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French interview dialogue: explain a skill you are still learning

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Practise a sixteen-line French interview that names a beginner skill, gives a real task example and explains what the candidate is still learning.

In short

Combine Je sais… with a concrete example, then Je ne maîtrise pas encore… for the limit. Add the training you are actually doing: Je suis un cours du soir. This lets you present useful beginner skills while keeping completed experience and future learning distinct.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

Participants learning computer and office skills in a classroom.
A computer and office-skills workshop at Bougelabs in Ouidah, Benin. Resized and converted to WebP. Saliousoft · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

The recruiter asks about spreadsheets. The candidate can create a simple table and calculate a total, but has not used advanced formulas at work. Her association example shows a real beginner task. Her planned lesson describes what comes next, rather than pretending that she already has the later skill.

Your lines are hidden in practice mode. Say them aloud, then reveal to compare.
  1. Recruteuse

    Vous savez utiliser un tableur ?

    English

    Can you use a spreadsheet?

  2. Candidate

    Oui, je sais créer un tableau simple.

    Yes, I can create a simple table.

    English

    Yes, I can create a simple table.

  3. Recruteuse

    Vous pouvez me donner un exemple ?

    English

    Can you give me an example?

  4. Candidate

    Dans mon association, je note les inscriptions aux ateliers.

    At my association, I record workshop registrations.

    English

    At my association, I record workshop registrations.

  5. Recruteuse

    Vous faites aussi les calculs ?

    English

    Do you also do calculations?

  6. Candidate

    Je sais calculer un total, mais je ne maîtrise pas encore les formules complexes.

    I can calculate a total, but I haven’t mastered complex formulas yet.

    English

    I can calculate a total, but I haven’t mastered complex formulas yet.

  7. Recruteuse

    Comment faites-vous quand une formule pose problème ?

    English

    What do you do when a formula causes a problem?

  8. Candidate

    Je cherche un exemple et je demande de l’aide si nécessaire.

    I look for an example and ask for help if needed.

    English

    I look for an example and ask for help if needed.

  9. Recruteuse

    Vous suivez une formation ?

    English

    Are you taking a course?

  10. Candidate

    Oui, je suis un cours du soir depuis septembre.

    Yes, I’ve been taking an evening class since September.

    English

    Yes, I’ve been taking an evening class since September.

  11. Recruteuse

    Qu’allez-vous apprendre ensuite ?

    English

    What are you going to learn next?

  12. Candidate

    Le mois prochain, nous apprendrons à utiliser des formules plus avancées.

    Next month, we’ll learn to use more advanced formulas.

    English

    Next month, we’ll learn to use more advanced formulas.

  13. Recruteuse

    Avez-vous déjà utilisé ces formules au travail ?

    English

    Have you already used those formulas at work?

  14. Candidate

    Non, pas encore. Pour le moment, je m’exerce en cours.

    No, not yet. For now, I practise in class.

    English

    No, not yet. For now, I practise in class.

  15. Recruteuse

    Merci, votre exemple est clair.

    English

    Thank you, your example is clear.

  16. Candidate

    Merci. Je peux vous expliquer comment j’ai préparé le tableau des inscriptions.

    Thank you. I can explain how I prepared the registration table.

    English

    Thank you. I can explain how I prepared the registration table.

Make the skill concrete

Je sais créer un tableau simple names a bounded ability. Je note les inscriptions aux ateliers then gives a task where she uses it. These details are more informative than a broad claim such as Je maîtrise parfaitement l’informatique. When discussing your own experience, choose a task you have done and explain your part in it.

Pas encore identifies a current limit

Je ne maîtrise pas encore les formules complexes says the skill is still developing. Encore with the negative gives “not yet”. The candidate also explains her response to difficulty: finding an example and asking for help. She does not claim that this method means she can already perform every spreadsheet task independently.

Three time frames in the interview
FunctionFrench
Current abilityJe sais créer un tableau simple.
Current learningJe suis un cours du soir depuis septembre.
Next learning stepNous apprendrons à utiliser des formules plus avancées.
Question 1No account needed
Which task does the candidate actually describe doing?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Recording workshop registrations. She says je note les inscriptions aux ateliers.

Question 2No account needed
What remains a learning goal?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Using more advanced formulas. The advanced formulas are scheduled for next month.

Question 3No account needed
How does she answer the question about using those formulas at work?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

She says not yet and explains that she practises in class.. Non, pas encore keeps the experience claim accurate.

Practise with a skill from your own life. Name one action you can do, one situation where you used it, one current limit and one next step. Keep each part short enough that the interviewer can ask a useful follow-up question.

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