I am preparing for the end of year exam. It reminds me of the radio show “Just a minute”, where you have to talk for one minute, without hesitation, deviation or repetition. My aim is to avoid hesitation and deviation; I’m not so worried about repetition, as long as I can keep talking. Two minutes of presentation I can prepare. Talking to the examiner, that’s a little more challenging. I really need to avoid painful gaps where there is a silence while I try and find an answer. A little repetition while I gather my words, is not a problem, this part of the exam is supposed to be a conversation, not a quick fire quiz round.
And with game shows still in mind, I have to remember like Mastermind, the examiner won’t give me any points for “Pass” as an answer, although the occasional “I don’t know” or “Can you repeat the question” if spoken in grammatical French will be perfectly acceptable. Although there won’t be a whistle or a buzzer at the end of the four minute talk just a polite indication that the conversation is complete.
While this is scary, unlike the previous assignments which are prepared and polished as much as possible before submission, this conversation is live and unrehearsed. I get to use the French I have learnt this year in something like a real conversation. I think I’m a little bit excited as well.