In class tips:

Please never be afraid to participate orally in class.  I will never make fun of you, and will not permit others to do the same.

It is always better for your grade and your development as a speaker to answer in French any question asked of you, than to remain silent.

Listen to questions asked of your classmates and their responses.  You could get the same questions later.

Try to answer questions directly, reusing part of the question in your answer.

If all you can do is get the basic information out, do so.  Then, if you have the presence of mind, go back and elaborate.

Speak as clearly as possible, but at your own pace.
 

Novice-High on the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Scale

"Able to satisfy partially the requirements of basic communicative exchanges by relying heavily on learned utterances but occasionally expanding these through simple recombinations of their elements. Can ask questions or make statementsinvolving learned material. Shows signs of spontaneity although this falls short of real autonomy of expression. Speech continues to consist of learned utterances rather than of personalized, situationally adapted ones. Vocabulary centers on areas such as basic objects, places, and most common kinship terms. Pronunciation may still be strongly influenced byfirst language. Errors are frequent and, in spite of repetition, some Novice-High speakers will have difficulty being understood even by sympathetic interlocutors."

for 122-222, the minumum is Intermediate-Low on the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Scale 

"Able to handle successfully a limited number of interactive, task-oriented, and social situations. Can ask and answer questions, initiate and respond to simple statements, and maintain face-to-face conversation, although in a highly restricted manner and with much linguistic inaccuracy. Within these limitations, can perform such tasks as introducing self, ordering a meal, asking directions, and making purchases. Vocabulary is adequate to express only the most elementary needs. Strong interference from native language may occur. Misunderstandings frequently arise, but with repetition, the Intermediate-Low speaker can generally be understood by sympathetic interlocutors."

While we in English accentuate consonants, the French focus on vowels.

English speaker anticipation of consonants causes us to close our mouths on vowels, splitting or diphthonging vowel sounds.  French syllables generally begin with a consonant or consonant or consonant cluster and end with a vowel. This produces a more "pure" vowel sound.

Silent initial "H" and mute unaccented final "E".  Many final consonants are silent in French. Common exceptions are "b, c, f, k, l, r ". However, there are exceptions to these.

In a some cases a normally silent French consonant links a word following it beginning with a vowel sound (ils ont = they have).

Pronunciation aids connected with Deux Mondes

In the "Interactive CD-ROM", beginning with chapter 1, the section called "Vidéothèque" contains a pronunciation comparison exercise called "bavardons". It also contains an opportunity to see how words sound in context. In the subsection, "à vos écrins", there is a rectangular button labeled "texte", which will allow you to read a transcription of the dialogue,  while the actors are performing it.

In the "audio CD", along with audio related to your Cahier d'exercices, you will also find a complete introduction to basic phonetics and pronunciation, plus exercises.  Note that any reading in your textbook marked with an earphones icon is read aloud on this CD.

Chapter vocbulary is pronounced online.

    Ch. 2 French pronunciation (with realaudio files)
    http://www.frenchtutorial.com/standard/pronunciation/index.php

    French Pronunciation (LanguageGuides)
    http://www.languageguide.org/francais/grammar/pronunciation/index.html

    French Pronunciation Guide
    http://www.askoxford.com/languages/fr/toi_french/pronunciation/

    How to Pronounce French
    http://www.howtopronouncefrench.com/index.php

    How to Pronounce French (Dr. Guillory)
    http://www.gantguillory.com/phonetics/

Oral Evaluation Guidelines

Even though many of the following concerns may not apply to the French oral work you do at this level, here is a whole-cloth list of quality points I use in evaluating student oral work

Are the answers direct?
Does the paragraph stick to the assigned theme?
Is the information reasonably accurate?
Is there a logical and intuitive organisation to the paragraph?
Are the paragraphs in a logical order?
Do the paragraphs bring the subject or argument to a logical colosure?

Discourse level (text type): is it largely

     individual words?
     phrases (learned or authentic)?
     recombinations of learned phrases?
     basic sentences?
     compound sentences?
     complex sentences?
     basic questions?
     prefaced and complex questions?
     paragraphs?
     appropriately linked paragraphs?

Grammatical accuracy

     utterances opaque because of faulty grammar
     faulty grammar increase the chance of being misunderstood
     the few errors do not impede understanding
     grammatically accurate
     grammatical skill and flexibility enhances sense

Vocabulary and usage

     inappropriate vocabulary or usage obscures sense.
     inappropriate vocabulary or usage increase the chance of being misunderstood.
     a few inappropriate or misused words do not impede understanding.
     appropriate vocabulary and usage for sense.
     highly appropriate vocabulary and usage enhance sense.

Pronunciation an rhythm

     poor pronunciation and rhythm obscure the sense.
     poor pronunciation and rhythm may compromise the sense.
     the few pronunciation and rhythm errors will not compromise the sense.
     pronunciation and rhythm are adequate to convey the sense.
     excellent pronunciation and rhythm enhance the sense.