(version en francais en bas de l'article)
Audience: Learners preparing for the PSC/CFP oral SLE
Outcome: Understand why results stay at B, what evaluators expect at C, and how to upgrade your performance.
đ§© Why candidates often remain at B
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đ Ideas stay concrete: listing facts without why / so what / conditions.
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đ§± Simple sentences only: few complex links (concession, condition, causeâeffect).
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đą Grammar over fluency: slowing down to âavoid mistakesâ hurts elaboration.
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đ§· Too few âC markersâ: limited use of gĂ©rondif (en travaillant), infinitif passĂ© (aprĂšs avoir terminĂ©), concessive/conditional locutions (bien que, Ă moins que, afin que, pour que).
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đŻ Vague verbs: paraphrases instead of precise professional vocabulary (optimiser, arbitrer, prioriser).
đĄ Key: Evaluators donât fail you for an isolated error. They look for clarity, elaboration, and abstractionâconsistently.
đ What a C-level answer shows (4 of 5 competencies at C)
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đ Pronunciation: clear contrasts (route / rue), natural rhythm.
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âïž Grammar (C markers): solid basics plus advanced linking (gĂ©rondif, infinitif passĂ©, concession/condition).
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đ§ Vocabulary: precise, professional verbs/adjectives; fewer paraphrases.
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â±ïž Fluency & elaboration: 30â60 seconds with structured reasoning.
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đ Listening: responds the first time; clarifies succinctly when needed.
đ§Ș Side-by-side examples (French samples + English guidance)
A) Describe (B â C)
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B-type (list):
« Une table, un écran, une porte⊠» -
Good B (visualization):
« En entrant, Ă gauche, il y a un bureau en L orientĂ© vers la fenĂȘtre ; lâimprimante est sur lâĂ©tagĂšre pour libĂ©rer lâespace de travail. » -
C-type (function + rationale + effect):
« Le bureau en L, placĂ© face Ă la lumiĂšre naturelle, rĂ©duit la fatigue visuelle. Jâai dĂ©placĂ© lâimprimante sur lâĂ©tagĂšre afin de libĂ©rer lâespace et dâaccĂ©lĂ©rer la prise de notes pendant les rĂ©unions. »
English guidance: Move from what â why itâs arranged â what effect (efficiency, workflow).
B) Narrate & justify (B â C)
Prompt: « Racontez une réunion importante. »
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B-type (steps only):
« Nous avons présenté le rapport, discuté des tùches, fixé la date suivante. » -
C-type (context â decision â reason â outcome):
« Jâai dâabord contextualisĂ© les enjeux afin de prioriser les ressources. Ensuite, nous avons nĂ©gociĂ© un Ă©chĂ©ancier rĂ©aliste pour Ă©viter les goulots dâĂ©tranglement ; cela a permis de sĂ©curiser le dĂ©ploiement en deux phases. »
English guidance: Add context, reasoning, and result to show leadership thinking.
C) Opinion / hypothetical (core of C)
Prompt: « Faut-il imposer trois jours de télétravail obligatoires ? »
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B-type (1 reason):
« Oui, ce serait utile parce que les employés seraient plus productifs. » -
C-type (nuance + condition + recommendation + impact):
« Bien que le tĂ©lĂ©travail amĂ©liore la conciliation travail-vie personnelle, il faut, Ă moins que le service client en souffre, maintenir une prĂ©sence minimale pour prĂ©server lâesprit dâĂ©quipe. Jâenvisagerais un modĂšle hybride modulable, aprĂšs avoir consultĂ© les indicateurs de rendement, afin dâajuster la politique sans pĂ©naliser les opĂ©rations. »
English guidance: Layer your answer: position + concession + condition + action + impact.
đ§° Your C-Toolkit (drop these live)
đ Sentence frames (plug & play)
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Concession: « Bien que⊠», « MĂȘme si⊠»
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Condition/constraint: « à condition que⊠», « à moins que⊠»
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Cause â effect: « Puisque⊠alors⊠», « Cela entraĂźne⊠»
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Weighing options: « Lâavantage principal est⊠cependant⊠»
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Recommendation: « Je recommanderais de⊠afin de⊠»
đ âC markersâ to use naturally
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Gérondif: En travaillant en cycles courts, nous réduisons les risques.
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Infinitif passĂ©: AprĂšs avoir consultĂ© lâĂ©quipe, nous avons ajustĂ© lâĂ©chĂ©ancier.
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Locutions conjonctives: bien que, Ă moins que, afin que, pour que, quoique, tandis que.
đŻ Precision verbs (swap out vague verbs)
optimiser, arbitrer, prioriser, atténuer, clarifier, déployer, encadrer, coordonner, réaffecter, concilier.
đïž Practice plan (3 weeks, repeat as needed)
Daily (15â20 min):
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đïž One prompt â one minute (record): describe / justify / opinion.
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đ§ Upgrade pass: re-say it with 1â2 C markers + 1 precise verb.
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đ Micro-note: what improved? what to add tomorrow?
Twice weekly (20 min):
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F-R-C drill (Fact â Reason â Consequence):
« Fait : Nous réduisons le budget. Raison : Prioriser les projets essentiels. Conséquence : Délai plus long pour les initiatives non critiques. »
Weekly mock (20â30 min):
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3â4 questions A â B â C with a timer; ask a coach to âpushâ for nuance.
â Self-check (before your test)
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â Spoke 30â60 s per answer without freezing
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â Included why / so what / under what conditions in every answer
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â Used at least one: gĂ©rondif / infinitif passĂ© / concessive or conditional clause
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â Chose precise verbs (fewer paraphrases)
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â Handled a follow-up without losing clarity
đ§ Test-day tips
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Breatheâdonât self-grade live. Flow > perfection.
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Structure on the fly: Position â Reason â Condition/Impact â Recommendation.
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Clarify briefly when needed: « Pourriez-vous prĂ©ciser lâaspect Ă prioriser ? »
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Keep it professional, concise, audience-aware (employee, peer, executive).
đ§ B vs C at a glance
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B = clear functionality (describe, report, basic reason).
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C = functionality plus abstraction/nuance (concession, condition, consequence) with precise vocabulary and smooth delivery.
đïž Mini-drills (copy/paste)
Concession drill (Ă5)
« Bien que⊠nous⊠afin de⊠»
Condition drill (Ă5)
« à moins que⊠nous⊠»
After-action drill (Ă5)
« AprÚs avoir⊠nous avons⊠pour⊠»
â Quick FAQ
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Do I need the subjunctive to get C? No. It can help, but evaluators look more for concession/condition links, gérondif/infinitif passé, and clear abstraction.
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Will a mistake fail me? Not if your message stays clear. Itâs repeated confusion that lowers the score.
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How long should I speak? Aim for 30â60 seconds with structured reasoning.
â¶ïž Your next step
Pick any prompt above, record a 60-second answer, then re-record it using one new C marker and one precise verb. That daily upgrade habit is how you move from B to C.