Official guidance for the TEF speaking section

With the recent updates to the TEF format, I’ve already covered the upcoming changes to reading and listening that take effect in December. You can find the details at this link.

While studying the new edition of the preparation textbook, I discovered recommendations that also apply to the oral and written parts of the exam. Questions about these topics are often on the minds of test takers, and they have finally received official coverage in preparation materials.

What useful things can you take away from the speaking section?

📌In section A:

🔺Before starting the answers, you must read the story together with the examiner, ask questions to clarify unclear points or ask for an explanation.
🔺Your task is not to ask random questions, but to delve into the information provided by the examiner, revealing the main points of the plot and touching on its various aspects.
🔺The examiner should keep track of time, not you.
🔺The conversation is initiated by the examiner.
🔺Your speech must contain an introduction and conclusion, even if the examiner suggests moving on to the next section.
🔺Use connecting phrases between questions, such as “Si j’ai bien compris”, “J’ai encore une question”.
🔺Avoid frequent use of verbs faire, avoir, être and expressions il y a, c’est, etc.
🔺If you are not familiar with the activities specified in the task, feel free to ask clarifying questions.
🔺According to the textbook, there are no stupid questions, and the examiner is ready to answer any of them, although I remain healthy skepticism regarding this.
🔺You can pretend that you are interested in a question not for yourself, but for a friend, colleague or relative.
🔺And finally, the tutorial (accompanied by a smiling emoticon) states that you should not be nervous, since this is just a game without obligations, whatever that ultimately means.

📌In section B the tips are as follows:

▪️We use similar approaches as in section A: together with the examiner, we read the plot and ask clarifying questions if necessary.
▪️Be prepared not only to argue your position, but also to answer questions from the examiner, who acts as a friend.
▪️It is necessary to state the content of the announcement in your own words; direct reading is not allowed.
▪️When completing the dialogue, do not forget to thank the “friend”.
▪️The conversation with a “friend” is supposed to be informal, however, according to the new rules of the textbook, there is no clear requirement to use only the form “tu”; “vous” is also acceptable. This is a bit strange, don't you think? How often do my friends and I go to you?
▪️Arguments in speech must be related to each other, for example, you can use the phrase “J’ai oublié de te dire que”.
▪️Your French will be assessed, not the originality of your ideas; it’s okay if they seem strange.
▪️For verbs, follow the same guidelines as in section A.
▪️The textbook focuses on the need to present an announcement, and not immediately move on to persuasion.
▪️If you lack information, for example, you don’t know the price and the examiner asks about it, remain calm and indicate that this can be found on the website, etc.
▪️You can base your answers on your own experience.
▪️There are no “bad” arguments, but they must be based on the information provided by the examiner so that the dialogue sounds natural.
▪️If you do not understand something the examiner said, it is better to ask again and clarify.

That's all for now. Overall, I am pleased that such recommendations are finally included in the textbook. Previous editions left much to be desired in terms of advice on the oral portion of the exam and contained many incorrect instructions.

I'll share writing tips later.

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