TCF Speaking Production (Expression Orale)

Usually, speaking is the scariest part of a language exam especially if you’re taking the TCF exam and have to speak French fluently and with a clear accent. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the TCF Speaking Production (Expression Orale) section and give you a clear look at what it’s like, common mistakes, and tips and strategies to help you pass the exam. 

Overview of The TCF Speaking Production 

The speaking section is a one‑on‑one interview with an examiner. It lasts about 10–12 minutes (12 minutes for TCF Canada) and is recorded so it can be marked twice, once during the exam and again by experts at France Éducation internationale.

You’ll complete three tasks that get progressively harder, starting with basic interaction and moving toward more advanced argumentation. Your performance is assessed on the CEFR scale, from A1 up to C2.

What the examiners look for:

• How fluent and spontaneous you are
• Your pronunciation and intonation
• The range and accuracy of your vocabulary
• Correct use of grammar
• How well you organize ideas and interact naturally

Structure of The TCF Speaking Production 

The TCF Canada Oral Expression (Expression Orale) is a short, face‑to‑face interview with one examiner. In some test centers, it may be done by video, but the format stays the same. 

In the TCF speaking exam, you’ll go through three tasks, each one more challenging than the last. The entire section lasts 12 minutes total, and this includes any preparation time you’re given. 

Task 1: Entretien dirigé (Directed Interview) – 2-3 minutes

As we mentioned, this is a one-on-one interview, and it’s like you’re having a conversation in French. Therefore, you won’t have any preparation time for this part. 

• Goal: Show that you can speak clearly and simply about your personal life.
• Duration: 2 minutes
• Preparation time: None

In this section, the examiner will ask you to introduce yourself and talk about everyday topics.

Typical themes include:

• Family
• Work or studies
• Hobbies and daily routine
• Your reasons for learning French or taking the TCF

TCF Speaking Task 1 Example Questions:

• Parlez-moi de vous et de votre famille.
• Quelles sont vos activités préférées ?
• Pourquoi passez-vous le TCF ?

Task 2: Exercice en interaction (Role-Play Interaction) – 3-5 Minutes

You’ll have 2 minutes to prepare before this task begins. The examiner will give you an everyday situation and play a role in it; your job is to ask questions and keep the conversation going.

• Goal: Show that you can ask relevant questions and interact naturally in a dialogue.
• Duration: 5 minutes 30 seconds (including the full interaction)
• Preparation time: 2 minutes

Common TCF Speaking Task 2 Scenarios Include:

• Booking a hotel room
• Joining a club or activity
• Asking about a course
• Making a complaint about a service
• Planning an event

Tip: Prepare around 8–10 questions for each scenario so the conversation flows smoothly.

Task 3: Expression d'un point de vue (Expressing an Opinion) – 4-5 Minutes

In this final task, there’s no preparation time. The examiner will ask you a question on a social or abstract topic, and you’ll need to give your opinion, explain the pros and cons, and finish with a clear conclusion.

• Goal: Show that you can build structured, convincing arguments.
• Duration: 4 minutes 30 seconds
• Preparation time: None

Typical Themes Include:

• Environment
• Technology
• Education
• Work–life balance
• Immigration
• Health
• Media

TCF Speaking Task 3 Example Questions:

• Les réseaux sociaux sont-ils plus utiles ou dangereux ?
• Faut-il interdire les voitures en ville ?
• Le télétravail est-il l’avenir du travail ?

Additional Format Notes

• The exam is interactive and conversational throughout: even in Task 3, the examiner may ask follow-up questions briefly if needed.
• No preparation is allowed for Tasks 1 and 3 to test true spontaneity; only Task 2 provides 2 minutes (usually with pen/paper for jotting questions or key points).
• The face-to-face setup (with the examiner as your interlocutor) simulates real-life communication, making natural eye contact, intonation, and responsiveness important.

Assessment Criteria and Grading In TCF Speaking 

The TCF Speaking test is scored using official standards from France Éducation internationale.

Your performance is marked out of 20 points, and this score is then converted into a CEFR level (A1 to C2). For TCF Canada, it also maps to NCLC/CLB levels used for immigration.

How Your Speaking Is Evaluated

Your score is based on three main areas:

Linguistic Skills: This includes your vocabulary, grammar accuracy, fluency, pronunciation, and how smoothly you speak.

Pragmatic Skills: This looks at how well you interact, how clearly you organize your ideas, how coherent your answers are, and whether you develop your points logically.

Sociolinguistic Skills: This checks whether your language fits the situation, choosing the right level of formality and showing awareness of cultural norms.

All three areas are judged together, with a strong focus on natural communication and completing each task properly.

How the Grading Process Works

The entire interview is recorded. First, the examiner gives an initial score. Then a second certified evaluator listens to the recording without knowing the first score. If the two evaluations differ a lot, a third review may be done.

Since October 2024, an AI tool called FIDELIA is used to support the process, but human evaluators always make the final decision. AI never determines your score on its own.

This system ensures your results are fair, consistent, and reliable. Your final CEFR level reflects what you can realistically do in spoken French and is used for immigration, citizenship, or academic purposes.

CEFR Speaking Levels: What Each One Means

• A1: Can describe in simple terms where they live and the people they know.
• A2: Can describe people, living conditions, education, and current or recent work in basic terms.
• B1: Can tell simple stories, explain a project or idea briefly, and express personal reactions.
• B2: Can speak clearly and in detail on many topics, give opinions, and explain advantages and disadvantages.
• C1: Can present complex subjects in a detailed, well‑structured way and reach clear conclusions.
• C2: Can give precise, well‑organized arguments or descriptions that make key ideas easy to follow.

Key Takeaways for Candidates

To reach your target level (often B2 or higher for immigration), focus on:

• Speaking fluently with fewer long pauses
• Using natural, appropriate language for the situation
• Organizing your answers clearly (introduction → development → conclusion)
• Balancing accuracy with spontaneity, perfect grammar isn’t required, but clear communication is

How to Succeed In TCF Speaking Production?

If you want a strong score on the TCF speaking section, there are common mistakes to avoid and key tips you should definitely follow.

Common Mistakes to Avoid 

First, let’s start with the most common pitfall that many students mistakenly think is correct:

1. Sounding too Formal or Too Academic 

This is a real and common issue. Many students, especially those from structured learning environments, use overly sophisticated vocabulary, complex sentences, or bookish expressions that sound unnatural in conversation.

The TCF evaluates natural, spontaneous communication. Examiners want to hear everyday French that flows like a real dialogue, not a written essay or lecture.

If you don’t know how to fix this problem and need someone to remind you to use casual words and not sound too academic or formal, you can practice with Mocko.ai.

With Mocko, you’ll get personalized feedbacks that correct your speaking and gives you tips to get better scores. So make sure to check it out! 

2. Long Pause, Hesitations, and Freezing Up 

Nerves cause many candidates to stop mid-sentence, search for words too long, or go blank (especially in Task 3).

Fluidity and spontaneity are two of the most important criteria in the TCF Speaking exam. Long silences extremely lower your score, even if your French is accurate. 

If you’re stuck, paraphrase or say "Je ne sais pas exactement, mais je pense que..." and keep going. 

To get fluent in speaking French, you should try to speak non-stop for 4-5 minutes on any topic. Again, use platforms like Mocko to speak daily and get accurate feedback. 

3. Not Structuring Answers Properly

Another one of the common mistakes that students make is jumping straight into arguments without an introduction, a pros/cons balance, or a conclusion, especially in Task 3.  

Examiners look for an organized, convincing speech. So make sure to take your time and follow the steps correctly. 

4. Over-Memorizing Responses

Some students think that if they memorize answers, they’ll get a top score, but they’re wrong. The examiner is there to test you, and they can 100% distinguish that you’re repeating memorized sentences. As a result, students will lose points. 

Therefore, make sure to learn flexible templates and vocabulary themes, not word-for-word answers.

Now, let's move on and see how to get a high score in TCF speaking production: 

Tips to Get a High Score 

While practicing every day and using connectors is important, there are also some less common advanced tips you can learn to get a better score. These tips come from successful test‑takers (especially those who took TCF Canada) and expert preparation resources.

1. Use Fillers Instead of Silence

Avoid English-style "umms" or long pauses. Buy time naturally with phrases like "C'est une question intéressante...", "Alors, laissez-moi réfléchir...", or "En fait...". This maintains fluency and shows spontaneity. Examiners prioritize continuous speech over perfection.

2. Learn French Liaisons

French liaisons are the little links between words, and they matter a lot for pronunciation. You need to know:

• Mandatory liaisons (you must link, e.g. les amis → lay‑zami)
• Optional liaisons (you can link for a smoother style)
• Forbidden liaisons (you should never link)

Getting these right makes your speech sound more natural and fluent. Many test‑takers say it’s a big advantage for scoring higher, because it helps you sound closer to a native speaker.

3. Shadow Native Speakers

Listen to French podcasts, news (like RFI or France Inter), or debates, and repeat right after the speaker. This “shadowing” technique helps you pick up natural rhythm, reduce accent issues, and prepare for longer monologues in Task 3.

4. Prepare Question Banks for Task 2

Group common role‑play situations (hotel booking, job inquiry, making a complaint, etc.) and write 10–15 questions for each. Practice linking them together so the dialogue feels like a real conversation instead of a stiff Q&A.

5. Record and Review Your Practice

Do full 12‑minute mock exams, record them, and then transcribe what you said. Look for grammar mistakes, repeated vocabulary, or flat intonation. Compare with model answers and use tools to spot errors; this shows you where you need to improve.

6. Add Personal Examples in Task 3

When giving opinions, always explain with reasons (parce que…) or examples from your own life (Par exemple, dans mon pays…). This makes your answers richer and more varied, and shows advanced thinking, a key step toward C1 level.

7. Practice Daily With an Authorized Source

As mentioned earlier, daily practice and regular feedback are the keys to scoring well in the speaking section. Try practicing with platforms like Mocko, which provide accurate, instant feedback along with practical tips to help you improve.

Here’s why Mocko is the best platform for practicing for the TCF speaking section:

So make sure to check out Mocko and guarantee your top score in TCF!

Conclusion

Mastering the TCF Speaking Production (Expression Orale) section becomes much easier when you practice regularly, focus on speaking naturally, and use clear strategies for each task. Whether you need the score for Canadian immigration or simply want to show your level of French, remember that examiners look for spontaneous, well‑organized speech, not perfect grammar.

Try to avoid long pauses or language that sounds too formal. Using simple fillers can help your speech flow more smoothly. Daily practice also makes a big difference, especially if you use tools like Mocko.ai for targeted feedback.

Stay steady, speak clearly, and show that you can express your ideas in French in a natural way. With consistent preparation, you’ll walk into the exam ready to reach the score you’re aiming for.

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