The essentials in 30 seconds
- Task 1 (2 min): talk about yourself. The only task you can fully prepare in advance.
- Task 2 (5 min 30, incl. 2 min preparation): ask questions to get information. Aim for 10 to 12 varied questions.
- Task 3 (4 min 30): defend a point of view with no preparation. A fixed six-step structure keeps the silence away.
- Record yourself every day: it is the most profitable exercise, and it is free.
Contents
Task 1 — the guided interview: 2 minutes not to waste
The examiner asks about you: background, work, family, hobbies, plans. This is the only task you can prepare word by word — so prepare a flexible introduction, not a recitation.
Model answer — "Parlez-moi de vous."
« Je m'appelle Ibrahim, j'ai 32 ans et je suis technicien en informatique à Abidjan depuis huit ans. Je travaille surtout sur les réseaux d'entreprise, ce qui me plaît beaucoup parce que chaque problème est différent.
En dehors du travail, j'entraîne une équipe de basket de jeunes le samedi. Ça m'apprend la patience !
Mon projet, c'est de m'installer au Canada avec ma femme dans les deux prochaines années. On s'intéresse beaucoup au Nouveau-Brunswick, parce qu'on aimerait vivre dans une région bilingue. »
Task 2 — interaction: you lead the conversation
You get a situation; the examiner plays a role (employee, neighbour, organiser). You must obtain information by asking questions. The trap: asking three questions and then waiting. The examiner will not rescue you.
- Prompt A: You want to enrol in a language school. Ask the secretary for details.
- Prompt B: You are looking for a flatshare. You call the person who posted the ad.
- Prompt C: You want to volunteer at a festival. Ask the organiser about it.
- YouBonjour, j'appelle au sujet de votre annonce de colocation. Est-ce que la chambre est toujours disponible ?
- ExaminerOui, elle est libre à partir du 1er du mois.
- YouTrès bien. Pouvez-vous me dire quel est le loyer, et si le chauffage et Internet sont compris ?
- Examiner850 $, charges comprises. Internet, non.
- YouD'accord. Et si je devais partir au bout de deux mois, est-ce que le bail le permettrait ?
Task 3 — the point of view: 4 min 30 with no net
You are given a social question. With no preparation, you must give your opinion, argue it and illustrate it. This is the task that separates CLB 6 from CLB 8.
- Prompt D: Should coding be taught in primary school?
- Prompt E: Should large cities ban cars from their centre?
- Prompt F: Is it better to spend your whole career in the same company?
- Prompt G: Should volunteering be compulsory for students?
Rephrase15 s
On me demande si… C'est une question qui divise beaucoup.
State a nuanced position15 s
Personnellement, j'y suis plutôt favorable, à certaines conditions.
Argument 1 + example1 min
D'abord… Par exemple, dans mon entourage…
Argument 2 + example1 min
Ensuite, il ne faut pas oublier que…
Concession45 s
Certes, certains diront que… et c'est en partie vrai. Cependant…
Open conclusion30 s
En somme… Et vous, qu'en pensez-vous ? » — ready for the examiner's follow-up.
“Three seconds of silence feel like an eternity. A structure you have rehearsed fills them.”
Practising alone: the 15-minute routine
- 1.Draw a task 3 prompt at random (keep a list of 30).
- 2.Start your phone timer and record yourself for 4 min 30, with no preparation.
- 3.Listen back and note: silences over 3 seconds, repeated words, anglicisms, missing examples.
- 4.Do the same prompt again, fixing those three things.
Rehearse with a real examiner
Private speaking simulations with detailed feedback on the official TCF criteria.
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Frequently asked questions
How long is the TCF Canada speaking test?
12 minutes in total: task 1 (guided interview, 2 min), task 2 (interaction, 5 min 30 including 2 minutes of preparation) and task 3 (point of view, 4 min 30 with no preparation).
Can I learn my answers by heart?
Only the task 1 introduction can be prepared in advance, and it must still sound natural. For tasks 2 and 3, learn structures rather than texts — a recited answer is easy to spot and rarely answers the question.
What if I do not understand the examiner?
Ask politely for a rephrase: « Excusez-moi, pourriez-vous reformuler la question ? ». That is normal communication and is not penalised.
What speaking score do I need for CLB 7?
On the TCF Canada you need 10 out of 20 in speaking for CLB 7, 12 for CLB 8 and 14 for CLB 9.
About the author
Akono Germy
TCF & TEF Canada coach — method and production skills
Coaches Felix Academy candidates for TCF and TEF Canada on exam method, writing and speaking.
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