Leaving Certificate French Practice
Master French speaking from Ordinary to Higher Level with AI-powered practice. Official SEC format, instant feedback, proven results. Join 3,500+ successful students.
What examiners look for in the Leaving Cert French oral
Marking focuses on Communication, Language Range, Accuracy and Fluency. You gain marks by expressing clear ideas, supporting opinions, using a wider range of structures (e.g. past/future, conditionals, subjunctive), and maintaining natural pace and pronunciation.
Our AI rehearses Entretien Personnel, Discussion Générale, and optional Document with realistic timing and examiner follow‑ups so you learn to extend answers, avoid common grammar slips, and sound confident. Short, frequent practice sessions move most students up a grade band.
Sujets clés (registry)
Erreurs fréquentes (registry)
- • Students often answer with just "oui/non"
- • Students may panic when confused
- • Watch for direct English translations
- • Detect memorized answers
- • Students may use "tu" inappropriately
- • Gender agreement errors are common
- • Students struggle with future tense questions
- • Watch for recited memorized passages
Leaving Certificate French Oral Format
Entretien Personnel (Personal Interview)
interview
What you need to do:
Expert Tip
Example Questions
Discussion Générale (General Discussion)
conversation
What you need to do:
Expert Tip
Example Questions
Document (Optional)
presentation
What you need to do:
Expert Tip
Example Questions
How You're Assessed
Communication
Ability to communicate effectively and naturally
Vocabulary
Range and appropriateness of vocabulary
Grammar
Grammatical accuracy and complexity
Pronunciation
Pronunciation and intonation
Essential Vocabulary by Level
Ordinary Level Vocabulary
Higher Level Vocabulary
Key Discussion Topics
Society & Culture
Société et Culture
Ordinary Level Topics:
Higher Level Topics:
Current Affairs
Actualités
Ordinary Level Topics:
Higher Level Topics:
Education & Future
Éducation et Avenir
Ordinary Level Topics:
Higher Level Topics:
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Students often answer with just "oui/non"
prompt for elaboration
Students may panic when confused
offer to rephrase calmly
Watch for direct English translations
note but don't correct
Detect memorized answers
ask unexpected follow-up questions
Students may use "tu" inappropriately
maintain "vous" throughout
Gender agreement errors are common
note for scoring
Students struggle with future tense questions
may need rephrasing
Watch for recited memorized passages
redirect to natural conversation
Leaving Certificate French FAQs
What is the Leaving Certificate French oral exam format?
The exam has 3 parts: Entretien Personnel (5 mins, 40%), Discussion Générale (5 mins, 35%), and optional Document presentation (2 mins, 25%). Total duration is 12 minutes.
What's the difference between Higher and Ordinary Level French?
Higher Level expects B2 fluency with complex discussions of abstract topics, while Ordinary Level requires B1 proficiency focusing on personal experiences and concrete topics.
Do I need to bring a document for the oral exam?
The document is optional. If you bring one (picture, article, project), you present it for 2 minutes. If not, the extra time is added to the general discussion section.
What topics should I prepare for Discussion Générale?
Current affairs, French culture vs Irish culture, environmental issues, technology, education, and social topics. Practice expressing and justifying opinions on these themes.
How do I handle the Entretien Personnel section?
Prepare to talk fluently about yourself, your school, hobbies, family, part-time jobs, and where you live. This section tests personal communication skills.
How long should I prepare for Leaving Cert French speaking?
Most students need 3-4 months regular practice. Focus on building vocabulary for personal topics and current affairs, plus mastering French pronunciation.
Quelle longueur pour mes réponses ?
Ordinaire : 20-30 words per response, basic connectors (et, mais, parce que). Supérieur : 40-60 words per response, complex connectors (cependant, néanmoins, en revanche).
Quel style d'examinateur attendre ?
Formal but encouraging, follows structured conversation flow