MockoThe TEF Expression orale is a face-to-face exam with two distinct tasks, and your score depends not just on what you say but on how clearly you organise it. In Section A you phone a service to gather information from an advertisement, and in Section B you argue for or against a position related to that same ad. Both tasks reward candidates who sound purposeful from the first sentence rather than searching for words mid-answer. Learning a reliable answer structure lets you focus your mental energy on content, not on "where do I start?"
What you’ll learn
- Understand exactly what each of the two oral sections requires you to do
- Apply a simple three-part framework to organise any spoken answer
- Open and close both tasks with natural-sounding French phrases
- Avoid the structural errors that cost marks even when your vocabulary is strong
- Build the habit of planning your key points in the short preparation time available
What each section actually asks
Section A gives you a written advertisement (for a job, a property, a service, or a product) and asks you to phone the advertiser to get more details. You are not reading the ad aloud. You are playing the role of a caller who needs specific information. The examiner plays the person answering the phone. You typically aim to ask around ten well-formed questions in about five minutes.
Section B moves from question to argument. You have seen the same ad, but now you must convince a friend (again, the examiner) to take up the offer, or you are asked to argue the other way. You need at least two or three clear reasons, a concrete example, and a recommendation. This part rewards connectors, varied vocabulary, and a clear beginning and end.
One ad, two tasks
- Both sections use the same printed document, so read it carefully at the start.
- Section A: gather information by asking questions (you are the caller).
- Section B: persuade your friend using what you know about the offer.
A structure that works for Section A
The phone task has a natural three-part arc: you open the call, you ask your questions, and you close politely. Many candidates skip the opening and closing, which makes them sound abrupt and costs marks for register and fluency.
- 1Open the call: introduce yourself and state your reason for phoning.
- 2Ask your questions: move through topics logically (price, availability, conditions, location, requirements).
- 3Confirm a key detail and close: thank the person and end the conversation.
Bonjour, madame. Je vous appelle au sujet de votre annonce concernant l'appartement à louer. Auriez-vous quelques minutes pour répondre à mes questions ?
Hello, I am calling about your advertisement for the flat to rent. Would you have a few minutes to answer my questions?
Très bien, je vous remercie pour ces informations. Je vais réfléchir et je vous rappelle dans la journée.
Very good, thank you for the information. I will think it over and call you back during the day.
A structure that works for Section B
For the argumentation task, a three-paragraph mental plan is enough at B1: a position statement, two or three supporting reasons with a brief example each, and a closing recommendation. Practise saying each part out loud so the transitions between them feel automatic on exam day.
- 1State your position clearly in one sentence.
- 2Give your first reason and a short supporting detail.
- 3Give your second reason and another detail or example.
- 4Make a direct recommendation to your friend.
À ta place, je n'hésiterais pas à postuler. D'abord, le salaire proposé est vraiment compétitif pour ce type de poste. Ensuite, le télétravail deux jours par semaine représente un avantage considérable.
In your position, I would not hesitate to apply. First, the salary offered is very competitive for this type of role. Also, working from home two days a week is a significant advantage.
Common structural mistakes
- Starting with "Alors..." and then pausing for several seconds while you think of a point.
- Listing three reasons with no connector between them, so it sounds like a shopping list.
- Forgetting to make a final recommendation, which is the natural conclusion of an advice task.
Register: formal or friendly?
Section A requires the formal register because you are phoning a stranger or a business. Use "vous", avoid slang, and keep your sentences complete. Section B is addressed to a friend, so "tu" is correct and a slightly warmer tone is natural. Mixing the two registers within one section is penalised, so decide at the start of each task which mode you are in.
- Section A (phone, formal): "Je souhaiterais savoir si..." / "Pourriez-vous me préciser...?"
- Section B (friend, informal): "Tu sais, je pense vraiment que..." / "Franchement, tu devrais..."
- Both sections: avoid filler words like "euh... voilà" at the start of every sentence.
The preparation time: use it
You receive a few minutes to read the document before the examiner starts recording or before the interaction begins. Many candidates read the ad passively. Instead, write three to five question topics in the margin for Section A, and jot two reasons you can argue in Section B. That small investment of thirty seconds of note-taking means you walk into the task with a plan.
A : loyer exact ? charges comprises ? étage ? animaux acceptés ? disponible quand ? / B : quartier calme, prix raisonnable, proche transports
A: exact rent? charges included? floor? pets allowed? available when? / B: quiet area, reasonable price, near transport
How to practise this
Structural fluency comes from repetition, not from reading about structure. The best drill is to take any short French advertisement (from a classified site or a magazine) and run through both tasks out loud against a timer: two minutes for Section A, three minutes for Section B.
Daily practice routine
- Find one new French ad each day (property, job, service). They are free to find online.
- Spend 30 seconds writing question topics for Section A and two argument points for Section B.
- Record yourself doing each task and listen back: did you open and close each section? Did your argument have a recommendation at the end?
- Focus first on sounding complete (full sentences) before trying to sound sophisticated.
Key takeaways
- Section A is a phone call: open it, ask logical questions in order, close it politely.
- Section B is an argument to a friend: position, reasons with examples, recommendation.
- Register matters: formal "vous" for Section A, friendly "tu" for Section B.
- Use preparation time actively by jotting question topics and argument points.
- A simple three-part structure delivered confidently always outscores a complex one delivered hesitantly.
