TCF Canada writing · task 3
Surveillance cameras in schools: the task 3 topic, and how to handle it
What it really asks, a plan, the vocabulary and the pitfalls, explained in English. No model answer to copy: you write the text yourself.
At a glance
The prompt, as candidates report it (in French, as on the exam)
Caméras de surveillance à l’école : pour ou contre ?
Document 1. À l’école où je travaille à Montréal, les caméras de surveillance sont largement présentes. Leur objectif est de dissuader les élèves de commettre des actes de violence. Les enseignants, les parents et la majorité des élèves les accueillent favorablement, car cela renforce la sécurité des enfants et crée un environnement propice à l’enseignement. Cependant, certains élèves expriment des préoccupations quant à leur vie privée.
Document 2. Je m’oppose à l’installation des caméras de surveillance dans nos écoles à Montréal. Les résultats obtenus dans d’autres pays utilisant ce système ne sont pas convaincants. Les individus mal intentionnés peuvent facilement contourner ces caméras très visibles. Pour résoudre les problèmes de discipline à l’école, il est préférable d’améliorer la communication entre enseignants, administration et élèves, et de faire respecter les règles scolaires par tous, plutôt que de dépendre des caméras.
Translation
Surveillance cameras at school: for or against?
Document 1. At the school where I work in Montreal, surveillance cameras are widespread. Their aim is to deter students from committing acts of violence. Teachers, parents and most students welcome them, because they make children safer and create an environment conducive to teaching. However, some students have concerns about their privacy.
Document 2. I am opposed to installing surveillance cameras in our schools in Montreal. The results obtained in other countries using this system are not convincing. People with bad intentions can easily get around these highly visible cameras. To solve discipline problems at school, it is better to improve communication between teachers, administration and students, and to make everyone respect the school rules, rather than rely on cameras.
Word counts: France Éducation international, the body that designs the TCF Canada. Reports: a public archive of topics reported by candidates since 2023, explained in the study of 642 topics.
What the prompt really asks
- Present the first document: cameras to deter violence, welcomed by most people, but which worry some students about their privacy.
- Present the second: no proven effectiveness, cameras that are easy to get around, and another solution, dialogue and respect for the rules.
- Take a position on schools, not on surveillance in general.
- Back your opinion with an argument of your own: the students’ age, trust, which areas are filmed.
Who you are writing to. The prompt names no addressee: an argued text in a neutral tone, without « tu ». « À mon avis » or « pour ma part » make your position clear.
A plan in six steps
About 155 words, for a range of 120 to 180. The numbers for each step are guides; the word range itself is part of the instructions, and every point asked for must be covered. Suggested split: about 40 to 60 words to present the two documents, 80 to 120 for your opinion.
- Document 1. Deterrence, the positive reception, the students’ concerns. about 30 words
- Document 2. Effectiveness questioned, and the alternative offered. about 30 words
- Your position. For, against, or for in certain places. about 15 words
- Your argument. One argument and one concrete example. about 35 words
- The concession. What the other side gets right. about 30 words
- Conclude. What you would suggest to the school’s management. about 15 words
Vocabulary for this topic
B1 to B2 words and phrases to use in your text, not to pile up.
- une caméra de surveillancea surveillance camera
- la vidéosurveillancevideo surveillance, CCTV
- dissuader quelqu’un de + infinitifto deter someone from
- un acte de violencean act of violence
- la sécurité des élèvesstudent safety
- porter atteinte à la vie privéeto invade privacy
- se sentir surveilléto feel watched
- un climat de confiancea climate of trust
- contourner un dispositifto get around a system
- faire respecter le règlementto enforce the rules
- l’établissement scolairethe school
- la préventionprevention
- une solution de facilitéan easy way out
Three pitfalls on this topic
Verb constructions
« dissuader quelqu’un de faire », « s’opposer à quelque chose », « porter atteinte à ». These verbs come with their preposition: learn them together.
Making the first document unanimous
It does not say everyone agrees: « la majorité » of students, and some are worried about their privacy. Leaving out this reservation distorts the document.
Going off topic
The debate is about cameras in schools. An opinion on surveillance in the streets or online, however valid, does not answer the question asked.
B2-level sentences to inspire you
Two or three sentences, not a full answer: borrow the idea, not the words, and write the rest yourself.
- Selon le premier document, les caméras installées dans une école de Montréal visent à dissuader les élèves de commettre des actes de violence, même si certains s’inquiètent pour leur vie privée.According to the first document, the cameras installed in a Montreal school are meant to deter students from committing acts of violence, even though some worry about their privacy.
- L’auteur du second texte doute de leur efficacité et préfère miser sur le dialogue entre les enseignants, la direction et les élèves.The author of the second text doubts they work and would rather rely on dialogue between teachers, administration and students.
- Pour ma part, j’accepterais des caméras à l’entrée de l’établissement, mais certainement pas dans les salles de classe.For my part, I would accept cameras at the school entrance, but certainly not in the classrooms.
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