Understanding performance evaluation and early feedback | Learn French in English

French lesson set in a contemporary Paris everyday setting: In a job interview, a candidate asks how performance is evaluated and how early expectations and feedback are communicated..

EN → FR / Level: B2

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Use Understanding performance evaluation and early feedback to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Je voudrais comprendre comment la performance est évaluée ici.

zhuh voo-DRAY kohm-PRAHND-ruh koh-MAHN lah pair-for-MAHNS eh-tay-vah-LWAY ee-SEE I would like to understand how performance is evaluated here.
B

Les évaluations prennent en compte les résultats, la collaboration et la qualité du jugement.

lay zay-vah-loo-ah-SYON prehn ahn KOHNT lay ray-zool-TAH, lah koh-lah-boh-rah-SYON ay lah kah-lee-TAY doo zhoo-ZHMAHN Reviews consider outcomes, collaboration, and the quality of judgment.
A

Cet équilibre est important, car les résultats seuls peuvent être trompeurs.

seh-tay-kee-LEEBR eh-tahn-POHR-TAHN, kar lay ray-zool-TAH seuhl peuv EH-truh trohm-PUHR That balance matters, because output alone can be misleading.
B

Nous essayons d’éviter de récompenser la rapidité quand des décisions créent des problèmes plus tard.

noo-zay-say-YON day-vee-TAY duh ray-kohm-pahn-SAY lah rah-pee-dee-TAY kahn day day-see-ZYON kray day proh-BLEM ploo TAR We try to avoid rewarding speed when decisions create later problems.
A

Comment les attentes sont-elles communiquées quand quelqu’un débute ?

koh-MAHN lay-zah-TAHNT sohn-TELL koh-myoo-nee-KAY kahn kel-KUHN day-BUUT How are expectations communicated when someone first starts?
B

Les responsables fixent des étapes clés, puis les ajustent à mesure que le contexte devient plus clair.

lay ray-spohn-SAHBL feeks day-zay-TAHP KLAY, pwee lay-zah-ZHUST ah muh-ZUR kuh luh kohn-TEKST duh-VYEN ploo KLAIR Managers set milestones, then adjust them as context becomes clearer.
A

Cela semble pratique, à condition de recevoir des retours assez tôt.

suh-LAH sahmbl prah-TEEK, ah kohn-dee-SYON duh ruh-suh-VWAR day ruh-TOOR ah-SAY TOH That sounds practical, as long as feedback arrives early.
B

Les retours sont attendus dès le début et ne sont pas réservés aux évaluations formelles.

lay ruh-TOOR sohn-tah-tahn-DOO day luh day-BOO ay nuh sohn pah ray-zair-VAY ohz ay-vah-loo-ah-SYON for-MELL Early feedback is expected, not reserved for formal reviews.

Word by Word

Je “Je” means “I” and is the subject of “Je voudrais comprendre”. It is placed before the verb in this polite first-person request.
voudrais “voudrais” means “would like” here and expresses a polite wish; it is a form of “vouloir”. The reusable pattern is “Je voudrais” followed by an infinitive, as in “Je voudrais comprendre” when making a polite request.
comprendre “comprendre” means “to understand” and is the infinitive following “Je voudrais”. The pattern “voudrais comprendre” is useful when politely saying that you want to understand something.
comment “comment” introduces the question of how something happens in “comment la performance est évaluée”. It is commonly placed before a clause that explains a method or process.
la “la” is the definite article “the” before the singular noun “performance”. The reusable pattern is “la” followed by a singular feminine noun, as in “la performance”.
performance “performance” means “performance” and is the subject whose evaluation is being discussed. It appears in the noun phrase “la performance” and can be used after a definite article when referring to a specific performance.
est “est” means “is” and is a form of “être” in “est évaluée”. Together with “évaluée”, it states how the performance is evaluated.
évaluée “évaluée” means “evaluated” and comes from “évaluer”; here it describes “la performance” in “la performance est évaluée”. Its form agrees with that feminine singular subject, and the pattern “est évaluée” describes how something is assessed.
ici “ici” means “here” and locates the evaluation in the organization or place being discussed. It commonly appears at the end of a sentence to specify the relevant place or setting.
Les “Les” is the plural definite article “the” at the beginning of “Les évaluations”. It is used before a plural noun when referring to evaluations as a known category.
évaluations “évaluations” means “evaluations” or “reviews” and is the subject of “Les évaluations prennent en compte”. It is used here for the reviews that consider several aspects of performance.
prennent en compte “prennent en compte” means “take into account” or “consider”. In this expression, “prennent” supplies “take”, while “en compte” completes the expression meaning “into account”; the pattern is “prennent en compte” followed by the things being considered.
résultats “résultats” means “results” or “outcomes” and is the first item considered by the reviews. It appears after “prennent en compte” as one of the factors in the list.
collaboration “collaboration” means “collaboration” and is another factor included in the reviews. It appears in the phrase “la collaboration” as a coordinated item alongside the results and the quality of judgment.
et “et” means “and” and links the listed factors in “les résultats, la collaboration et la qualité du jugement”. It is used between the final two items of a list.
qualité “qualité” means “quality” and appears in “la qualité du jugement”. The reusable pattern is “la qualité de” or its contracted form before a noun, when describing the quality of something.
du “du” means “of the” in “la qualité du jugement”; it is the contraction of “de” and “le”. It links “qualité” to the noun that specifies what quality is being discussed.
jugement “jugement” means “judgment” and completes the phrase “la qualité du jugement”. It refers here to the quality of decisions or assessments, and it follows “du” in this noun phrase.
Cet “Cet” means “this” and points to the balance just described in “Cet équilibre”. It is placed before the singular noun “équilibre” to identify a specific balance.
équilibre “équilibre” means “balance” and is the subject of “Cet équilibre est important”. Here it refers to considering several dimensions rather than results alone.
important “important” means “important” and describes the value of “Cet équilibre” in “Cet équilibre est important”. The pattern “être important” is used to say that something matters.
car “car” means “because” and introduces the reason why the balance matters. It commonly connects a statement to an explanatory clause.
seuls “seuls” means “alone” or “by themselves” and modifies “résultats” in “les résultats seuls”. It is the plural form of “seul” and emphasizes that the results considered on their own may not give the full picture.
peuvent “peuvent” means “can” or “may” and is a form of “pouvoir” in “peuvent être trompeurs”. The reusable pattern is “peuvent” followed by an infinitive to describe a possibility or potential effect.
être “être” means “to be” and is the infinitive following “peuvent” in “peuvent être trompeurs”. The pattern “peuvent être” is used to say that something can have a particular quality.
trompeurs “trompeurs” means “misleading” and comes from “trompeur”; here it describes “les résultats seuls” in “peuvent être trompeurs”. Its plural form agrees with “résultats”, and the pattern “être trompeur” describes information that can give a false impression.
Nous “Nous” means “we” and is the subject of “Nous essayons”. It is placed before the verb when the speaker refers to the organization or group collectively.
essayons “essayons” means “try” and is a form of “essayer” in “Nous essayons d’éviter”. The pattern “essayons de” introduces an action that the group is making an effort to avoid or carry out.
d’éviter “d’éviter” means “to avoid” and comes from “éviter”; the “d’” is “de” shortened before the vowel in “éviter”. It follows “essayons” in “Nous essayons d’éviter”, a pattern used to describe an action the speakers try not to do.
de “de” introduces the next infinitive in “d’éviter de récompenser”. Here it connects “éviter” with “récompenser”, following the reusable pattern “éviter de” plus an infinitive.
récompenser “récompenser” means “to reward” and is the infinitive after “éviter de”. Here it takes “la rapidité” as its object, describing the kind of behavior the group avoids rewarding.
rapidité “rapidité” means “speed” and is the object of “récompenser” in “récompenser la rapidité”. It is used here to name the quality that should not be rewarded when it leads to later problems.
quand “quand” means “when” and introduces the situation in which the decisions create problems. It is followed by a clause describing the relevant time or circumstance.
des “des” is the plural indefinite article before “décisions”, meaning “some” or simply marking an unspecified plural noun. The pattern is “des” followed by a plural noun, as in “des décisions”.
décisions “décisions” means “decisions” and is the subject of “créent”. It identifies the decisions that may produce later problems.
créent “créent” means “create” and is a form of “créer”; here “des décisions créent des problèmes”. The pattern places the subject before “créent” and the resulting thing after it.
problèmes “problèmes” means “problems” and is the object of “créent”. In this dialogue, it refers to difficulties that decisions may produce later.
plus “plus” means “later” in the fixed time expression “plus tard”, not “more”. The expression “plus tard” is used to refer to a later point in time.
tard “tard” means “late” or “later” and here forms “plus tard”, meaning “later”. This expression is useful for locating a consequence at a subsequent time.
attentes “attentes” means “expectations” and is the subject of “les attentes sont-elles communiquées”. It refers to what a new person is expected to understand or meet at the beginning.
sont “sont” means “are” and is a form of “être” in the question “sont-elles communiquées”. Together with “communiquées”, it asks how the expectations are communicated.
elles “elles” means “they” and refers to the feminine plural noun “attentes”. In “sont-elles communiquées”, it appears after the verb because the question uses subject–verb inversion.
communiquées “communiquées” means “communicated” and comes from “communiquer”; here it describes “les attentes” in “les attentes sont-elles communiquées”. Its feminine plural form agrees with “attentes”, and the pattern “sont communiquées” describes information being conveyed.
quelqu’un “quelqu’un” means “someone” and is the subject of “débute” in “quand quelqu’un débute”. It is used when the person is not identified or does not need to be named.
débute “débute” means “starts” or “begins” and is a form of “débuter”. In “quand quelqu’un débute”, it refers to the beginning of someone’s work or activity.
responsables “responsables” means “managers” or “people responsible” in this workplace context. It is the subject of “fixent” in “Les responsables fixent des étapes clés”.
fixent “fixent” means “set” and is a form of “fixer”; here the responsible people set milestones. The pattern places the thing being set after the verb, as in “fixent des étapes clés”.
étapes “étapes” means “steps” or “stages” and is part of the phrase “des étapes clés”. In this context, it refers to milestones used to organize expectations and progress.
clés “clés” means “key” or “crucial” and modifies “étapes” in “des étapes clés”. It is the plural form of “clé” and identifies the stages that are especially important.
puis “puis” means “then” and marks the next action after setting the milestones. It is used to sequence actions, as in “fixent ..., puis les ajustent”.
ajustent “ajustent” means “adjust” and is a form of “ajuster”; here it refers to changing the milestones represented by “les”. The reusable pattern is a verb such as “ajustent” followed by the object being changed.
à mesure que “à mesure que” means “as” or “as something develops” and introduces the gradual change in context. In this expression, “à” introduces the idea of progression, “mesure” conveys that progression, and “que” links the following clause; the pattern is “à mesure que” followed by a clause.
le “le” is the definite article “the” before the singular noun “contexte”. The phrase “le contexte” refers to the particular situation in which the milestones are adjusted.
contexte “contexte” means “context” and is the subject of “devient clair”. It refers to the surrounding situation that becomes easier to understand over time.
devient “devient” means “becomes” and is a form of “devenir” in “devient plus clair”. The pattern “devient” followed by an adjective describes a change in condition.
clair “clair” means “clear” and describes “le contexte” in “le contexte devient plus clair”. It is the masculine singular form agreeing with “contexte” and is used after “devient” to describe the resulting state.
Cela “Cela” means “that” or “it” and refers to the approach just described. It is the subject of “Cela semble pratique” when giving an assessment of a previous idea.
semble “semble” means “seems” or “sounds” and is a form of “sembler”. In “Cela semble pratique”, it introduces an evaluation or impression about the preceding approach.
pratique “pratique” means “practical” and describes the approach in “Cela semble pratique”. The pattern “sembler” followed by an adjective is used to express an impression or assessment.
à condition de “à condition de” means “as long as” or “on condition of” and introduces the requirement for the approach to be practical. In this expression, “à” introduces the condition, “condition” names it, and “de” links the following infinitive; the pattern is “à condition de” followed by an infinitive.
recevoir “recevoir” means “to receive” and is the infinitive after “à condition de”. Here it is used with “des retours” in the pattern “recevoir des retours”.
retours “retours” means “feedback” and is the object of “recevoir” in “recevoir des retours”. It refers to comments or responses provided early about someone’s work or progress.
assez “assez” means “enough” in “assez tôt” and indicates that the feedback should arrive sufficiently early. It is placed before the time word it modifies.
tôt “tôt” means “early” and combines with “assez” in “assez tôt”, meaning “early enough”. It describes when the feedback should be received.
dès “dès” means “from” or “as early as” and introduces the starting point in “dès le début”. The pattern “dès” plus a time expression emphasizes that something applies from that point onward.
début “début” means “beginning” and completes the time expression “dès le début”. It identifies the point at which early feedback is already expected.
attendus “attendus” means “expected” and comes from “attendre”; here it describes “les retours” in “Les retours sont attendus”. Its masculine plural form agrees with “retours”, and the pattern “sont attendus” states what is expected.
ne “ne” is the first part of the negation in “ne sont pas réservés”. It works together with “pas” around the verb to say that something is not the case.
pas “pas” is the second part of the negation in “ne sont pas réservés”. The reusable pattern is “ne” before the conjugated verb and “pas” after it.
réservés “réservés” means “reserved” and comes from “réserver”; here it describes “les retours” in “ne sont pas réservés aux évaluations formelles”. Its masculine plural form agrees with “retours”, and the expression says that feedback is not limited to formal reviews.
aux “aux” means “to the” or “for the” in “réservés aux évaluations formelles”; it is the contraction of “à” and “les”. It follows “réservés” to identify the formal reviews to which something might be limited.
formelles “formelles” means “formal” and modifies “évaluations” in “les évaluations formelles”. It is the feminine plural form of “formel” and identifies the official review sessions contrasted with early feedback.

Grammar Points

à mesure que + proposition

À mesure que les étapes clés débutent, les responsables ajustent les décisions.

ah muh-ZUR kuh lay-zay-TAHP KLAY day-BUUT, lay ray-spohn-SAHBL ah-ZHUST lay day-see-ZYON

As the key steps begin, the managers adjust the decisions.

« À mesure que » introduit une évolution progressive et est suivi d’une proposition avec un verbe conjugué.

à condition de + infinitif

Les responsables ajustent les décisions à condition de communiquer les retours.

lay ray-spohn-SAHBL ah-ZHUST lay day-see-ZYON ah kohn-dee-SYON duh koh-myoo-nee-KAY lay ruh-TOOR

The managers adjust the decisions as long as they communicate the feedback.

« À condition de » exprime une condition et est suivi directement d’un verbe à l’infinitif.

French Vocabulary

collaboration noun
koh-lah-boh-rah-SYON collaboration
équilibre noun
ay-kee-LEEBR balance
évaluation noun
ay-vah-loo-ah-SYON review; evaluation évaluations
évaluer verb
ay-vah-LWAY to evaluate évaluée
éviter verb
ay-vee-TAY to avoid
jugement noun
zhoo-ZHMAHN judgment
performance noun
pair-for-MAHNS performance
prendre en compte phrase
PRAHND-ruh ahn KOHNT to take into account
récompenser verb
ray-kohm-pahn-SAY to reward
résultat noun
ray-zool-TAH outcome; result résultats
seul adj
seuhl alone; by itself seuls
trompeur adj
trohm-PUHR misleading trompeurs

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

performance

Show Answerperformance

balance

Show Answeréquilibre

to evaluate

Show Answerévaluée

outcome; result

Show Answerrésultats