How Long Does The TEF Oral Expression Test Last?

It lasts about **15 minutes**: 5 minutes for the *Entretien dirigé* (guided interview) and 10 minutes for the *Exercice en interaction* (role-play or debate).

What Level Do I Need To Pass For Immigration Or University?

Most programs require at least **B2 level**. For Canadian immigration, aiming for **NCLC 7 or higher** is recommended to maximize points.

What Are The Most Common Mistakes Candidates Make In TEF Oral Expression?

The most common mistakes that candidates make are: - Giving one-sentence answers - Speaking too fast or too slow - Long pauses without fillers (*alors, en fait…*) - Ignoring intonation and sounding monotone

What Resources Are Best For Practicing TEF Oral Expression?

Free options include PrepMyTEF on YouTube, TV5Monde, RFI, and podcasts like *InnerFrench*. Paid platforms such as Mocko TEF, or one-to-one tutoring on iTalki/Preply are excellent for realistic simulations.

How to Prepare For The TEF Oral Expression Test?

November 29, 202518 MinutesTEF Exam, TEF

Preparing for the TEF oral expression section can feel scary. Fifteen minutes of speaking French under exam conditions is no small challenge.

But here’s the good news: with the right strategy, you can transform those minutes into a confident performance that shows off your fluency, structure, and personality.

If you want to know how to prepare for the TEF oral expression, this blog is for you. Here, you’ll learn the exam format, scoring, preparation tips, and more!

TEF Oral Expression Test Format and Structure

As you might know, the TEF oral expression test has two parts:

Task	Duration	What You Do	Skills Tested
Entretien dirigé (Guided Interview)	5 minutes	Answer personal/practical questions (about your background, city, hobbies, etc.)	Fluency, vocabulary, grammar
Exercice en interaction (Role-play)	10 minutes	Defend a point of view or negotiate with the examiner	Argumentation, spontaneity,

Think of it as a mix between a job interview and a debate with a friend. In this 15-minute test, your performance is scored on four criteria (100 points total):

Vocabulary & precision: range and accuracy
Grammar & structures: complexity and correctness
Fluency & spontaneity: ability to keep talking naturally
Pronunciation & intonation: clarity and rhythm

Note: Most immigration and university programs require at least B2 level (10/20 or 11/20 minimum on oral).

Now let’s see how you can prepare for the test:

How to Prepare For The TEF Oral Expression Test?

When you’re trying to speak in a new language, consistency is key. Considering that you already know French, here’s how to structure your preparation over 4–8 weeks:

Weeks 1–2: Foundations

Record yourself speaking for 2–3 minutes daily on simple topics (your family, your city, your routine). Then, try to fix the repeated mistakes (verb tenses, gender, prepositions).

Also, learn connectors that make speech flow: À mon avis… (opinion), par conséquent… (consequence), cependant… (opposition).

Weeks 3–4: Task Practice

Prepare answers to 8–10 common questions (Pourquoi apprenez-vous le français ?, Décrivez votre travail). This will make you ready for the first part of the speaking test.

For the second part, choose 15–20 debate topics (environment, technology, education, health). For each, prepare:

3 arguments FOR
3 arguments AGAINST
1 personal example

Also, learn how the TEF speaking test is scored and avoid the common mistakes that lower your score.

Week 5-8: Time to Polish

In the last week before your exam, focus on sharpening your skills and building confidence. To do this,

1. Practice under real conditions: Do 2–3 full mock exams with a teacher, tutor, or study partner. This helps you get used to the timing and pressure.

Also, you can practice with online TEF mock exam platforms. One good example is Mocko.ai, which provides AI speech feedback, role-play stimulations, and more.

2. Listen and compare: Record yourself answering questions, then compare your responses to B2/C1 model answers. Notice where you can improve in fluency, vocabulary, or structure.

3. Prepare reusable sentences: Memorize 2–3 complex sentences you can adapt during the exam.

TEF Oral Expression Test Resources

Here’s a mix of free and paid tools that can help you get ready for the TEF speaking test:

Free:

PrepMyTEF (YouTube mock exams)
TV5Monde “7 jours sur la planète” (news + transcripts)
RFI “Journal en français facile”
Podcasts: Français Authentique, InnerFrench, Coffee Break French

Paid:

Mocko.ai TEF platform (hundreds of mock orals)
GlobalExam TEF platform
PrepMyFuture TEF simulations
One-to-one classes on iTalki/Preply (search “TEF Canada” tutors)

Tips From Real Test Takers

Let’s review some tips from real test takers and use their experience.

A user on Reddit mentioned that after two years of inconsistent study, they were able to reach B2 in oral expression. They explained that the real turning point came from focusing on conversational practice and steadily building vocabulary, which proved more effective than rigid study routines.

Other users on Reddit recommend practicing with sample prompts you can find online, and some point to resources like Prep My Future from Alliance Française as especially helpful.

Others mention the importance of targeted practice: don’t just rely on daily French use, but train specifically for the exam format.

One user shared that their partner, despite speaking French every day, struggled until they learned to balance sounding natural with following the test’s structure.

TEF practicing tips and resources by reddit users

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the TEF oral expression test is all about showing confidence, curiosity, and the ability to think fast. Treat Section A like a friendly interview, and Section B like a mini debate. Overall, here’s a summary of how to prepare for your TEF speaking test: