Structuring a persuasive oral reply | TEF Speaking

The TEF Études oral exam tests the same two core abilities as the standard TEF speaking section, but the context is academic: advertisements and situations linked to study programmes, student housing, internships, and campus services appear more often. At B1 level, the key challenge is producing a well-organised spoken response quickly, without the luxury of long preparation. This lesson focuses on a two-part skill: asking relevant, precise questions in Section A, and structuring a persuasive reply in Section B.

What you’ll learn

Apply a quick mental planning technique for both oral sections under time pressure
Organise a Section B argument in three clear moves: position, reasons, recommendation
Use formal question forms appropriate to the academic or administrative context of TEF Études prompts
Recognise the connectors that signal structure in spoken French ("d'abord", "de plus", "en conclusion")
Avoid the most common organisational mistakes that flatten an otherwise decent B1 answer

The TEF Études speaking context

TEF Études is taken by candidates applying to French higher education institutions. The speaking prompts often involve university life: a campus housing ad, a language course offer, a student job posting, or an academic programme announcement. This affects the vocabulary you reach for and the reasons you give in Section B. An argument for a student accommodation offer sounds different from one for a commercial flat.

Common TEF Études speaking topics

Student residences and co-living arrangements
Language training or preparation courses
Part-time student jobs or paid internships
Scholarship or grant opportunities
University associations, clubs, or academic events

Quick planning: thirty seconds that change everything

You have very little preparation time in the oral exam. The candidates who score highest use it actively rather than just reading the document again. The goal is to finish preparation with a short mental outline, not a word-for-word script.

1Read the document once for the overall situation (what is being offered, to whom, for how much).
2For Section A: identify three to five information gaps (price, conditions, dates, required documents, availability).
3For Section B: choose your position (recommend or not), then note two reasons and one example.
4Check you know which register each section needs (formal "vous" for A, informal "tu" for B).

Sample prep notes for a language course ad

A : dates exactes ? nombre d'heures / semaine ? matériel inclus ? attestation de fin de stage ? B : + horaires flexibles, + certification reconnue, ex : utile pour le dossier d'admission
A: exact dates? hours per week? materials included? certificate at the end? B: pro: flexible schedule, recognised certificate, example: useful for the university admission file

Section A question bank for academic contexts

Many Section A questions for TEF Études prompts fall into predictable categories. Having a mental list of go-to question forms for each category means you spend your preparation time identifying what to ask, not how to say it.

Cost: "Quel est le montant exact des frais d'inscription ?" / "Y a-t-il des réductions pour les étudiants boursiers ?"
Dates and schedule: "À partir de quelle date la formation débuterait-elle ?" / "Les cours ont-ils lieu en soirée ou en journée ?"
Conditions: "Quelles sont les pré-requis pour candidater à ce programme ?" / "Faut-il fournir un dossier académique ?"
Certification: "Délivrez-vous une attestation ou un diplôme reconnu à l'issue de la formation ?"
Practical details: "Est-il possible de combiner cette formation avec des cours universitaires ?" / "Comment se déroule la procédure d'inscription ?"

A question using indirect style for extra politeness

Pourriez-vous me préciser si la résidence est réservée aux étudiants inscrits dans un établissement partenaire, ou si elle est ouverte à tous ?
Could you specify whether the residence is reserved for students enrolled at a partner institution, or whether it is open to all?

Section B structure: three moves

A B1 Section B answer does not need to be complex. Three clear moves delivered fluently will outperform a convoluted argument delivered with long pauses. Practise saying each move until the transitions between them feel automatic.

1Position (one sentence): state clearly whether you recommend the offer and why in general terms.
2Reasons (two or three, each with a brief example or detail): use a connector to introduce each one.
3Recommendation (one to two sentences): give your friend a direct call to action.

Full Section B answer for a student housing ad

Je pense vraiment que tu devrais t'y intéresser, parce que cette résidence correspond exactement à ce que tu cherches. D'abord, elle est à cinq minutes à pied du campus, ce qui t'éviterait les transports en commun le matin. De plus, le loyer est tout à fait raisonnable pour Paris, surtout en incluant l'accès à la salle de travail commune. Enfin, il reste quelques places disponibles pour le mois de septembre. Donc, à ta place, je contacte l'administration dès aujourd'hui pour réserver une chambre avant que tout soit complet.
I really think you should look into it, because this residence is exactly what you are looking for. First, it is five minutes from campus on foot, which would save you taking public transport in the morning. Furthermore, the rent is quite reasonable for Paris, especially including access to the shared study room. Finally, a few places are still available for September. So, in your position, I would contact the administration today to reserve a room before everything fills up.

Common B1 mistakes and how to avoid them

Structural errors that cost marks

Starting without a clear position: "Donc euh... je vais vous parler de cette annonce..." is descriptive, not persuasive.
Listing advantages without connectors: "Il y a une salle de sport. Il y a une cuisine. Il y a le wifi." sounds like a brochure, not an argument.
Ending on a description instead of a recommendation: you must tell your friend what to do.
Using the same connector three times in a row: "D'abord... d'abord... d'abord..." shows limited range.

Turning a weak ending into a strong one

Faible : "Voilà, c'est une bonne résidence." / Fort : "Franchement, c'est une excellente opportunité et les délais sont courts. Je te conseille vraiment de te décider rapidement."
Weak: "So, it is a good residence." / Strong: "Honestly, it is an excellent opportunity and the deadlines are short. I really advise you to make a decision quickly."

How to practise this

Focused practice for TEF Études oral

Use authentic French university housing or programme websites (like CROUS or university open days) to find realistic prompts.
Set a 30-second timer for prep, then a 4-minute timer for the full task (both sections).
After recording, listen and ask yourself: Did Section A have at least five distinct questions? Did Section B have a clear position in the first sentence and a direct recommendation at the end?
Practise the three-move structure (position, reasons, recommendation) on a different topic every day until it feels natural, even outside of French practice.

Key takeaways

Use the 30-second prep time to note question gaps for Section A and two arguments for Section B before you speak.
In Section A, move systematically through cost, dates, conditions, certification, and procedure.
In Section B, open with a clear position, develop with two reasons using connectors, close with a direct recommendation.
The three-move structure (position, reasons, recommendation) delivers a complete B1 argument in under three minutes.
Never end Section B descriptively: your last sentence should always tell your friend what to do.