Quebec ESL Secondary 5 Exam Overview

Overview of Quebec's Core Secondary 5 Ministry Exam in English as a Second Language (ESL)

• The Ministry of Education in Quebec evaluates students in ESL using two parts: C1 (oral interaction) and C3 (written production).
• Each evaluation accounts for 20% of the overall ESL mark.

C1: Oral Evaluation

• Teachers administer the C1 evaluation in May or June.
• Students receive a preparation booklet with a topic that varies each year.
• Students have 45-60 minutes to read the booklet and prepare their opinions.
• Groups of four students participate in a 15-minute discussion.
• Individual marks are assigned based on:
  • Participation: Maintaining the flow of the discussion.
  • Content: Demonstrating knowledge of the topic from the preparation booklet.
  • Fluency: Speaking naturally and confidently.
  • Accuracy: Expressing ideas with minimal errors.
• The teacher does not intervene in the discussion but students can ask for clarification or change the question.

C3: Written Evaluation

• All students across Quebec write the C3 evaluation on the same day, typically at the beginning of June.
• Students receive two hours to write a 225-word opinion piece.
• The opinion piece follows the five-paragraph essay structure.
• Students turn in their preparation booklet and receive an official student booklet with the evaluation topic.
• Allowed materials include paper dictionaries and grammar books.
• Electronic devices and cheat sheets are prohibited.

C2: Reinvest Understanding of Text

• C2 is not part of the Ministry exam.
• Teachers evaluate C2 based on the material covered throughout the year.

This quiz provides an overview of Quebec's Core Secondary 5 Ministry Exam in English as a Second Language. It focuses on the C1 oral evaluation, detailing the structure, assessment criteria, and expectations for students. Prepare to test your understanding of this important educational evaluation.