HSC French Continuers key terms
HSC French Continuers · Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
- la famille monoparentale
- Related: le foyer, la garde des enfants
A household in which one parent lives with and raises children without a partner. The term appears in discussions of changing family structures in contemporary French society.
- le foyer
- Related: la famille monoparentale, le logement
A home or household considered as a unit, often referring to the family living together. Used in statistics and social commentary about living arrangements.
- la garde des enfants
- Related: la famille monoparentale
The arrangement of who looks after children, especially after parents separate. It can involve shared custody or primary custody and is a common topic in family law discussions.
- le bénévolat
- Related: une association, la solidarité
Unpaid work done willingly to help others or support a cause, often through associations. It is frequently discussed as a form of community engagement and social contribution.
- une association
- Related: le bénévolat, la solidarité
A non-profit organisation formed by people with a shared purpose, such as charity, sport, or culture. In France, associations are governed by the law of 1901 and play a big role in community life.
- le stage
- Related: l'apprentissage, le CV
A period of work experience undertaken by a student or trainee, often as part of a course. It is a common topic in discussions about education and preparation for employment.
- l'apprentissage
- Related: le stage, la formation
The process of learning a skill or trade, often through a combination of practical work and study. In France, apprenticeship schemes allow young people to train while earning.
- le CV
- Related: le stage, un entretien d'embauche
A curriculum vitae, a document summarising a person's education, qualifications, and work history. It is used when applying for jobs and is a standard topic in work-related texts.
- un entretien d'embauche
- Related: le CV, le chômage
A job interview where an employer meets a candidate to assess suitability. It is a common listening or reading scenario involving work and personal presentation.
- le chômage
- Related: le pouvoir d'achat, la précarité
The state of being without paid work, or the unemployment rate in an economy. It appears in discussions about social issues, the economy, and government policy.
- la précarité
- Related: le chômage, la solidarité
A condition of insecurity and instability in areas such as employment, housing, or income. The term often appears in social debates about poverty and vulnerable groups.
- le pouvoir d'achat
- Related: le chômage, la précarité
The amount of goods and services a person can buy with their income. It is a frequent topic in news about the cost of living and economic pressures on households.
- la solidarité
- Related: le bénévolat, la précarité
Mutual support and a sense of shared responsibility among people or groups. It is a key value in French social policy and appears in texts about community and helping others.
- le développement durable
- Related: le réchauffement climatique, les énergies renouvelables
Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. It is a central concept in environmental texts and discussions of responsible growth.
- le réchauffement climatique
- Related: le développement durable, l'empreinte carbone
The long-term rise in global temperatures caused mainly by human emissions of greenhouse gases. It appears in listening and reading texts about environmental change and international action.
- les énergies renouvelables
- Related: le développement durable, l'empreinte carbone
Energy sources that are naturally replenished, such as solar, wind, and hydro power. The term is common in texts about energy transition and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
- l'empreinte carbone
- Related: le réchauffement climatique, les énergies renouvelables
The total amount of greenhouse gases produced directly or indirectly by an activity, person, or product. It is used in environmental discussions to measure impact and encourage reduction.
- la mondialisation
- Related: la francophonie, le développement durable
The process by which economies, cultures, and societies become more connected across the world. It appears in texts about trade, cultural exchange, and social change.
- la francophonie
- Related: la mondialisation, le patrimoine
The community of countries and regions where French is spoken, and the cultural and political links among them. It is central to the study of French-speaking communities worldwide.
- le patrimoine
- Related: la francophonie, une coutume
The inherited cultural and natural heritage of a society, including monuments, traditions, and customs. It often appears in texts about preserving identity and attracting tourism.
- une coutume
- Related: le patrimoine, une fête nationale
A traditional practice or way of behaving that is followed by a group or society. It is a common theme in descriptions of festivals and cultural diversity.
- une fête nationale
- Related: une coutume, le patrimoine
A public holiday celebrating a nation, such as Bastille Day in France on 14 July. It is often mentioned in texts about national identity and traditions.
- la laïcité
- Related: une coutume, le patrimoine
The French principle of state neutrality in religious matters and the separation of church and state. It is frequently discussed in relation to schools and public life.
- le logement
- Related: le foyer, la précarité
Housing or accommodation where people live. The term appears in texts about daily life, costs, and social issues such as finding a place to live.
- les réseaux sociaux
- Related: une application, la cyberintimidation
Online platforms where users create profiles and share content with others. They are a common topic in discussions about technology, communication, and social change.
- une application
- Related: les réseaux sociaux, le numérique
A software program designed for a specific task, often used on smartphones or tablets. It appears in texts about technology in daily life and communication.
- le numérique
- Related: les réseaux sociaux, une application
Digital technology and the use of computers and electronic devices. The term is used in discussions about modernisation, education, and access to services.
- la cyberintimidation
- Related: les réseaux sociaux, le numérique
Bullying that takes place online, often through social media or messaging. It is discussed in texts about the risks of technology and the well-being of young people.
- la formation
- Related: l'apprentissage, le stage
The process of teaching or learning skills for a particular job or activity. It appears in texts about education, employment, and lifelong learning.
- le commerce équitable
- Related: la mondialisation, le développement durable
A trading system that aims to give producers in developing countries fair prices and better working conditions. It is a common example in texts about ethical consumption and global issues.
- le bénévolat
- Related: une association, la solidarité
Unpaid work done willingly to help others or support a cause, often through associations. It is frequently discussed as a form of community engagement and social contribution.
- le compte rendu
- Related: le résumé, la lettre formelle
A written or spoken report summarising an event, text, or experience. In the exam, it may refer to a task where candidates report on information they have read or heard.
- le résumé
- Related: le compte rendu, la lettre formelle
A shortened version of a text that presents its main points. It is a common writing task that tests comprehension and the ability to express ideas concisely.
- la lettre formelle
- Related: le résumé, le compte rendu
A letter written in a polite, structured style to an official, organisation, or person in authority. It follows conventions such as a formal greeting and closing.
- le point de vue
- Related: le compte rendu, le résumé
A person's opinion or perspective on a subject. In listening and reading tasks, candidates are often asked to identify the speaker's or writer's point of view.
- le ton
- Related: le point de vue
The attitude or feeling conveyed by a speaker or writer, such as humour, irony, or concern. Recognising tone is important for interpreting spoken and written texts.
- l'auditeur
- Related: le point de vue, le ton
A person who listens, especially to a radio programme, podcast, or speech. In the listening section, candidates must understand what is said to an audience.
- le lecteur
- Related: le point de vue, le ton
A person who reads a text, such as an article or letter. In reading tasks, understanding the intended reader helps candidates interpret the purpose and register.
- le destinateur
- Related: le lecteur, le point de vue
The person or group who sends a message or writes a text. Identifying the sender helps candidates understand the context and purpose of a communication.