NB FSL Oral Proficiency key terms

The ability to understand spoken French as it is heard, without reading a transcript. It involves catching main ideas, specific details, and the speaker's intent at natural speed.

The speed at which a speaker produces words, usually measured in syllables per second. Fast delivery compresses sounds and makes word boundaries harder to detect.

Working out unstated meaning from context, tone, and background knowledge. Listeners use it when a word is unknown or masked by noise, rather than stopping at the gap.

A content word carrying the main information in an utterance, such as a noun, verb, or number. Skilled listeners anchor their understanding on these rather than on every function word.

The level of formality a speaker adopts, from formal to familiar. It shapes vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation, and misreading it can cause offence or misunderstanding.

Everyday informal spoken French used among friends and peers, marked by dropped sounds, simplified grammar, and slang. Candidates must recognise it even when they would not produce it.

Informal vocabulary specific to a social group, often replacing standard words with vivid alternatives. Understanding common slang helps comprehension of authentic conversations and media.

The stress placed on a syllable within a word or phrase. In French it falls on the final syllable of a rhythmic group, which differs from English stress patterns.

The rise and fall of pitch across an utterance. It signals questions, statements, surprise, or irony, and carries meaning that words alone may not convey.

A short sequence of words spoken as one breath unit with stress on its last syllable. French speech is organised into these groups rather than into word-by-word units.

The pronunciation of a normally silent final consonant before a word beginning with a vowel or silent h. It links words smoothly and can change how a phrase sounds.

The smooth linking of a pronounced final consonant to the vowel that starts the next word. It helps speech flow and prevents choppy delivery.

Dropping a final vowel sound before a word starting with a vowel, as when a short article loses its vowel. It keeps speech smooth and is obligatory in standard French.

The way sounds, syllables, and words are articulated. Clear pronunciation makes a speaker intelligible even when grammar or vocabulary is imperfect.

How easily a listener can understand what a speaker says. It depends on sound accuracy, stress, rhythm, and volume rather than on accent removal.

A distinct sound unit that can change meaning in a language, such as the vowels in similar French words. Contrasting phonemes must be produced clearly to avoid confusion.

Two words that differ by only one sound, used to practise and test discrimination. Repeating them trains the ear and mouth to separate similar French vowels or consonants.

A vowel produced with air passing through the nose, characteristic of French. There are several such vowels, and mixing them up can make words unrecognisable.

The ability to speak at a steady pace with few long pauses, false starts, or repairs. It reflects automatic control of language rather than speed alone.

A pause or filler sound while a speaker searches for a word or plan. Occasional hesitation is natural; frequent or long ones reduce perceived fluency.

A short word or phrase that organises talk, such as one signalling a contrast, an example, or a return to the point. They guide the listener and make speech coherent.

A linking word that shows the logical relation between ideas, such as cause, consequence, or opposition. Correct use makes an argument easy to follow.

The logical unity of a spoken text, where each idea supports the overall message. It is achieved through ordering, linking words, and staying on topic.

The act of starting to speak in an interaction, including claiming a turn and holding it. Managing this politely is a core conversational skill.

The right and opportunity to speak within a conversation. Speakers signal when they are finishing and listeners judge when to take over.

A question or comment that invites the other person to continue or expand. It shows active listening and keeps a dialogue moving.

Restating an idea in different words to check understanding or to clarify. It repairs misunderstandings and demonstrates comprehension during interaction.

Describing a thing with several words when the exact term is unknown, such as calling a tool the thing used for opening tins. It keeps communication going despite gaps.

The stock of words a learner can recognise and use. Breadth supports comprehension, while easy access to words supports fluent production.

A habitual word partnership that native speakers expect, such as a verb that commonly goes with a particular noun. Using them makes speech sound natural.

A fixed phrase whose meaning cannot be worked out from its individual words. Recognising common ones prevents literal misinterpretation in conversation.

A word that looks similar in French and another language but differs in meaning. Assuming equivalence leads to errors that confuse listeners.

Choosing the word that expresses the intended meaning exactly rather than approximately. It distinguishes competent from vague production and reduces ambiguity.

The system of changing verb forms to show tense, mood, person, and number. Accurate control of common forms is essential for clear past, present, and future reference.

A verb form that locates an action in time, such as present, past, or future. Choosing appropriately between them is central to grammatical accuracy.

The verb category expressing the speaker's attitude, such as fact, wish, or command. French uses several modes, and selecting the right one affects meaning.

A verb mode used after certain expressions of doubt, emotion, necessity, or wish. Its forms and triggers are a frequent source of error at intermediate level.

Agreement between words in gender, number, or person, as between a noun and its adjective or a subject and its verb. Errors here are noticed quickly by listeners.

The classification of French nouns as masculine or feminine, which affects articles, adjectives, and pronouns. Getting it wrong disrupts the flow of an utterance.

Addressing someone with the polite second-person plural form. Choosing between polite and familiar address depends on social distance and setting.

Addressing someone with the familiar second-person singular form. It signals closeness or informality and is inappropriate with strangers in formal contexts.