Prepare for a dental clinic job interview in French by mastering key verbs like répondre (to answer), demander (to ask), expliquer (to explain), and discuter (to discuss), focusing on work conditions and motivation.
1. Listening and reading
Start this class by listening to the audio and completing the corresponding exercises.
A2.4.1 Activity
Job interview for a dentist position in France
This dialogue features an experienced dental surgeon applying to a French clinic.
2. Vocabulary (13) Share Copied!
3. Exercises Share Copied!
Exercise 1: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 2: Respond to the Situation
Instruction: Give an appropriate answer based on the situation.
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Exercice 3: Conversation exercise
Instruction:
- D'après votre expérience, que diriez-vous dans cette situation ? (Based on your experience, what would you say in this situation?)
- Comment montrez-vous votre motivation et votre intérêt à aider les patients ? (How do you show motivation and interest in helping patients?)
- Décrivez vos qualifications. (Describe your qualifications.)
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
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Je sais expliquer clairement les traitements. I know how to explain treatments clearly. |
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Je peux créer une atmosphère calme dans la clinique. I can create a calm atmosphere in the clinic. |
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Je suis motivé(e) à offrir aux patients les meilleurs soins. I am motivated to give patients the best care. |
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J'aime établir une relation de confiance avec les patients. I like to build trust with patients. |
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J'ai de l'expérience avec les patients et les traitements dentaires. I have experience with patients and dental treatments. |
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J'ai obtenu mon diplôme en chirurgie dentaire en 2020. I graduated in dentistry in 2020. |
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Exercise 4: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Lors de l'entretien, vous __________ souvent des questions sur les conditions de travail.
(During the interview, you __________ often ask questions about working conditions.)2. Le praticien __________ toujours de répondre avec clarté et professionnalisme.
(The practitioner __________ always strives to respond clearly and professionally.)3. Nous __________ les attentes de la clientèle avant de signer le contrat de travail.
(We __________ study the expectations of clients before signing the employment contract.)4. L’horaire __________ en fonction des besoins de la clinique et des disponibilités du personnel.
(The schedule __________ adapts according to the clinic’s needs and staff availability.)Exercise 5: Interview for a Position at a Dental Clinic
Instruction: Fill the gaps to complete this short story
Key verbs
Répondre - Answer
Présent
- je réponds
- tu réponds
- il/elle répond
- nous répondons
- vous répondez
- ils/elles répondent
Demander - Ask
Passé composé
- j'ai demandé
- tu as demandé
- il/elle a demandé
- nous avons demandé
- vous avez demandé
- ils/elles ont demandé
Expliquer - Explain
Passé composé
- j'ai expliqué
- tu as expliqué
- il/elle a expliqué
- nous avons expliqué
- vous avez expliqué
- ils/elles ont expliqué
Discuter - Discuss
Passé composé
- j'ai discuté
- tu as discuté
- il/elle a discuté
- nous avons discuté
- vous avez discuté
- ils/elles ont discuté
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Lesson Overview: Job Interview at a Dental Clinic
This lesson focuses on practical French language skills needed for a job interview as a dental surgeon or dental assistant in France. It is designed for A2-level learners and covers common interview vocabulary, expressions, and verb conjugations relevant to discussing professional experiences, preferences for working conditions, and motivation.
Key Topics Covered
- Interview Vocabulary: Words and expressions related to job interviews, contracts, work conditions, and professional abilities.
- Verb Tenses: Use of présent and passé composé to describe current actions and past experiences, for example:
- réponds (I answer) – Present tense
- ai demandé (I asked) – Passé composé
- ai expliqué (I explained) – Passé composé
- avons discuté (we discussed) – Passé composé
Example Phrases and Expressions
The lesson includes a short story modeling clear communication during an interview, for example:
"Je réponds toujours aux questions avec clarté lors d'un entretien. Hier, la responsable de la clinique m'a demandé quel type de contrat je préfère."
There are also sample dialogues where you simulate answering questions about your experience and skills, like:
- "Bonjour, pouvez-vous me parler de votre expérience dans le secteur dentaire ?"
- "Oui, j'ai travaillé trois ans en cabinet dentaire, où j'assistais les chirurgiens et gérais le planning des patients."
Verb Practice
The page includes exercises to practice conjugating important verbs in context, including répondre, demander, expliquer, and discuter, which are essential for expressing actions during an interview.
Working Conditions and Motivation
Important vocabulary about work schedules, contracts, remuneration, and collaboration with the team is introduced through dialogues, helping you to ask relevant questions and express your preferences and enthusiasm—for example:
- "Je cherche un contrat à temps plein avec de bonnes conditions de travail."
- "Je suis très intéressé par ce poste, car il correspond à mes compétences et à mes valeurs."
Differences Between English and French Instructions and Useful Phrases
In this lesson, instructions are given in English, but the content and examples are in French to build comprehension. Unlike English, French requires verb conjugations to agree with the subject and tense. For example, "I answer" translates to je réponds where the verb ending changes with the subject. Understanding how to use the passé composé is crucial as it is the common past tense in French, often formed with an auxiliary verb (avoir or être) plus the past participle.
Useful phrases to remember include:
- Je réponds – I answer
- J'ai demandé – I asked (literally: I have asked)
- Je cherche – I am looking for
- Je suis motivé(e) – I am motivated
- Les conditions de travail – Working conditions
- Un contrat à temps plein – A full-time contract