What is Best? Communication Skills or… Perfect Grammar?

Last weekend, my reflection was interrrupted and I did not write about the topic that had been on my mind for a few days… Therefore, here I am tonight asking myself this crucial question: What is more important during the oral examination with the Public Service of Canada… showing communication skills or using perfect grammar and syntax?…

For years now, emphasis has been placed on the container rather than on the content… Apparently, if someone was able to demonstrate that they mastered the language regarding complex vocabulary and grammar as well as a syntax similar to the one people use in writing (not in speaking!), it was their ticket to get their required level.

Language schools always talk about the rigor required in order to pass the government’s oral tests! I have read enough of their documents and assessment reports to know what I am talking about!… On the other hand, when I read the criterias that the Public Commission of Canada has established regarding each level, I am not sure that those schools are on track with their so called requirements!

The rigor they refer to should be applied when candidates are tested for a C (which – should I remind you - is still functional, not bilingual)… yet when I read that one of the criterias for that level is “to speak and communicate with easiness in a natural dialect”, I really do wonder… It is not feasible to be rigorous and use native speakers’ natural dialect at the same time! French is my mother tongue and I never speak with the “sacro-saints mots-liens” that are so popular among language schools! And nobody does!

In October, two of my students, Susan and James, did not get their B level… One of their colleagues who has been under’going full-time training in one of those language schools since April 2008 did not get it either… And my new student, Jay, who was tested cold turkey (without any prior training) failed to pass it as well. Four individuals with diverse backgounds, strengths and weaknesses…

Both Susan and James had part-time training with me and they got an A: their feedback reports were identical although they do not express themselves the same way at all… I would say their grammar and syntax are good: not excellent, but acceptable for a B level. James speaks slowly (too slowly indeed…) and hesitates alot (something he also does in English and Cantonese… why would it be different in French?)… Susan speaks more naturally but her tone indicates a lack of self-confidence (which can be interpreted as hesitation)… and, according to me, their pronunciation is very good!

Jay went to French immersion school from grade 7 to grade 10 and, afterwards, he never really used his second language… Consequently he is quite rusted! Last week, when I met with him for the first time, I did assess him (orally and in writing)… Useless to say that both grammar and syntax were all over the place and far from being rigorous! In spite of that, he had enough vocabulary to get his message across and, most importantly, he was speaking with that easiness Susan and James do not have yet!… Actually, based on general belief regarding oral testing, I was very surprised that he had obtained an A!… Although I have to say that his comprehension is very good…

Susan and James’ colleague, after six months of full-time training in a language school could not pass his B level either!… Apparently his assessor told him he was very good with the questions that are part of the drill – because well rehearsed day after day - (responsibilities, tasks, etc.), but he missed the boat when he was taken out of the box!…

If I were asked today who has better chance to get the B level, let’s say in 50 hours of training, I would pick Jay… Why?… simply because he has a fair amount of background exposure to the language, in real life contexts! All he needs is a grammar brush-up and some polish in his speech, other than that, he can easily communicate his thoughts and opinions.

Knowing how to communicate is the keyword here… unfortunately such skills and abilities come after years of practice. Training alone is not enough… of course, it can be achieved! Most civil servants end up getting their B… but it gets much tougher when they have to be tested for a C… Yes grammar and syntax are important yet communication is equally, if not more, important!… And, with my students, I try my very best to develop their communication skills because they will need them! And I think Jay just confirmed what I always believed to be essential…

“Celui qui confesse son ignorance la montre une fois; celui qui essaie de la cacher la montre plusieurs fois.”

Proverbe japonais