2 Using knowledge of the topic and context
In this section, you will meet Peggy. When you hear someone presenting themselves for the first time, you already have certain ideas about the kind of information they are likely to give. The first activity in this course will focus on how relying on your prior knowledge can help your listening comprehension.
Activity 1
Think about the kind of information you might give when presenting yourself. Make a list of five or six areas of your life that you might mention.
Discussion
Responses to this question might vary, but it is likely that you might have included several of the following topics:
- Your given name and family name
- Your age
- Where you live
- Where you were born or brought up
- Who you live with
- Your family
- Your professional activity
- Your previous professional activities
- Your studies
- Your leisure activities
- Your character (as seen by others and yourself)
- What makes you happy in life
Activity 2
Now think of between two and five French expressions or words that you might hear from someone giving information about the topics from the answer to Activity 1.
- Your given name and family name
- Your age
- Where you live
- Where you were born or brought up
- Who you live with
- Your family
- Your professional activity
- Your previous professional activities
- Your studies
- Your leisure activities
- Your character (as seen by others and yourself)
- What makes you happy in life
Discussion
Responses to this question might vary, but it is likely that you might have included several of the following expressions or words:
Your given name and family name: je m’appelle… ; je suis… ; moi, c’est…
Your age: j’ai …ans ; âgé de… ans
Where you live: j’habite ; je vis
Where you were born or brought up: je suis né ; je suis … d’origine ; originaire de ; je viens de
Who you live with: je vis avec ; mari ; femme ; copain/copine ; partenaire
Your family: enfants ; fils ; fille(s) ; frère(s) ; soeur(s) ; parents ; famille
Your professional activity: je travaille comme ; je suis ; employé/emploi ; activité ; responsable
Your previous professional activities: j’ai travaillé ; j’ai été
Your studies: université ; faculté ; étudier/études ; diplôme
Your leisure activities: temps libre ; loisirs ; j’aime ; je joue ; je fais
Your character (as seen by others and yourself): caractère ; personnalité ; je suis ; amis ; autres
What makes you happy in life: heureux ; j’aime