Tips to help you pass your oral DELF B1 exam

December 22, 2022

Words: parlez-vous français

Bonjour !

You are learning French and want to obtain a certificate?

French via skype helps you prepare for the DELF B1, guaranteeing you 100% success in the DELF exam.

At level B1, students become independent. Interaction can be maintained while understanding and maintaining a discussion and giving feedback. The student is able to deal with situations that may arise in everyday life. Please note that level B1 is required to obtain the Swiss nationality.

In language tests, the oral test is often deemed to be the most difficult exercise.Here are some explanation and tips to prepare for it.

The oral B1 is composed of three parts, all lasting about fifteen minutes. For the third and last part, you have ten minutes of preparation.

  • Part 1: Guided interview (2 to 3 minutes)
  • Part 2: Exercise in interaction (3 to 4 minutes)
  • Part 3: Expression of a point of view (5 to 7 minutes)

1. Guided interview / l’entretien dirigé

This first exercise in oral production for level B1 DELF is an interview conducted by an examiner. The test lasts two to three minutes, during which you simply have to talk about yourself! The examiner will ask you questions to guide the discussion and put you at ease. Knowledge of the use of present, past and future tenses is checked. The themes are: work, studies, family, hobbies, projects and study of French. You will need to build and develop your answers by giving as much detail as possible.

Sample examiner questions:

  • Pouvez-vous vous présenter ?
  • Parlez-moi de votre famille.
  • Où êtes-vous allé en vacances l’été dernier ?
  • Qu’est-ce que vous faites dans la vie ?
  • Qu’est-ce que vous êtes en train d’étudier ?
  • Que faites-vous pendant votre temps libre ?
  • Quels sont vos projets pour l’année prochaine ?

2. Exercise in interaction / l’exercice en interaction

The interactive exercise lasts three to four minutes.You have to solve a problem and you must propose solutions, negotiate or debate with the examiner.  Pay attention to the language register to use (“you” or “you”) depending on the situation.

You draw two subjects at random and you choose the one you prefer.Choose the subject that is easiest for you. Do not wait for the examiner to ask all the questions. 

Sample examiner exercises:

Vous êtes en France et vous proposez à votre ami français de partir en weekend.Il n’a pas envie de voyager et vous propose de partir avec un autre ami. Vous lui expliquez pourquoi c’est très important pour vous d’y aller avec lui. (L’examinateur joue le rôle de l’ami français.)

Alors que vous vous promenez dans un parc, un chien en liberté se précipite sur vous.Il ne vous mord pas, il veut jouer avec vous. Quand le/la maitre(esse) du chien vient le chercher, vous vous rendez compte que votre manteau est tout sale, couvert de boue. (L’examinateur joue le rôle du maître du chien.)

3. Expressing a point of view / le monologue suivi

The third part of this oral production lasts 5 to 7 minutes with 10 minutes of preparation.In this third part, you draw two subjects and you choose the one you prefer. You will have to present your opinion about it in the form of a personal oral presentation. After your monologue, the examiner may ask a few questions afterwards.

The expression of a point of view must be done by following a certain methodology.

  1. Say hello to the examiner.
  2. Introduce the topic: Summarize the big ideas.
  3. Introduce the document: Use complete sentences to introduce the nature, source, author and year.
  4. Announce your plan: Use connectives and the future simple.
  5. Give your personal opinion with, arguments and counter-arguments.
  6. Make a brief conclusion.
  7. Invite the reviewer to ask you questions.

During preparation, only take notes. Give your point of view with personal examples, but you can also develop some examples from the articles. Finally, consider using linking words to structure your ideas.

Sample examiner exercise:

Commerce de proximité ou grandes surfaces ? Avec la crise et l’augmenation du prix des carburants, les consommateurs s’interrogent de plus en plus sur la réalité des avantages à faire ses courses dans des grandes surfaces. Les grandes surfaces sont-elles synonymes d’économie ? Et vous, qu’en pensez-vous ? Préférez-vous les petits commerces prés de chez vous ou les grandes surfaces ?

French DELF preparation courses via Skype

At French via Skype, we offer a full range of DELF courses, materials and assessments to help you better understand the French language and pass the DELF exam. Our French lessons target key areas such as listening, reading, writing and speaking and work meticulously to ensure that each area meets the required standards at the DELF French exam. At French via Skype, we are pleased to support French students of DELF exam to guarantee their success since 2014.

Don’t hesitate to contact French via Skype if you have any questions or want to sign up for lessons.

À bientôt !

Laure !