NCEA Level 3 French key terms

The skill of understanding spoken French, such as a news report, interview or announcement, and extracting the main idea, specific details, opinions and tone without needing every word.

The key words in a spoken or written passage that carry the essential meaning. Noticing them quickly helps you answer questions even when other vocabulary is unfamiliar.

Understanding the overall gist or message of a text or recording before focusing on details. It is a first-pass strategy for building meaning from context.

Reading or listening for precise information such as names, numbers, dates, reasons and opinions. It follows a first skim and requires careful attention to specific wording.

The rise and fall of the voice in speech. In French it signals questions, surprise, emphasis or emotion, and can change meaning even when the words stay the same.

The speed at which someone speaks. Fast, natural speech in authentic recordings can be challenging, so practising with varied speeds builds listening stamina.

The linking of a normally silent final consonant to the vowel that starts the next word, as in 'les_amis' or 'vous_avez'. It affects how spoken French sounds and is understood.

Dropping a final vowel before a word beginning with a vowel or silent h, replaced by an apostrophe, as in 'l'école' or 'j'aime'. It is essential for correct writing and smooth speech.

The level of formality in language, ranging from formal (soutenu) through standard to informal (familier). Recognising it helps you interpret tone and choose appropriate language in your own responses.

Addressing someone with 'tu' rather than 'vous'. It signals familiarity or equality and is used with friends, peers and children, while 'vous' shows formality or respect.

Addressing someone with 'vous', either to one person politely or to a group. Choosing correctly between 'tu' and 'vous' is important in spoken interactions and formal writing.

Informal slang vocabulary used in casual speech, often by particular groups. You may meet it in authentic listening texts, but it is usually inappropriate in formal writing.

A fixed phrase whose meaning cannot be worked out from its individual words, such as 'avoir le coup de foudre' (to fall in love instantly). Knowing common idioms aids comprehension.

A French word that looks like an English word but means something different, such as 'actuellement' (currently, not actually) or 'éventuellement' (possibly). Misreading them causes errors.

Word groups organised around topics such as health, environment, technology or immigration. Building topic vocabulary helps you understand texts and express ideas precisely in speaking and writing.

A set of words related to one theme within a text, for example words about pollution or family. Identifying it helps you infer meaning and analyse the writer's focus.

Reading with a specific purpose, scanning for particular information such as a date, price or name while ignoring irrelevant parts. It saves time in exam reading tasks.

A linking word or phrase such as 'cependant', 'donc', 'par conséquent' or 'd'une part' that shows how ideas relate. Using them well improves coherence in writing and speaking.

How a piece of writing is organised, including introduction, development and conclusion, and how paragraphs connect. A clear structure helps the reader follow your argument.

An outline of the main points and supporting ideas before writing. Planning ensures your response is organised, answers the question and develops ideas logically.

Presenting and supporting a point of view with reasons, examples and evidence, while acknowledging other opinions. It is central to essays and to discussion tasks in speaking.

Presenting both the advantages and disadvantages of an issue before reaching a conclusion. This balanced approach is common in French discursive writing and oral discussions.

Stating a clear personal opinion on an issue and defending it. In speaking and writing tasks you are often expected to make your viewpoint explicit rather than stay neutral.

A structured discussion in which participants exchange opposing views on a topic. It requires turn-taking, responding to others and justifying opinions in spoken French.

Two-way spoken communication such as a conversation, role-play or interview, where you respond to another speaker. It tests fluency, appropriacy and the ability to keep a exchange going.

How words are articulated in speech, including vowel sounds, nasal vowels and silent letters. Clear pronunciation makes your spoken French understandable to a listener.

The stress placed on parts of words or sentences. French stresses syllables evenly and emphasises the final syllable of a group, unlike English stress patterns.

Speaking smoothly and at a natural pace with few hesitations. It develops through practice and is assessed alongside accuracy and range of language in speaking tasks.

Expressing an idea again in different words, either to clarify your meaning or to paraphrase a source. It shows flexibility and is useful when you lack a specific word.

Describing something using several words instead of one precise term, such as 'l'appareil qui sert à mesurer la température'. It is a useful strategy when a word is forgotten.

A verb form showing when an action happens, such as present, past or future. Choosing the correct tense, including agreement and irregular forms, is essential for accurate writing and speech.

A verb mood used after expressions of doubt, necessity, emotion or wish, as in 'il faut que tu viennes'. It is a common grammar point in Level 3 writing and speaking.

The rules for matching tenses within a sentence, especially when reporting speech or using conditional structures. Correct sequencing keeps past and hypothetical statements clear.

Making words agree in gender and number, for example between a noun and its adjective or a subject and its verb. Agreement errors are among the most common in written French.

Correct spelling, including accents, apostrophes and silent letters. Accurate spelling matters in formal writing tasks and affects how clearly your ideas are understood.

A conventional phrase used to open or close letters and emails, such as 'Je vous prie d'agréer mes salutations distinguées'. Choosing the right formula shows awareness of register and purpose.

A short account of the main points of a text or recording, written in your own words. It tests comprehension and the ability to select and condense relevant information.

A report summarising an event, article or discussion, usually including main points and a brief evaluation. It requires clear organisation and objective language.