For the first time this year, baccalaureate candidates will take the grand oral test.
Much criticized on the form, it aims to teach students to express themselves "clearly and convincingly", a skill still hidden in the French education system.
Between reform and pandemic, the baccalaureate will be upset again this year.
Covid-19 requires, the continuous assessment will represent at least 82% of the final mark of the exam, the written philosophy test and that of the grand oral corresponding to the remaining 18%.
Much criticized on the form, the latter is supposed to allow candidates to learn to express themselves in public, "in a clear and convincing way", according to Jean-Michel Blanquer.
Unlike most OECD countries, France still does not teach high school students the basics of oral expression.
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In the United States, for example, children learn from kindergarten to be comfortable speaking and choosing their words carefully.
Education still very foreign to the French education system.
For the ministry, this has negative consequences on the success of university studies and professional life.
Blame it on the overly academic culture of France, believes Eric Charbonnier, education analyst at the OECD.
"What is very interesting about this great oral examination is that the French students, but also their parents, were not at all prepared for it. This differs from other European countries which have already changed their system. educational, where we talk about less discipline and more skills. "
Personal reflection and additional knowledge
For this new test, the candidates prepare during the year with their teachers two questions related to their teaching of specialties. The jury selects one. After a period of preparation, the student presents his answer, which must be the result of "personal reflection", according to the ministry. "Speaking is one of the essential skills that students must absolutely master in order to be able to continue their studies with their baccalaureate and be more fulfilled in their profession, once they have left the educational world", underlines Eric Charbonnier.
During this great oral, students will especially have to show that their knowledge goes beyond the framework of their subject. Ultimately, the idea is that the culture of the great oral infuses the entire school career of the students. For two years now, from the third class, a course in eloquence has been planned to prepare for the oral test for the patent.