Maintaining a conversation

    AQA
    GCSE

    The assessment of oral proficiency requires candidates to demonstrate the ability to initiate, sustain, and conclude a dialogue in the target language. This component evaluates the effective use of repair strategies, the manipulation of complex grammatical structures across multiple time frames, and the capacity to respond spontaneously to unpredictable elements within the discourse. Success depends on balancing linguistic accuracy with communicative fluency.

    0
    Objectives
    4
    Exam Tips
    3
    Pitfalls
    3
    Key Terms
    4
    Mark Points

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Award Communication marks for responses that go beyond minimal adequacy; candidates must develop answers with opinions and justifications.
    • Credit the successful use of three time frames (past, present, future); references must be unambiguous and grammatically recognizable.
    • Assess Range and Accuracy by the variety of vocabulary and complexity of structures (e.g., subordinate clauses, object pronouns) used.
    • Reward spontaneity and fluency; penalize heavy reliance on pre-learnt monologues that do not directly answer the examiner's specific question.

    Example Examiner Feedback

    Real feedback patterns examiners use when marking

    • "You answered the question, but you must extend your answer with a 'parce que' clause to gain Communication marks."
    • "Your pronunciation is clear, but you are relying on 'c'est' too much; vary your structures with 'je trouve ça' or 'à mon avis'."
    • "Excellent use of the past tense, but ensure you switch back to the present when giving your current opinion to show flexibility."
    • "You must include a reference to a future plan using the near or simple future to access the top band for Range and Accuracy."

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Award Communication marks for responses that go beyond minimal adequacy; candidates must develop answers with opinions and justifications.
    • Credit the successful use of three time frames (past, present, future); references must be unambiguous and grammatically recognizable.
    • Assess Range and Accuracy by the variety of vocabulary and complexity of structures (e.g., subordinate clauses, object pronouns) used.
    • Reward spontaneity and fluency; penalize heavy reliance on pre-learnt monologues that do not directly answer the examiner's specific question.

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡Listen for the auxiliary verb in the examiner's question (as-tu / vas-tu) to identify the required time frame for your answer.
    • 💡Use the 'PAL' method for extended answers: Point (answer), Agrandissement (detail/example), Lien (opinion/justification).
    • 💡Incorporate 'stalling phrases' like 'à vrai dire' or 'laisse-moi réfléchir' to buy thinking time without breaking French communication.
    • 💡Ensure you include at least one complex structure (e.g., 'bien que', 'avant de', 'si j'avais le choix') in each theme discussion.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Confusing the imperfect (description/habit) with the perfect tense (specific action), e.g., 'j'étais allé' instead of 'je suis allé'.
    • Ignoring the tense of the examiner's question and responding in the present tense when a past or future response is required.
    • Over-use of basic adjectives (bon, sympa, cool) and simple connectives (et, mais), which limits the Range mark significantly.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Parle-moi de
    Décris
    Qu'est-ce que tu as fait
    Qu'est-ce que tu feras
    Pourquoi
    Comment

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