will ask follow up questions, it will be an opportunity
for you to ask one of your questions.
Question 3 is always a question which opens to other aspects of the sub-theme.
You could ask your 2nd question after giving your answer.
The teacher-examiner will ask follow up questions
You need to show good knowledge of the sub-topic by selecting relevant information to support your
argument.
You need to demonstrate a good evaluation of the sub-theme.
You need to use a good range of specific vocabulary
You need to use complex language
Be careful!
Don't forget to use the "vous" form when asking your questions!
Make sure you are not giving your answer to question 3 before it has been asked or you will end up
repeating yourself!
Include subjunctive!
Il est essentiel que nous prenions des mesures pour...
Bien que ce soit un défi, il est important que...
Il faut que l’on fasse plus pour...
Ça me fait plaisir que + subjunctive…
C’est formidable que + subjunctive…
Ça m’attriste que + subjunctive…
Nice Fillers to Sound Fluent
Eh bien… – Well…
Comment dire… – How shall I put it…
C’est une question intéressante… – That’s an interesting question…
Il faut que je réfléchisse un peu… – I need to think about that a little…
Je n’y avais jamais pensé, mais… – I had never thought about that, but…
Si je ne me trompe pas… – If I’m not mistaken…
