How to Succeed in the TEF Expression Orale
Duration: 3 Hours
Level: B1 → C1
Lesson objectives
By the end of today’s lesson, you will be able to:
- Understand the complete structure of the TEF Speaking exam.
- Know exactly what happens on exam day.
- Master Section A.
- Master Section B.
- Learn how examiners evaluate your performance.
- Avoid the mistakes that lower your score.
Introduction
Many students think that the TEF Speaking test measures perfect French.
That is not true.
The exam measures your ability to communicate naturally in everyday situations.
The examiner is not expecting perfection.
The examiner wants to know:
- Can you ask questions?
- Can you maintain a conversation?
- Can you defend your opinion?
- Can you react naturally?
Today we will learn exactly how to do that.
Part 1
Understanding the Speaking Exam
The Speaking exam evaluates your ability to communicate orally in French.
It is not a grammar test.
It is not a vocabulary competition.
It is a communication test.
The examiner evaluates how naturally you can interact in French.
Exam structure
TEF Canada
| Section | Duration |
|---|---|
| Section A | 5 minutes |
| Section B | 10 minutes |
Total speaking time:
15 minutes
Important rule
You cannot finish early.
The examiner controls the timing.
Even if you think you have finished,
continue the conversation naturally until the examiner stops you.
Before the Exam
There is no preparation time.
You receive the task during the exam.
You read it.
The examiner checks that you understand it.
Then you begin speaking immediately.
Part 2
Section A
Asking for Information
You see an advertisement.
You telephone the company.
Your goal is to obtain information.
Example situation
You find an advertisement for:
- a hotel
- a language course
- a sports activity
- a holiday package
- a concert
- a cultural event
You call for more information.
Your mission
Ask approximately ten relevant questions.
The examiner plays the employee.
Now
Imagine this is a real phone call.
Do not think about the exam.
Think about what you would genuinely want to know before making a reservation.
What should You ask?
Examples:
Price
Availability
Opening hours
Duration
Equipment
Parking
Transport
Meals
Accommodation
Payment methods
Cancellation policy
Safety
Weather
Activities
Good question Types
Comment… ?
Quand… ?
Pourquoi… ?
Où… ?
Combien… ?
Est-ce que… ?
Pourriez-vous… ?
Important advice
Don’t ask questions whose answers already appear in the advertisement.
Read carefully.
Then ask for missing information.
Be curious
Imagine you are truly interested.
Ask follow-up questions.
Example
Examiner
“It depends.”
Candidate
“Could you explain what it depends on?”
React naturally
Examiner
“We are fully booked.”
Don’t panic.
Respond naturally.
Example
“Do you have availability next weekend?”
Common mistake
Students ask one question after another without listening.
Wrong.
Listen.
React.
Continue the conversation.
Tip
The best conversations feel real.
Not memorized.
Useful expressions
Bonjour Madame.
Je voudrais obtenir quelques renseignements.
Pourriez-vous m’expliquer…
J’aimerais savoir…
Est-ce possible de…
Merci beaucoup.
Grammar review
Question forms
Est-ce que…
Inversion
Question words
Vocabulary to Review
Prices
Dates
Time
Travel
Accommodation
Transport
Reservations
Services
Facilities
Part 3
Section B
Convincing a Friend
Duration
10 minutes
You receive another advertisement.
This time
you talk to a friend.
Your goal
convince your friend.
Example
You discover an online language school.
Your friend wants to learn Spanish.
Convince your friend to join.
Note
This is not a debate.
It is a conversation.
Your friend disagrees.
You persuade politely.
Two Stages
Stage 1
Present the advertisement.
Stage 2
Convince your friend.
Presentation
Do NOT read the advertisement.
Explain it naturally.
Imagine your friend has never seen it.
Example
“I found an interesting website that offers online language courses with native teachers.”
Not
(reading every sentence)
Convincing
The examiner will disagree.
That is normal.
It is part of the exam.
Common objections
“I don’t have time.”
“I don’t like online learning.”
“It’s too expensive.”
“I don’t need it.”
“I prefer traditional classes.”
Your job
Respond calmly.
Give another argument.
Strong argument structure
Opinion
↓
Reason
↓
Example
Example
You should try these classes.
Because they are flexible.
You can study after work.
Weak argument
“It’s good.”
Strong argument
“It is convenient because you can study whenever you have free time.”
Build stronger arguments
Don’t repeat
“It’s good.”
Instead
Price
Flexibility
Convenience
Quality
Professional teachers
Certificates
Career opportunities
Personal growth
Confidence
Travel
Communication
Connect your Ideas
Because
Since
Therefore
However
Moreover
For example
As a result
Use personal Experience
Imagine situations.
Example
“You told me you need English for your new job.”
This makes your argument stronger.
React to Counterarguments
Friend
“I don’t like learning online.”
Good answer
“I understand that, but nowadays online lessons are interactive and you can still speak with your teacher.”
Notice
You first acknowledge.
Then persuade.
Tip
Do not argue aggressively.
You are convincing,
not fighting.
Grammar review
Future tense
Subjunctive
Conditionals
Complex sentences
Vocabulary
Opinions
Advice
Technology
Education
Travel
Health
Work
Daily life
Common mistakes
Section A
- Asking irrelevant questions.
- Ignoring examiner’s answers.
- Speaking only in short sentences.
- Using informal language with a company.
Section B
- Reading the advertisement.
- Giving only one argument.
- Repeating the same idea.
- Speaking too formally to a friend.
- Panicking when the examiner disagrees.
How the Examiner Evaluates You
Criterion 1
Communication
Can you maintain the conversation?
Do you interact naturally?
Are your questions relevant?
Are your arguments convincing?
Criterion 2
Language
Grammar
Vocabulary
Pronunciation
Fluency
Sentence variety
What Examiners Like
- Natural conversations
- Active listening
- Follow-up questions
- Relevant arguments
- Variety of vocabulary
- Clear pronunciation
- Logical organization
- Confidence
What Examiners Do NOT Expect
Perfect grammar
Perfect accent
Native-speaker pronunciation
Perfect vocabulary
They DO Expect
Effective communication.
Daily Speaking Practice
Monday
Practice asking questions about advertisements.
Tuesday
Role-play a phone conversation.
Wednesday
Practice convincing someone.
Thursday
Record yourself speaking for 10 minutes.
Friday
Practice reacting to objections.
Saturday
Complete one full TEF Speaking simulation.
Sunday
Listen to your recording and identify grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary improvements.
Exam Day Strategy
Before Speaking
Read carefully.
Understand the situation.
Imagine it is real.
During Section A
Listen carefully.
Ask relevant questions.
React naturally.
Keep the conversation flowing.
During Section B
Present the advertisement clearly.
Build arguments step by step.
Respond to objections calmly.
Stay friendly.
Continue speaking until the examiner ends the task.
Final Tips
- Speak naturally rather than trying to sound “perfect.”
- Listen carefully before responding.
- Use different question forms and connectors.
- Expand your answers with reasons and examples.
- Don’t memorize entire speeches—the examiner can easily recognize them.
- Keep the conversation alive by reacting to what the examiner says.
- Use vocabulary that you know well and can pronounce confidently.
- Remember that communication is more important than perfection.
Speaking Homework
Section A Practice
You see this advertisement:
“Weekend Cooking Classes in Paris – Learn French Cuisine with Professional Chefs.”
Call the organizer and ask 10–12 relevant questions.
Section B Practice
Your friend wants to improve their French.
You found an advertisement for an online French course.
Speak for 10 minutes, trying to convince your friend to enroll.
Include:
- A clear presentation of the course
- At least 8 different arguments
- Responses to your friend’s objections
- A natural conclusion
Final Advice
During the TEF Speaking exam, imagine you are not in an examination room. Instead, picture yourself making a real phone call or chatting with a close friend. Candidates who focus on communicating naturally, listening carefully, and responding appropriately tend to perform much better than those who try to recite memorized answers. That’s exactly what the exam is designed to assess.
