TEF Canada speaking section A: topics to practise aloud

FrenchExaminer · Published 2026-10-30 · 5 min read · AI-drafted, reviewed by a second AI pass, not yet reviewed by a human

TEF Canada oral expression has two tasks over 15 minutes, scored 0-450. Section A is commonly described as the task where you ask questions to obtain information. This guide gives original practice topics, a question-and-answer method and a simple self-check, with no real exam topics reproduced.

How is TEF Canada speaking structured?

According to the official TEF Canada description, the oral expression test has 2 tasks and lasts 15 minutes, and it is scored on a scale of 0-450. Results are valid for two years. The two tasks are commonly called section A and section B.

The table below shows what to take from the structure: the test is short, so both tasks count and neither can be skipped.

Item	TEF Canada oral expression
Number of tasks	2
Total duration	15 minutes
Score scale	0-450
Validity of results	Two years

Our sources do not give the exact timing of each task, so check the current candidate guide of your test centre before you plan timed practice. If you are also weighing TCF Canada, its oral test is built differently, with 3 tasks in 12 minutes; see our page on TEF Canada for the comparison.

What is the aim of section A?

Section A is commonly described as an interaction task: you are given a situation and you ask questions to obtain information, as you would on the phone or at a counter. Confirm the exact wording of the task in your centre's current candidate guide. For practice, treat it as leading a short exchange rather than telling a story.

A useful practice goal is range: a candidate who asks four identical questions shows less flexibility than one who asks about price, time, conditions and alternatives. Aim for clear, polite question forms and react to the answers you hear.

Section B is commonly described as the task where you present and defend a point of view. Keep the two skills separate in your practice: section A trains asking and reacting, section B trains defending a point of view.

What original topics can I practise?

The situations below are invented by us for practice and are not taken from any official test. Each one gives you a role, an aim and a few angles to ask about. Pick one, set a timer, and speak aloud.

A language course: you want to join an evening French course in a new city. Ask about schedule, level placement, class size, materials and cancellation.
A rental flat: you call about a flat advertised online. Ask about the rent, what is included, the lease length, the neighbourhood and the visit.
A gym membership: you are comparing clubs. Ask about opening hours, monthly cost, trial sessions, classes and how to stop the contract.
A community event: you want to volunteer at a neighbourhood festival. Ask about dates, tasks, training, hours and who to contact.
A short trip: you plan a weekend away. Ask about transport, accommodation, prices, activities and the weather.
A bank service: you are new in town and need an account. Ask about the documents, fees, opening time and online access.

Rotate through these over several days rather than repeating one. Variety is what builds the flexibility the task rewards.

How do I structure my questions and answers?

Use a simple order so you never freeze: open politely, ask in a logical sequence, react to each answer, and close. The steps below work for every topic in the list.

Open: greet and state your aim in one sentence, for example « Bonjour, je vous appelle au sujet d'un cours de français. »
Ask open questions first: « Pouvez-vous m'expliquer comment ça fonctionne ? » invites a long answer you can build on.
Then ask precise questions: price, time, place, conditions.
React to what you hear: « D'accord, et si je ne peux pas venir un soir ? » shows you are listening, not reading a list.
Close politely: summarise in one sentence and thank the person.

Vary the form of your questions: inversion (« Pouvez-vous… ? »), « est-ce que », and question words such as quand, combien, comment, où. Use the polite vous throughout, since you are speaking to a stranger in a service situation.

How do I self-check my practice?

Record yourself on your phone, then listen once with a short checklist. The goal is to catch habits, not to judge yourself. Score each line yes or no.

Did I open and close politely?
Did I use at least four different question forms?
Did I react to an answer instead of moving straight to my next question?
Did I keep going without long silences?
Did I use vous consistently?
Did I repeat the same word or structure too often?

Replay the recording and write down the two mistakes you hear most. Fix only those two in the next session. Working on two things at a time is more useful than a long list you will not remember.

For a check from an examiner rather than yourself, our AI speaking test lets you practise the full TCF Canada oral format and see feedback by criterion. Its estimates are not official results, so treat them as a guide to your next practice step.

When should I try a simulated test?

Start with short, untimed drills on single topics. When you can run a whole exchange without stopping, move to timed attempts that respect the 15-minute frame of the TEF Canada oral test. Simulate the conditions: no notes, speak aloud, and do not restart after a mistake.

If you do not yet know your level, take the free instant check first. It needs about 30 seconds of speech or a short text, and you can try the free instant level test to see where to begin.

Then build a regular rhythm rather than long, rare sessions; our weekly routine for TCF Canada practice shows one way to spread speaking, writing and listening across a week, and the same logic applies to TEF Canada. Your NCLC level is what immigration programmes read, so see the NCLC calculator to connect a score to a level.

Questions candidates ask

How many tasks are there in TEF Canada speaking?

According to the official TEF Canada description, the oral expression test has 2 tasks and lasts 15 minutes, scored on a scale of 0-450. These two tasks are usually called section A and section B. Confirm the exact timing of each task in your centre's current candidate guide.

What is the difference between TEF Canada speaking section A and B?

Section A is commonly described as an interaction task where you ask questions to obtain information in a given situation, and section B as presenting and defending a point of view. Confirm the exact wording in your centre's guide, and practise asking questions for A and structured arguments for B.

How many questions should I ask in TEF Canada speaking section A?

Our sources do not give an official number of questions for section A, so no fixed count is stated here. Aim for a varied set that covers several angles of the situation, such as price, time, conditions and alternatives, and check your centre's guide.

What are good TEF Canada speaking tips for beginners?

Open politely, ask open questions before precise ones, react to each answer, and close with a short summary. Use the polite vous throughout, vary your question forms, and record yourself to catch repeated mistakes. Practise aloud on original topics rather than memorising scripts.

How is TCF Canada speaking different from TEF Canada speaking?

According to the official descriptions, TCF Canada oral expression has 3 tasks in 12 minutes, scored 0-20, while TEF Canada oral expression has 2 tasks in 15 minutes, scored 0-450. The formats differ, so prepare for the test you actually book.

Can I practise TEF Canada speaking section A alone at home?

Yes. Choose a situation, set a timer, and play both roles or use a recording of questions. Speak aloud, record yourself, and apply a short checklist. An AI examiner can add feedback by criterion, though its estimates are not official results.

Does the TEF Canada speaking score matter for NCLC?

Yes. The IRCC equivalence table maps the TEF Canada oral score on the 0-450 scale to NCLC levels, for example 310-348 for NCLC 7. Express Entry French categories require NCLC 7 or higher in all four abilities, so speaking counts.