DELF Speaking Test (Production Orale): Complete Guide by Level (2026)

The speaking test is often the most stressful part of DELF for many candidates. Unlike reading or listening, you can't go back and change your answer. But with proper preparation, you can walk into the exam room confident and ready.

This guide covers everything you need to know about the DELF speaking test at every level.

At a glance

  • Name of the exam section: production orale
  • Levels covered here: A1, A2, B1, B2
  • Length: 5-7 minutes at A1, up to 20 minutes at B2
  • Marked out of: 25 points, with 5/25 the minimum
  • Format: face-to-face with one or two examiners

Overview: DELF Speaking Test Structure

The speaking test (production orale) is the final part of every DELF exam. You'll have a face-to-face interview with one or two examiners.

Level Total Duration Preparation Time Tasks
A1 5-7 minutes None 3 parts
A2 6-8 minutes 10 minutes 3 parts
B1 15 minutes 10 minutes 3 parts
B2 20 minutes 30 minutes 2 parts

Each level has a specific format and different expectations. The chart below puts the four formats side by side, so you can see how the preparation window grows as the exam gets longer.

Comparison of DELF speaking test length and preparation time at A1, A2, B1 and B2

Let's break them down.

DELF A1 Speaking Test

At A1, the speaking test evaluates your ability to handle very basic interactions.

DELF A1 speaking timeline: ten minutes of preparation for Parts 2 and 3, then three parts of one to two minutes

Format

PartDurationDescription
Part 11 minuteGuided interview about yourself
Part 22 minutesInformation exchange (asking questions)
Part 32 minutesRole-play simulation

10 minutes of preparation is given before you go in, for Parts 2 and 3. Part 1 is unprepared.

Part 1: Guided Interview

The examiner asks simple questions about you. Answer in short, complete sentences.

Common topics:

  • Your name, age, nationality
  • Where you live
  • Your family
  • Your job or studies
  • Your hobbies

The questions are the ones you would expect on a first meeting, and they are always asked in French:

Example questions

Comment vous vous appelez ?

Vous habitez où ?

Qu'est-ce que vous aimez faire ?

Tips:

  • Keep answers simple but complete
  • Use "je" statements confidently
  • Don't worry about complex grammar

Part 2: Information Exchange

You receive cards with words or images. You must ask the examiner questions based on these prompts.

Example prompt: A card showing a movie theater, a clock showing 8pm, tickets

Questions you might ask

Le cinéma est ouvert à quelle heure ?

Combien coûtent les billets ?

Où est le cinéma ?

Tips:

  • Use question words: ou, quand, comment, combien
  • Simple questions are perfect at A1
  • Aim for 3-5 questions

Part 3: Role-play

A simple everyday situation. The examiner gives you a scenario and plays the other person.

Example scenarios:

  • Buying bread at a bakery
  • Ordering at a café
  • Asking for directions

Tips:

  • Use polite forms: bonjour, s'il vous plaît, merci
  • Listen to what the examiner says
  • React naturally to their responses

Common A1 Speaking Topics and Sample Answers

A1 questions stay on your own life, and the examiner will use tu or vous consistently. These five come up in almost every session.

The five questions2–3 sentences each

Comment vous appelez-vous ?

Je m'appelle Marta Silva. Silva, ça s'écrit S-I-L-V-A.

Où habitez-vous ?

J'habite à Lisbonne, au Portugal. C'est une grande ville près de la mer.

Qu'est-ce que vous faites dans la vie ?

Je suis étudiante. J'étudie l'informatique à l'université depuis deux ans.

Quels sont vos loisirs ?

J'aime beaucoup la musique. Je joue de la guitare le week-end avec mes amis. J'aime aussi marcher dans le parc.

Parlez-moi de votre famille.

Ma famille est petite. J'ai un frère et une sœur. Mon frère s'appelle Tiago, il a vingt ans. Ma sœur habite à Porto.

Spelling your surname aloud is part of the first task, so rehearse the alphabet. Two or three sentences is enough at A1: the examiner is checking that you can produce simple present-tense sentences about yourself, not that you can hold a conversation. Answering with a single word is the most common way candidates lose points here.

DELF A2 Speaking Test

At A2, you demonstrate the ability to handle routine tasks and social situations.

DELF A2 speaking timeline: ten minutes of preparation, then three parts of one and a half to four minutes

Format

PartDurationDescription
Part 11.5 minutesGuided interview
Part 22 minutesContinuous monologue
Part 33-4 minutesInteractive role-play

10 minutes preparation time for Parts 2 and 3.

Part 1: Guided Interview

Similar to A1, but with slightly more complex questions.

Topics include:

  • Daily routine
  • Past experiences (simple past)
  • Plans and preferences
  • Descriptions of people and places

Example questions

Qu'est-ce que vous avez fait le week-end dernier ?

Décrivez votre ville.

Quels sont vos projets pour les vacances ?

Part 2: Continuous Monologue

Speak for about 2 minutes on a topic without interruption.

Common topics:

  • Describe your typical day
  • Talk about a recent trip or experience
  • Describe a person important to you
  • Explain your hobbies or interests

Two minutes feels long when nobody interrupts you, so walk in with a shape already in mind:

Structure suggestion:

  1. Introduction (1-2 sentences)
  2. Main details (4-5 sentences)
  3. Personal opinion or conclusion

Part 3: Interactive Role-play

A practical situation requiring negotiation or problem-solving.

Example scenarios:

  • Buying a train ticket and asking about schedules
  • Making a reservation at a restaurant
  • Returning an item at a store
  • Planning an activity with a friend

Tips:

  • Use the preparation time to note key vocabulary
  • React to what the examiner says - don't just recite a script
  • Use connectors: d'abord, ensuite, enfin

Common A2 Speaking Topics and Sample Answers

A2 moves from facts about you to short accounts of things you have done, so the past tense carries most of the marks. The monologue subjects repeat year after year.

Monologue subject6–8 sentences

Parlez-moi de vos dernières vacances.

Talk to me about your last holiday: where you went, who with, and what you did.

L'été dernier, je suis allée en Espagne avec ma sœur. Nous avons passé une semaine à Barcelone. Le matin, on visitait la ville, et l'après-midi on allait à la plage. J'ai beaucoup aimé la Sagrada Família, c'était impressionnant. Le dernier jour, nous avons mangé une paella dans un petit restaurant près du port.

Why it works · the bold verbs alternate passé composé for single events with imparfait for daily routine, which is exactly what A2 is marked on

Four more subjects that recur

Recurring monologue subjectsA2

Décrivez votre journée typique.

Je me lève à sept heures. D'abord, je prends mon petit-déjeuner, puis je vais au travail en bus. Je travaille de neuf heures à dix-sept heures. Le soir, je rentre chez moi et je prépare le dîner. Avant de dormir, je regarde une série ou je lis un peu.

Quel est votre film préféré ? Pourquoi ?

Mon film préféré, c'est Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain. Je l'ai vu pour la première fois il y a trois ans. J'aime beaucoup les couleurs et la musique. L'histoire est simple mais touchante, et Paris est très beau dans ce film.

Parlez de votre ville.

J'habite à Casablanca, une grande ville au bord de l'océan. Il y a beaucoup de circulation et c'est parfois bruyant, mais j'aime l'ambiance. Le week-end, je vais souvent à la Corniche pour me promener. Ce que je préfère, c'est la nourriture : on mange très bien ici.

Qu'est-ce que vous aimez faire le week-end ?

Le samedi, je fais du sport le matin. Après, je retrouve mes amis au café. Le dimanche, c'est plus calme : je reste à la maison et je cuisine pour ma famille.

A2 monologues fail more often for being too short than for grammar mistakes. Prepare one concrete detail for each subject, a name, a place, a time, rather than speaking in generalities.

DELF B1 Speaking Test

At B1, you must express opinions, describe experiences, and explain plans clearly.

DELF B1 speaking timeline: ten minutes of preparation for Part 3, then guided interview, interactive exercise, and a five to seven minute point of view

Format

PartDurationDescription
Part 12-3 minutesGuided interview
Part 23-4 minutesInteractive exercise
Part 35-7 minutesPoint of view expression

10 minutes preparation time before the test begins, for Part 3 only. The whole oral runs about 15 minutes.

Part 1: Guided Interview

Deeper conversation about your life, experiences, and opinions.

Topics include:

  • Work or studies in detail
  • Past experiences and what you learned
  • Future plans and goals
  • Opinions on everyday topics

Example questions

Pourquoi avez-vous choisi ce métier ou ces études ?

Racontez un voyage qui vous a marque.

Quels sont vos projets pour l'avenir ?

Tips:

  • Give developed answers (not just yes/no)
  • Use past tenses correctly
  • Express cause and consequence

Part 2: Interactive Exercise

A role-play or problem-solving situation requiring you to convince, negotiate, or find solutions.

Example scenarios:

  • Convince a friend to join an activity
  • Negotiate a solution to a housing problem
  • Plan an event together
  • Resolve a dispute or misunderstanding

What they evaluate:

  • Ability to express opinions
  • Ability to react to the other person
  • Use of appropriate register (formal/informal)
  • Logical argumentation

Part 3: Expressing a Point of View

You receive a short text on a current topic. After preparation, you:

  1. Summarize the main idea
  2. Express your personal opinion
  3. Discuss with the examiner

Common topics:

  • Technology in daily life
  • Environment and lifestyle
  • Work-life balance
  • Education and learning
  • Social changes

The five minutes divide neatly into three moves, and examiners notice when a candidate has planned them:

Structure:

  1. Summary (30-45 seconds): Present the main idea
  2. Opinion (1.5-2 minutes): Share your view with arguments
  3. Discussion (1-2 minutes): Answer examiner's questions

Tips:

  • Use opinion expressions: je pense que, à mon avis, il me semble que
  • Give concrete examples to support points
  • Be ready to defend or nuance your opinion

Common B1 Speaking Topics and Sample Answers

Part 3 gives you a short text or a statement and asks you to react to it. The subjects rotate around a small set of social themes, and knowing which ones lets you prepare vocabulary in advance rather than hunting for words in the exam.

Technology and screen timeEnvironment and wasteWork and study choicesHealth and foodTravel and tourismCity vs countrysideFamily and generations
Part 3 statement~3 min + débat

Les jeunes passent trop de temps devant les écrans. Qu'en pensez-vous ?

Young people spend too much time in front of screens. What do you think?

Je suis plutôt d'accord avec cette idée, mais je pense qu'il faut nuancer. C'est vrai que beaucoup de jeunes passent des heures sur leur téléphone, et cela peut poser des problèmes : on dort moins bien, on bouge moins, on voit moins ses amis en personne. Par exemple, mon petit frère joue en ligne jusqu'à minuit et il est fatigué le matin.

Cependant, les écrans ne sont pas seulement négatifs. On les utilise aussi pour étudier, pour apprendre des langues, ou pour rester en contact avec sa famille à l'étranger. Moi, j'apprends le français en partie avec des applications.

Donc, à mon avis, le problème n'est pas l'écran lui-même mais l'usage qu'on en fait. Il faudrait apprendre aux jeunes à mieux gérer leur temps plutôt que tout interdire.

Why it works · position, then a concrete example, then the counter-argument, then a conclusion that moves rather than repeats. Reuse that four-beat shape and it fits almost any Part 3 statement

Two more, worked the same way

More Part 3 statementsB1

Faut-il interdire les voitures dans les centres-villes ?

Personnellement, je trouve que c'est une bonne idée, surtout dans les grandes villes. La pollution est un vrai problème et les centres-villes sont souvent bloqués par la circulation. Dans ma ville, on a piétonnisé une rue principale et maintenant il y a plus de cafés et de monde le week-end. Bien sûr, il y a des inconvénients : les personnes âgées ont besoin de leur voiture, et les commerçants ont peur de perdre des clients. Il faudrait donc d'abord améliorer les transports en commun. En conclusion, je suis pour, mais à condition qu'il y ait des alternatives.

Le télétravail est-il une bonne chose ?

Je pense que ça dépend beaucoup des personnes. D'un côté, on gagne du temps de transport et on est plus tranquille pour se concentrer. D'un autre côté, on se sent parfois isolé et c'est difficile de séparer la vie professionnelle et la vie privée. Ma sœur travaille à distance depuis deux ans et elle apprécie la liberté, mais elle voit beaucoup moins ses collègues. Pour moi, la meilleure solution serait un système mixte, avec deux ou trois jours au bureau.

Phrases worth memorising for any subject

FunctionPhrase
Give your positionÀ mon avis... / Personnellement, je pense que... / Je trouve que...
Add an examplePar exemple... / Prenons le cas de... / Je vais vous donner un exemple.
ConcedeC'est vrai que... mais... / Bien sûr, ... cependant...
ContrastD'un côté... d'un autre côté... / En revanche...
ConcludeDonc, pour conclure... / En résumé... / Finalement, je dirais que...

The examiner will push back after your monologue. That is not a sign you answered badly, it is the débat part of the exercise, and holding your position while acknowledging theirs is exactly what earns marks in the interaction criterion.

DELF B2 Speaking Test

At B2, you must argue a position convincingly and engage in sophisticated discussion.

DELF B2 speaking timeline: thirty minutes of preparation, then a monologue and a discussion with the examiner

Format

PartDurationDescription
Part 15-7 minutesMonologue: defend a point of view
Part 210-13 minutesDiscussion with examiner

30 minutes preparation time before the test.

The Document

You receive a short text (usually a newspaper article) presenting two sides of an issue.

Common themes:

  • Social issues (work, family, urban life)
  • Technology and society
  • Environment and sustainability
  • Education reform
  • Cultural debates

Part 1: Monologue (5-7 minutes)

Present your analysis and argue your position.

Structure:

  1. Introduction (30-45 seconds)
    • Introduce the topic
    • State the main question/problem
    • Announce your position
  2. Development (3-3.5 minutes)
    • Present arguments logically
    • Use examples and evidence
    • Address counterarguments
  3. Conclusion (30-45 seconds)
    • Summarize your position
    • Offer perspective or nuance

Key skills evaluated:

  • Clear, organized presentation
  • Relevant, developed arguments
  • Use of complex structures
  • Appropriate vocabulary

Part 2: Discussion (10-13 minutes)

The examiner challenges your position, asks for clarification, and explores the topic deeper.

What to expect:

  • Questions about your arguments
  • Counterarguments you must address
  • Requests for examples or evidence
  • Exploration of nuances

Tips:

  • Stay calm when challenged
  • Acknowledge valid points from the examiner
  • Use nuancing expressions: certes...mais, il est vrai que...cependant
  • Be ready to adjust your position if needed

Common B2 Speaking Topics and Sample Answers

At B2 you are not asked for an opinion out of nowhere. You get a short press document and have to build a position from it. The documents are drawn from a predictable pool of societal debates, which is what makes preparation possible.

AI and employmentSocial media and informationEcology vs growthImmigration and integrationEquality at workEnglish in French lifeConsumption and wasteFuture of universities
Press document30 min prep · 3 min présentation

Faut-il limiter l'usage des réseaux sociaux chez les adolescents ?

Should teenagers' use of social media be restricted? Present the issue the document raises, then defend a position.

Ce document aborde la question de l'encadrement des réseaux sociaux chez les jeunes, un débat qui revient régulièrement depuis que plusieurs pays ont envisagé une interdiction avant quinze ans.

L'auteur souligne surtout les effets sur la santé mentale : comparaison permanente, anxiété, troubles du sommeil. L'argument est sérieux et s'appuie sur des études récentes. Il me semble toutefois que le texte passe rapidement sur un point essentiel, à savoir que ces plateformes sont aussi devenues un espace de socialisation à part entière. Interdire l'accès, c'est aussi couper certains adolescents de leur groupe.

Pour ma part, je considère qu'une interdiction pure et simple serait à la fois inefficace et contre-productive : les jeunes contourneraient la règle, comme ils l'ont toujours fait. Ce qui me paraît plus prometteur, c'est d'agir sur la conception même des applications, en encadrant les mécanismes qui poussent à rester connecté.

En définitive, le problème ne relève pas tant de l'usage que du modèle économique qui le nourrit. C'est là, à mon sens, qu'une régulation aurait le plus d'effet.

Why it works · it reframes the question before answering it, weighs the source's argument before qualifying it, and closes on what actually matters rather than restating the opening

What separates that from a B1 answer

B1 does thisB2 adds this
States an opinionReframes the question before answering it
Gives an exampleWeighs the source's argument, then qualifies it
Uses mais, doncUses toutefois, en revanche, cela étant, il n'en demeure pas moins
Concludes by repeating the positionConcludes by shifting to what actually matters
One more press subjectB2

L'intelligence artificielle va-t-elle détruire des emplois ?

On présente souvent cette question comme une alternative entre destruction et création d'emplois, mais je crois que le véritable enjeu se situe ailleurs. Ce qui change, c'est moins le nombre de postes que leur nature et la vitesse à laquelle les compétences deviennent obsolètes. Il est vrai que certains métiers administratifs sont directement menacés. Cela étant, l'histoire industrielle montre que chaque vague technologique a fini par générer des activités que personne n'avait anticipées. Le problème n'est donc pas la disparition du travail, mais la capacité des systèmes de formation à suivre le rythme.

In the débat, the examiner will deliberately contradict you. Conceding a point you genuinely find reasonable, then explaining why it does not overturn your conclusion, scores higher than defending everything you said. Candidates who treat the discussion as an argument to win tend to lose marks on the interaction criterion.

Evaluation Criteria (All Levels)

Examiners evaluate five main areas. They are the same five at every level; only the standard expected of each rises as you move up.

The five DELF speaking criteria arranged around the 25-point rubric

1. Task Completion (Respect de la consigne)

Did you understand and complete what was asked?

  • Follow instructions correctly
  • Address all parts of the task
  • Stay on topic

2. Sociolinguistic Competence

Is your register appropriate for the situation?

  • Formal vs. informal language
  • Politeness conventions
  • Cultural appropriateness

3. Vocabulary (Lexique)

Is your vocabulary adequate for the topic?

  • Range of vocabulary
  • Precision of word choice
  • Ability to paraphrase when needed

4. Grammar (Morphosyntaxe)

Are your sentences correctly constructed?

  • Appropriate tenses
  • Agreement (gender, number)
  • Sentence structure complexity (varies by level)

5. Pronunciation and Fluency

Can you be understood easily?

  • Clear pronunciation
  • Natural rhythm and intonation
  • Fluency (not necessarily fast, but smooth)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Most lost marks come from a handful of habits rather than from gaps in French. The chart below pairs each one with the fix.

Five common DELF speaking mistakes paired with what to do instead

At All Levels

  1. One-word answers: Always develop your responses
  2. Ignoring the examiner: The test is a conversation, not a monologue
  3. Freezing on mistakes: Self-correct briefly and continue
  4. Speaking too fast: Clarity matters more than speed
  5. Forgetting politeness: Always use appropriate greetings and forms

At Higher Levels (B1-B2)

  1. No structure: Organize your ideas before speaking
  2. No examples: Abstract arguments need concrete support
  3. Ignoring counterarguments: Acknowledge other perspectives
  4. Over-complicating: Clear ideas beat complex-but-confused ones

Preparation Strategies

Speaking preparation splits into three different jobs: getting comfortable producing French at all, keeping it moving when your thoughts outrun your words, and having something ready to say on the topics that keep coming up.

Build Speaking Confidence

  1. Practice out loud daily: Even 5 minutes helps
  2. Record yourself: Listen back to identify weaknesses
  3. Practice with a timer: Get used to speaking for required durations
  4. Simulate the test: Practice with a friend or tutor playing examiner

Improve Fluency

Fluency at the oral is largely a matter of having ready-made French for the moments when your thinking runs ahead of your speech.

1. Learn transition phrases

D'abord, ensuite, enfin

D'un cote... de l'autre

Par exemple, notamment

2. Practice self-correction

Pardon, je voulais dire...

Non, en fait...

3. Have "emergency" phrases

Pouvez-vous répéter ?

Je n'ai pas bien compris la question.

Topic Preparation

For B1-B2, stay informed about current topics:

  • Technology and daily life
  • Environment and sustainability
  • Work and education
  • Social changes and trends

Practice With an AI Examiner

The hardest part of DELF speaking preparation used to be finding someone to play the examiner. SavoirX now runs full mock speaking exams for DELF A2, B1, and B2, with an AI examiner that asks its questions aloud and adapts to your answers.

Each level follows the official exam structure. At A2 and B1 you get the 10-minute preparation window, then move through the guided interview, the monologue, and the interactive role-play (at B1, the monologue is followed by a débat with follow-up questions, as in the real exam). At B2 you get the 30-minute preparation time with a short press document, deliver your présentation, then defend your position in a débat with the examiner. You can also practice any single part on its own instead of sitting the whole exam.

At the end of a session you receive a score on the official 25-point rubric with a CEFR estimate, corrections, and fluency metrics, plus the transcript and audio replay of the whole conversation.

Sit a DELF mock speaking exam

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Day-of-Exam Tips

Before entering:

  • Arrive early to calm nerves
  • Review key vocabulary and phrases
  • Take deep breaths

During the test:

  • Greet the examiner(s) politely
  • Listen carefully to instructions
  • Use your preparation time effectively
  • Make eye contact and speak clearly

If you struggle:

  • Ask for clarification if needed
  • Pause to think - it's better than filling silence with "um"
  • Self-correct smoothly and continue
  • Don't apologize for mistakes - just fix them

Scoring Breakdown

Level Total Points Passing Score
A1 25 points 5/25 minimum
A2 25 points 5/25 minimum
B1 25 points 5/25 minimum
B2 25 points 5/25 minimum

Remember: You need at least 5/25 in speaking (plus 50/100 overall) to pass DELF.

Practice Resources

What is worth practising with shifts as you climb. The lower levels need description and exposure; B1 and B2 need argument.

For All Levels

  • Practice describing pictures and situations
  • Record voice memos on daily topics
  • Watch French videos and summarize what you heard

For B1-B2

  • Read French news articles and practice summarizing opinions
  • Debate topics with study partners
  • Practice timed monologues (5-7 minutes at B2)

Want to practice speaking under real exam conditions? Start with SavoirX and sit a full DELF mock speaking exam with an AI examiner.