TCF Canada speaking (expression orale) takes about 12 minutes with an examiner, in 3 tasks: a guided interview about you (2 min, no preparation), an interaction where you ask the examiner questions in an everyday situation (5 min 30, including 2 min of preparation), and a point-of-view task where you answer a question and defend your opinion (4 min 30, no preparation). It's scored out of 20, and 10/20 is NCLC 7.
Key takeaways
- About 12 minutes in total: 2 min + 5 min 30 + 4 min 30.
- Only Task 2 has preparation time (2 minutes, inside its 5 min 30).
- In Task 2 you ask the questions. Don't turn it into a monologue.
- Task 3: opinion, two reasons, an example, a conclusion. Keep talking.
- 10/20 is NCLC 7, and 9/20 is NCLC 6.
On this page
TCF Canada speaking takes about 12 minutes, face to face with an examiner. Task 1 is a guided interview about you (2 min, no prep). Task 2 is an interaction where you ask questions in an everyday situation (5 min 30, including 2 min of prep). Task 3 is giving and defending your point of view (4 min 30, no prep). It's scored out of 20, and 10/20 is NCLC 7.
Twelve minutes sounds short, and it is. That's why a plan for each task matters: there is no time to warm up slowly or search for a structure. Here is how each minute is used, what to say, and how to practise at home. For the other three sections, see the TCF Canada format guide.
- ~12 min
- Total speaking time with the examiner
- 2 min
- The only preparation time (Task 2)
- 10/20
- Minimum speaking score for NCLC 7
How are the 12 minutes organised?
#The TCF Canada speaking test, minute by minute
- 0:00 – 2:00Task 1: guided interviewNo preparation. The examiner asks about you: your life, work, studies, plans. Show you can talk with someone you don't know.
- 2:00 – 4:00Task 2: preparationYou read an everyday situation and have 2 minutes to prepare the questions you'll ask.
- 4:00 – 7:30Task 2: interactionYou ask the examiner questions to get the information you need. The examiner plays the other person.
- 7:30 – 12:00Task 3: expressing a point of viewNo preparation. The examiner gives you a question; you answer with a clear opinion and keep going, spontaneously and convincingly.
| Task | What it tests | Time | Preparation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Entretien dirigé (guided interview) | Talking with someone you don't know | 2 min | None |
| 2. Exercice en interaction (interaction) | Getting information in an everyday situation | 5 min 30 | 2 min, included |
| 3. Expression d'un point de vue | Speaking continuously and convincingly on a question | 4 min 30 | None |
Practise with the real timings. The timer below runs each task, including the 2-minute prep for Task 2, and gives you practice prompts. The full version is on the speaking practice timer page.
TCF Canada · Task 1: Entretien dirigé
Guided interview about you. No preparation.Parlez-moi de vous : d’où venez-vous et que faites-vous dans la vie ?
Practice prompt (not an official exam question).- Je m’appelle… et je viens de…
- Dans la vie, je travaille comme…
- Pendant mon temps libre, j’aime…
- J’apprends le français parce que…
- Mon projet, c’est de…
Task 1: what does the examiner ask in the interview?
#Task 1 is the warm-up. The questions are about you, so there's nothing to research. Aim for answers of three or four sentences, not one-word replies and not a memorised speech.
- « Pouvez-vous vous présenter ? »
- « Qu'est-ce que vous faites dans la vie ? »
- « Pourquoi apprenez-vous le français ? »
- « Parlez-moi de votre ville. »
- « Qu'est-ce que vous aimez faire le week-end ? »
- « Quels sont vos projets pour les prochaines années ? »
Task 2: how do you handle the interaction?
#You get a situation from everyday life, such as joining a sports club, renting a flat or booking a course. The examiner plays the other person. Your job is to ask the questions and get the information. Many candidates lose marks by describing what they want for five minutes instead.
- 1In the 2 minutes of prepList 8–10 question topics: price, times, place, conditions, what's included, how to book, discounts.
- 2Open politelyGreet, say who you are and why you're calling or visiting.
- 3Ask, listen, follow upAsk one question at a time. React to the answer, then ask a follow-up. That's what makes it an interaction.
- 4Close the exchangeSum up what you've learned, thank the examiner, and say what you'll do next.
Situation : Vous voulez vous inscrire dans un club de sport près de chez vous. Vous posez des questions à l'employé(e) sur les activités, les horaires et les prix.
« Bonjour, je viens d'emménager dans le quartier et je voudrais des renseignements sur votre club. Quelles activités est-ce que vous proposez ? … Ah, très bien. Et les cours de natation ont lieu à quelle heure ? Est-ce qu'il y a des cours le soir, après le travail ? … D'accord. Combien coûte l'abonnement mensuel ? Est-ce qu'il y a un tarif réduit pour les couples ? »
Task 3: how do you defend a point of view?
#The examiner chooses a question on a general topic, and you answer it without preparation. You'll be doing most of the talking for the 4 min 30. What they want to hear is a clear position, reasons, examples, and French that keeps flowing.
- Rephrase the question to buy a few seconds: « Vous me demandez si… C'est une question intéressante. »
- Give your opinion straight away: « Personnellement, je pense que… »
- Reason 1 + an example from your life or your country.
- Reason 2 + an example.
- Mention the other side, then answer it: « Certains diront que… mais… »
- Conclude: « Pour toutes ces raisons, je reste convaincu(e) que… »
Sample Task 3 questions to practise with (original, in the style of the exam):
- « Selon vous, faut-il interdire les téléphones portables à l'école ? »
- « Est-il préférable de vivre en ville ou à la campagne ? »
- « Le télétravail est-il une bonne chose pour les salariés ? »
- « Les voyages sont-ils la meilleure façon d'apprendre une langue ? »
- « Faut-il rendre les transports en commun gratuits ? »
Which phrases should you have ready for each task?
#- « Je m'appelle… et je viens de… »
- « Je travaille comme… depuis… ans. »
- « Ce qui me plaît dans mon travail, c'est… »
- « J'apprends le français parce que… »
- « Dans cinq ans, j'aimerais… »
- « Pendant mon temps libre, j'adore… »
- « Bonjour, je voudrais quelques renseignements sur… »
- « Est-ce que vous pourriez me dire… ? »
- « Quels sont les horaires / les tarifs ? »
- « Est-ce que c'est compris dans le prix ? »
- « Et si je veux annuler, comment ça se passe ? »
- « D'accord, donc si je comprends bien… »
- « Merci beaucoup, je vais réfléchir et je vous rappelle. »
- « À mon avis, … / Personnellement, je pense que… »
- « D'abord, … Ensuite, … Enfin, … »
- « Par exemple, dans mon pays… »
- « Il est vrai que… mais… »
- « Certains pensent que… Pourtant… »
- « C'est pourquoi… / Par conséquent… »
- « Pour conclure, je dirais que… »
- « Pardon, pouvez-vous répéter, s'il vous plaît ? »
- « Qu'est-ce que vous voulez dire par… ? »
- « Comment dire… je cherche le mot… »
- « Laissez-moi réfléchir un instant. »
- « Autrement dit, … »
- Myth
The examiner's neutral face means I'm doing badly.
FactExaminers often stay neutral on purpose. It tells you nothing about your score. Keep going.
- Myth
In Task 2, I should explain my situation in detail.
FactTask 2 tests your ability to get information. Most of your turns should be questions, with follow-ups based on the answers.
- Myth
A memorised answer is the safest plan for Task 3.
FactTask 3 checks that you can speak spontaneously on the question you're given. Memorise structures and phrases, not whole speeches.
- Myth
Any mistake costs me the level.
FactLong silences and missing parts of the task usually hurt more than small errors. Keep the conversation moving.
What speaking score do you need?
#Speaking is scored out of 20, and IRCC converts it on its own. 10/20 is NCLC 7, 12 is NCLC 8, 14 is NCLC 9 and 16 is NCLC 10. Anything from 7 to 9 is NCLC 6, which means no French CRS bonus.
Check your practice scores in the TCF Canada score converter. Not sure where your speaking stands yet? The French level self-assessment gives a rough estimate in a few minutes.
Check yourself
1 of 4.Which TCF Canada speaking task gives you preparation time?
2 of 4.How long is Task 3, expressing a point of view?
3 of 4.In Task 2, who asks most of the questions?
4 of 4.You score 10/20 in speaking. What NCLC is that?
Next: the TCF Canada writing tasks guide covers the other /20 skill, and exam day: what to expect walks you through the day itself.
Questions people ask
About 12 minutes: Task 1 is 2 minutes, Task 2 is 5 min 30 including 2 minutes of preparation, and Task 3 is 4 min 30.
Yes. You speak face to face with an examiner, who asks the Task 1 questions, plays the other person in Task 2 and gives you the Task 3 question.
General questions about society and daily life, such as work, technology, cities, travel or education. You give your opinion and defend it with reasons and examples.
Yes. « Pouvez-vous répéter, s'il vous plaît ? » is a normal part of a conversation and much better than staying silent.
Terms in this guide
Each one is defined in plain English in the TEF & TCF Canada glossary.
Sources
Rules and fees change. Always confirm with IRCC and your test centre before you pay.