Assessing Speaking Skills in Core French Grade 12 (Challenge Discussion Rubric)

The student is expected to sustain a 5-8 minute discussion in the target language with two other partners

Information about the discussion:
You will participate in a discussion (5 to 8 minutes) with two partners who will be assigned to you on the day of the examination. Your topic will be given to you on a card. You will have a minute to clarify the task, then you and your partners will have approximately 8 minutes to prepare.
During the preparation time, you should think or talk about your ideas on the topic. Partners may wish to take differing points of view in order to better sustain the discussion. The examiner will mark your discussion using the attached scale.

This activity gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your achievement of the following outcomes:
• exchange ideas and thoughts about areas of personal interest;
• give reasons and information to support points of view on various issues.

During the examination you will be expected to:
• engage in a discussion;
• use your skills and knowledge to develop the discussion by asking each other questions; offering your opinions, reasons, ideas, arguments; interacting with and responding to others’ ideas and cues; supporting your partner(s);

Assessing Speaking Skills in Core French Grade 11 (Challenge Conversation Rubric)

The student is expected to sustain a 3 to 5 minute conversation in the target language with a partner

Information about the conversation:
You will be asked to converse for 3 to 5 minutes with a partner who will be assigned to you on the day of the examination. You and your partner will receive a card that describes a common life situation. You will have a minute to clarify the task if necessary; then you and your partner will have 6 to 8 minutes to prepare. During the preparation time, you should work together to create a framework for your conversation and decide on your ideas. The examiner will mark your conversation using the attached scale.

This activity gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your achievement of the following outcomes:
• express plans, goals and intentions in the short and long term;
• interact effectively and with some spontaneity, in the target language, in familiar situations drawn from real life.

During the examination you will be expected to:
• participate spontaneously in a simulated conversation;
• use your skills and knowledge to develop the conversation;
• interact, responding to cues and supporting your partner.

Your conversation does not have to be dramatic; you can speak normally as you would in any conversation.