DELF B2 Speaking: How to Prepare

DELF B2 speaking (production orale) is the only individual paper of the exam. After 30 minutes of preparation, you present a point of view and then discuss it with the examiner. Many candidates fear it, yet it is very easy to prepare with a method. Here is how it works, how it is marked and how to score points.

The speaking test at a glance

• Preparation: 30 minutes, alone, with a sheet for notes.
• Test: about 20 minutes in front of the examiners.
• Score: out of 25 points.
• Threshold: at least 5/25, otherwise the mark is eliminatory.
• Date: often a different day from the group papers.

On the day, you draw two short documents and choose one. It is a prompt text: an article, a testimony or an opinion on a social issue.

How does the speaking test work?

The 30 minutes of preparation

You read the document and identify the problem it raises. You then prepare your presentation on a sheet. You may keep your notes, but you must not read them word for word.

The monologue

For about 5 to 7 minutes, you present the topic, the central question and your opinion. You defend it with arguments and examples. The examiner does not interrupt you.

The debate with the examiner

For about 10 to 13 minutes, the examiner asks you questions. They may challenge your position to see how you react. Stay calm: it is an exercise, not an attack.

How is DELF B2 speaking marked?

As in writing, the marking grid has five criteria, each scored 0, 1, 3 or 5.

Criterion	What the examiners listen for
Monologue	A clear, structured point of view supported by examples.
Interaction	Your ability to answer, rephrase, nuance and defend your position.
Vocabulary	Varied and precise vocabulary on the topic.
Grammar	Correct sentences and well-controlled complex structures.
Pronunciation	Clear, natural pronunciation and intonation.

A light accent is not penalised. The examiners mainly want to understand you without effort.

The 6-step method

1. Read the document twice. Identify the topic and the question it raises.
2. Frame the central question. Turn the topic into a real question, for example: « Faut-il limiter le temps d'écran des adolescents ? »
3. Take a position. Choose a clear opinion, even a nuanced one.
4. Build a simple outline. Two or three arguments, each with a personal or current-affairs example.
5. Prepare the introduction and conclusion. These are the moments the examiners remember best.
6. Anticipate objections. Note two counter-arguments and your answer to each.

Only write key words on your sheet. You will speak more naturally and keep eye contact with the examiners.

Using the 30 minutes of preparation well

How you manage your preparation time often makes the difference. A good split prevents you from running out of time for the conclusion.

• 5 minutes: read the document and choose the central question.
• 10 minutes: find arguments and examples.
• 10 minutes: organise the outline and draft the introduction.
• 5 minutes: prepare answers to likely objections.

Write out the first sentence of your introduction in full. It will help you start without stress in front of the examiners.

Sample spoken introduction

Document: an article about the time teenagers spend on screens.

« Le document que j'ai choisi traite de la place des écrans dans la vie des adolescents. Selon l'auteur, les jeunes y passent plus de cinq heures par jour. Cela pose une question : faut-il limiter leur temps d'écran ? À mon avis, une limite est utile, mais elle doit s'accompagner d'une éducation au numérique. Je présenterai d'abord les risques, puis les solutions possibles. »

In one minute, the examiners know the topic, the question, your position and your outline. That is an excellent start.

Sample detailed outline for the monologue

Question: « Faut-il limiter le temps d'écran des adolescents ? » Here is an outline that lasts about 6 minutes.

1. Introduction (1 minute): present the document, the question, your position and the outline.
2. First argument (2 minutes): risks for sleep and concentration. Example: a teenager who uses their phone late at night sleeps less well and concentrates less in class.
3. Second argument (2 minutes): a limit alone is not enough. Young people need to learn to use screens usefully, for example to learn a language or do research.
4. Conclusion (1 minute): restate your position and make a concrete proposal, such as screen-free family time.

This outline is simple, but it shows nuanced thinking. That is what the examiners look for.

Handling the debate with the examiner

The debate is not a trap. The examiner wants to see whether you can defend an idea in a real conversation. A few techniques help you stay in control.

• Rephrase the question to make sure you understood it.
• Ask for clarification if a word escapes you: « Pourriez-vous préciser ce que vous entendez par… ? »
• Nuance without giving up your position: « Je comprends votre point de vue, mais… ».
• Give a concrete example to support each answer.

Sample exchange during the debate

The examiner: « Vous parlez de limiter les écrans, mais les adolescents en ont besoin pour l'école. Votre proposition n'est-elle pas irréaliste ? »

The candidate: « C'est une remarque très juste. Je ne propose pas d'interdire les écrans, car ils sont devenus indispensables pour les devoirs. En revanche, je pense qu'il faut distinguer l'usage scolaire et l'usage de loisir. Par exemple, une famille peut décider qu'après 21 heures, les téléphones restent dans le salon. »

The candidate acknowledges the point, keeps their position, nuances it and gives a concrete example. That is the ideal reaction to an objection.

Useful phrases for the oral

• Announcing the outline: « Dans un premier temps…, puis… ».
• Giving your opinion: « À mon sens… », « Je suis convaincu que… ».
• Nuancing: « Certes…, mais… », « Tout dépend de… ».
• Buying time: « C'est une question intéressante. Si je comprends bien, vous voulez dire que… ».
• Conceding: « Vous avez raison sur ce point, cependant… ».

Grammar structures to use

• Subjunctive after an opinion: « Il faudrait que les parents fixent des règles. »
• Conditional to suggest: « On pourrait organiser des ateliers dans les écoles. »
• Hypothesis: « Si les jeunes passaient moins de temps sur leur téléphone, ils dormiraient mieux. »
• Concession: « Bien que les écrans soient utiles, leur excès pose problème. »

Prepare two or three of these sentences during your preparation time. You will place them naturally in your DELF B2 speaking test.

Frequent topics

Documents deal with social issues. Prepare vocabulary and two examples for each of these topics.

• The environment and responsible consumption.
• Work, remote work and work-life balance.
• Education, school and studying abroad.
• Digital life, social media and artificial intelligence.
• Health, sport and food.

What the examiners really expect

The examiners do not expect a perfect speech. They assess whether you can communicate an opinion clearly and convincingly. A small grammar mistake will not make you fail.

However, they penalise a presentation without structure, a simple summary of the document or very short answers during the debate. Show that you can argue, listen and react. These skills matter more than perfection.

Managing stress on the day

Stress is normal. Breathe slowly before going in and speak a little more slowly than usual. If you lose your thread, look at your outline and restart with a linking phrase such as « Pour revenir à mon idée… ».

Smile and look at the examiners. An open attitude makes the exchange more natural. If a question surprises you, take two seconds to think: a short silence is perfectly acceptable.

Mistakes to avoid in DELF B2 speaking

• Summarising the document instead of giving your opinion.
• Reading your notes without looking at the examiners.
• Speaking too fast because of stress.
• Changing your mind as soon as the examiner disagrees.
• Answering yes or no without developing.

The week before your DELF B2 speaking test

Use the last week to rehearse, not to learn new material. Each day, pick a short article, give yourself 30 minutes of preparation and record a full monologue. Then ask a friend or tutor to play the examiner for ten minutes and challenge your ideas. Listen to your recordings and note one thing to improve each time. This routine makes the real DELF B2 speaking test feel familiar, which is the best cure for stress.

A 4-week training plan

Regular practice matters more than long sessions. Here is a simple plan you can adapt to your schedule.

• Week 1: learn the format, try a full paper without a timer and write down what you find difficult.
• Week 2: work on the method step by step, with two short speaking sessions a day.
• Week 3: practise under real time limits, then review every mistake in a notebook.
• Week 4: take a full mock exam, revise your weak points and rest the day before the exam.

How to practise effectively

Speaking is practised out loud, with a timer. Record yourself, then listen back with the grid. You will quickly spot hesitations and repetitions.

The speaking studio gives you topics with a prompt document, a preparation timer and a recording of your presentation. Add our page on DELF B2 writing and the complete exam guide. To hear authentic French every day, RFI Savoirs is an excellent free resource.

With a clear method, DELF B2 speaking becomes a conversation that you lead. Take the free placement test first to focus your efforts.