1- Speaking

2)      You need to be reactive : rephrase your arguments or find new ones during the exchange with the examiner. Go back to the documents used and give more details. Expressions such as ‘I agree’, ‘I disagree’ ‘I am not entirely sure that…’ ‘On the one hand’/’on the other hand’, ‘additionally’, ‘consequently’,  ’indeed’, could be used.

Your bac oral exam in English is about evaluating your ‘oral English’

3)      The English you use should be as correct as possible, as far as grammar, syntax, conjugations, pronunciation are concerned. You can’t hesitate too much and have to carefully choose your words : they have to be adequate and precise. In LV3, ‘a correct language’ required :  it is vague enough that your examiner might expect fluidity (=no hesitations) and no basic mistakes such as incorrect past forms (see irregular verbs list) or forgetting the –s in the present simple !

Your Terminale oral exams in English are about evaluating a ‘presentation’ :

 4)      Points you need to practise :

·         Organization (introduction, transitions, conclusion)

·         Originality (a personal outlook on the topic)

·         Clarity (articulate, repeat keywords, recap your main points at the end of a part)

·         Speech development (we should feel that we’re going somewhere – don’t make a list)

·         Use of rhetoric (rhetorical tools make communication work : they include the creation of contrasts/oppositions, parallels/similarities, exemplifying, creating images (comparisons, metaphors), asking questions and answering them, etc)

·         Vocal variety (use your tone to underline the important points you’re making or make a statement – remember Martin Luther King, Jr. ?)

·         Body language (relax, use your hands or hold something if you’re nervous)

·         Eye contact (look at your audience to make sure they understand)

·         Visual aids (use your aid, graphs, images, point to the passage you’re commenting in a text)

·         Language correctness (word choice, grammar, pronunciation, word and sentence stress – see above)

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In a nutshell: Aim for B2 (CEFR):  I can present clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to my field of interest. I can explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.