DALF speaking guide
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Exam format · CEFR
- speaking tasks
- 2
- section length
- 30 min
- result reported as
- CEFR
Quick answer
At C1 the DALF speaking section is an hour of preparation on a set of documents, then a presentation of about ten minutes and a discussion with the jury, marked out of 25. At C2 speaking is combined with listening in a single oral paper: a report on a recording, a personal position, and a debate, marked out of 50.
What the jury marks
Structure first: a clear plan announced and followed, a position defended with developed arguments, and the ability to hold a debate, concede a point and refine your view. Language range and accuracy count, but a well-argued presentation at natural speed outscores a flawless recital.
How to practise
Rehearse building a ten-minute presentation from two or three texts in under an hour, speaking from notes, then answering pointed questions on it. Recording the whole run and having it evaluated shows the gaps in structure that are invisible from the inside.