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TEF Canada speaking practice

TEF Canada speaking test: format, tasks and sample prompts

The speaking test (expression orale) is a 15-minute conversation with an examiner, made of two role plays. Here is how each section works, what to work on, and original prompts you can practise with today.

How the speaking test works

You sit face to face with an examiner, who plays the other person in each role play. Each section starts from a short document, such as an advertisement, a classified ad, a job offer or a leisure activity. You cannot use notes or scrap paper, and the test is recorded so that it can be marked twice.

Section A: get information

5 minutes · about ten questions

You have read an ad and you call to find out more. Your goal is to get as much information as possible: ask about ten varied questions, react to the answers and ask for details when something is unclear.

Section B: convince someone

10 minutes · present and argue

You tell a friend about an ad and try to convince them to take part. Present the document, give arguments and examples, and answer their objections. The examiner plays your friend and will not be easy to convince.

What to work on

Examiners judge how well you communicate, not only how correct your French is. These are the areas that make the difference:

Doing the task
In Section A, enough relevant questions to get the key information. In Section B, a clear presentation of the document and arguments that answer your friend's objections.
Interaction
Opening and closing the conversation naturally, reacting to what the examiner says, rephrasing and asking for clarification.
Register
Formal French (vous) with the person you call in Section A; informal French (tu) with your friend in Section B.
Vocabulary and grammar
Varied, precise words and correct question forms, tenses and agreement. Range counts as well as accuracy.
Fluency and pronunciation
Speaking at a natural pace, without long pauses, so that the examiner understands you easily.

Original practice prompts

We wrote these prompts in the TEF Canada format; they are not real exam subjects. Answer out loud and time yourself: 5 minutes for Section A, 10 minutes for Section B. Ask a friend to play the examiner, or record yourself and listen back.

Section A

A community garden looks for volunteers

JARDIN DES ÉRABLES — Saison du printemps Nous cherchons des bénévoles ! Parcelles individuelles disponibles, ateliers de jardinage le samedi matin, outils fournis.

Cette annonce vous intéresse et vous appelez le jardin pour en savoir plus. Posez une dizaine de questions à la personne responsable, jouée par l'examinateur.

Section A

World cooking classes

CENTRE COMMUNAUTAIRE DU PLATEAU Cours de cuisine du monde : un pays différent chaque semaine. Petits groupes, tous niveaux. Inscriptions ouvertes.

Vous aimeriez suivre ces cours. Vous téléphonez au centre pour obtenir des précisions. Posez une dizaine de questions à votre interlocuteur, joué par l'examinateur.

Section A

Electric bikes to rent by the week

VÉLOVOLT — Location de vélos électriques à la semaine ou au mois. Livraison à domicile possible. Casque offert pour toute location d'un mois.

Vous pensez louer un vélo pour aller au travail. Vous appelez l'entreprise pour vous renseigner. Posez une dizaine de questions à l'employé, joué par l'examinateur.

Section B

A hiking weekend in the mountains

CLUB PLEIN AIR — Week-end de randonnée dans les Laurentides. Transport en autocar, hébergement en refuge, guide expérimenté. Places limitées.

Vous parlez de cette annonce à un ami qui préfère rester en ville le week-end. Présentez-lui l'activité et essayez de le convaincre de vous accompagner. L'examinateur joue le rôle de votre ami.

Section B

An improv theatre workshop in French

THÉÂTRE DU COIN — Atelier d'improvisation en français, le mardi soir. Aucune expérience nécessaire. Spectacle de fin d'année devant le public.

Vous parlez de cet atelier à une amie un peu timide qui dit ne pas avoir le temps. Présentez-lui l'annonce et essayez de la convaincre de s'inscrire avec vous. L'examinateur joue le rôle de votre amie.

Section B

Carpooling to work

COVOIT'BOULOT — La plateforme de covoiturage des employés de votre quartier. Inscription gratuite, trajets partagés, frais divisés entre passagers.

Vous parlez de ce service à un collègue qui prend sa voiture seul tous les jours. Présentez-lui la plateforme et essayez de le convaincre de l'essayer. L'examinateur joue le rôle de votre collègue.

How to practise now

  • Build a bank of question forms (Est-ce que…, Quel est…, Combien…, Est-il possible de…) and vary them from one question to the next.
  • In Section A, start with a greeting and the reason for your call, and end by thanking the person.
  • In Section B, prepare three arguments with an example for each, then think of two objections and how you would answer them.
  • Record yourself, then count your questions and your pauses. Repeat until 5 and 10 minutes feel natural.
  • Do not learn answers by heart: the official rules require original speech, and a recited text is easy to spot.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the TEF Canada speaking test?

15 minutes in total, face to face with an examiner: 5 minutes for Section A (getting information) and 10 minutes for Section B (convincing someone).

What speaking score do I need for NCLC 7?

According to IRCC’s equivalency table, NCLC 7 in TEF Canada speaking starts at 310 out of 450. Most Express Entry candidates aim for NCLC 7 in all four skills.

Should I say tu or vous to the examiner?

Follow the role play: vous with the stranger you call in Section A, and tu with the friend you try to convince in Section B.

When will the speaking simulator be ready?

It is in development and we have no date yet. Join the waitlist on this page and we will email you when it opens. Nothing is charged.

Is this the official TEF Canada?

No. Allez7 is an independent practice resource, not affiliated with CCI Paris Île-de-France or the TEF. The prompts on this page are our own.

Sources

Official IRCC pages, checked on October 8, 2026. IRCC last updated them on June 22, 2026:

Exam formats, from the organisations that run each test:

We are not IRCC and this is not legal advice. IRCC can change its rules at any time: always confirm on IRCC’s website before you submit your profile.