In short: the TCF IRN speaking section (expression orale) lasts 10 minutes, face to face with an examiner, in 3 tasks: an interview (3 min), asking for information (3 min 30) and a point of view (3 min 30). There is no preparation time. Reciting a text learned by heart can give « A1 non atteint » (A1 not reached) and counts as cheating.
Many candidates are afraid of the speaking test. But it is a conversation, not a speech. The examiner wants to hear your own French, not a perfect text. Here is how the section works, and how to prepare without learning anything by heart.
Parcours Civique is an independent practice website, not linked to France Éducation international. The phrases on this page are tools to adapt, not answers to recite.
The speaking test in one table
| Task | What you do | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Task 1: guided interview | You answer questions about yourself: life, work, habits, plans | 3 minutes |
| Task 2: interaction | You ask questions to get information | 3 minutes 30 |
| Task 3: point of view | You give your opinion on a topic and explain it | 3 minutes 30 |
| Total | Face to face with an examiner, no preparation | 10 minutes |
For the TCF IRN, there is no preparation time and no rough paper in the speaking test. You start speaking straight away. The speaking test always takes place face to face with an examiner, even if the rest of the test is done on a computer.
What the examiner does
The examiner is not there to trick you. But they can:
- interrupt you;
- prompt you with a new question (« Pourquoi ? » (Why?), « Et vous ? » (And you?));
- ask you other questions if they think you are reciting a text.
This is normal. A follow-up question is a chance to speak more. Answer simply, in your own words.
Why reciting is not allowed
The candidate handbook is clear: if you recite a text learned by heart, the speaking test can receive « A1 non atteint ». The official page on candidate rights and duties adds that this is cheating. Penalties for cheating can go up to a ban from taking the test for 5 years. See Cheating at the TCF: what is not allowed and the penalties (in French).
What you can learn: words, sentence structures, linking words. What you must not learn: a whole text to repeat word for word.
The difference is simple. A structure (« Ce que j’aime dans mon travail, c’est… », meaning « What I like about my job is… ») can be adapted to each question. A recited text does not answer the question asked, and the examiner can hear it.
Task 1: the interview (3 minutes)
The examiner asks you questions about yourself. Answer in 2 or 3 sentences, not in one word.
Useful phrases (to adapt):
- « Je m’appelle…, j’habite à… depuis… » (My name is…, I have lived in… since…)
- « Je travaille comme… » (I work as a…) / « Je cherche du travail dans… » (I am looking for work in…)
- « Le week-end, d’habitude, je… » (At the weekend, I usually…)
- « Ce que j’aime dans ma ville, c’est… parce que… » (What I like about my town is… because…)
- « Plus tard, j’aimerais… » (Later, I would like to…)
Tip: always add a reason or an example. « J’aime cuisiner » (I like cooking) becomes: « J’aime cuisiner, surtout les plats de mon pays, parce que ça me rappelle ma famille. » (I like cooking, especially dishes from my country, because it reminds me of my family.)
Task 2: getting information (3 minutes 30)
Here, you are the one asking the questions. You must get information about the situation given in the instructions. Ask varied and polite questions.
Useful phrases (to adapt):
- « Bonjour, excusez-moi, je voudrais des informations sur… » (Hello, excuse me, I would like some information about…)
- « Pourriez-vous me dire à quelle heure… ? » (Could you tell me what time…?)
- « Combien coûte… ? Est-ce qu’il y a un tarif réduit ? » (How much does… cost? Is there a reduced price?)
- « Est-ce qu’il faut réserver ? Quels documents faut-il apporter ? » (Do I need to book? What documents should I bring?)
- « Est-ce que je peux payer par carte ? » (Can I pay by card?)
- « Merci beaucoup, c’est très clair. » (Thank you very much, that is very clear.)
Tip: think of the questions « who, what, where, when, how, how much, why » (qui, quoi, où, quand, comment, combien, pourquoi). Listen to the answers and follow up: « Ah, et si je viens le samedi ? » (Oh, and if I come on Saturday?)
Task 3: giving your point of view (3 minutes 30)
You give your opinion on a topic and explain it. There is no right or wrong opinion: your French is assessed, not your ideas.
Useful phrases (to adapt):
- « À mon avis… » / « Je pense que… » / « Personnellement, je trouve que… » (In my opinion… / I think that… / Personally, I find that…)
- « D’abord… Ensuite… Enfin… » (First… Then… Finally…)
- « Par exemple, dans mon pays… » / « Moi, par exemple, je… » (For example, in my country… / For example, I…)
- « D’un côté… de l’autre côté… » (On one hand… on the other hand…)
- « Je comprends ceux qui pensent que…, mais… » (I understand people who think that…, but…)
- « Pour conclure, je dirais que… » (To conclude, I would say that…)
Tip: a simple plan is enough: your opinion, two reasons, an example from your life, a conclusion. If you cannot find a word, explain it another way: « C’est une chose qui sert à… » (It is a thing that is used for…).
If you do not understand
It is normal to ask. These phrases show that you can manage a conversation:
- « Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît ? » (Could you repeat, please?)
- « Excusez-moi, je n’ai pas bien compris le mot… » (Sorry, I did not quite understand the word…)
- « Vous voulez dire que… ? » (Do you mean that…?)
How the speaking test is marked
Your speaking gets a mark out of 20, converted into a level (from A1 to C2). Your voice is recorded: the candidate handbook says it is kept for 2 years. The speaking test is marked twice, by two independent markers. Re-marking on request (recorrection) has been suspended since the sessions of 1 September 2026 (expected to restart in autumn 2027).
To find out which level you need (A2, B1 or B2), read What level of French for your residence card or naturalisation. For the full format, see The 4 sections of the TCF IRN.
Practise speaking
- Speak French every day, even for 10 minutes: at the market, on the phone, with a neighbour.
- Record yourself on your phone, then listen.
- Time yourself: 3 minutes is longer than you think.
- Ask someone to prompt you with « Pourquoi ? » (Why?) or « Et dans votre pays ? » (And in your country?).
In the Speaking section of our TCF IRN preparation, you will find speaking topics for the 3 tasks, with voice recording and model answers. These models are to be adapted, not learned by heart. Start with our free TCF level test, then see the plans and prices (from €24.90, one-time payment, no subscription). No preparation can guarantee a level.
Frequently asked questions
Is there preparation time in the TCF IRN speaking test?
No. For the TCF IRN, you start speaking straight away, with no preparation and no rough paper.
How long does the speaking test last?
10 minutes: 3 minutes of interview, 3 minutes 30 to get information and 3 minutes 30 to give your point of view.
Can I prepare answers in advance?
You can prepare words and sentence structures. But reciting a text learned by heart can give « A1 non atteint » and counts as cheating.
Can the examiner interrupt me?
Yes. They can interrupt you, prompt you and ask other questions, especially if they think you are reciting.
Is the speaking test done on a computer?
No. Even if the centre runs the other sections on a computer, the speaking test takes place face to face with an examiner.
Sources
- 3 tasks, timing, no preparation for the IRN: France Éducation international, TCF IRN page (accessed 30/09/2026): https://www.france-education-international.fr/test/tcf-irn?langue=fr
- How the speaking test runs: France Éducation international, how the test is conducted (accessed 30/09/2026): https://www.france-education-international.fr/article/deroulement-passation-tcf?langue=fr
- Reciting considered as cheating, no rough paper in the speaking test for the IRN: France Éducation international, candidate rights and duties (accessed 30/09/2026): https://www.france-education-international.fr/article/droits-devoirs-candidat-tcf?langue=fr
- Penalties (up to a 5-year ban): France Éducation international, penalties for cheating (accessed 30/09/2026): https://www.france-education-international.fr/article/sanctions-pour-fraude?langue=fr
- Double marking, re-marking suspended: France Éducation international, assessment of the sections (accessed 30/09/2026): https://www.france-education-international.fr/article/evaluation-epreuves-tcf?langue=fr
- Examiner follow-up questions, reciting = « A1 non atteint », voice kept for 2 years: TCF candidate handbook (Manuel du candidat TCF), France Éducation international, September 2026 version, p. 19, 21, 38 and 56 (PDF document)