Oral production in the DALF C1: presentation and debate

How the paper runs

You draw two topics at random and choose one. Each topic deals with a social issue and is based on one or more documents. You then have one hour to prepare. During the preparation, you may use a monolingual dictionary. Ask your exam centre how it is made available.

You go in front of two examiners, for about 30 minutes. The paper has two parts: a presentation of 8 to 10 minutes, followed by a discussion of 15 to 20 minutes.

Part 1: the presentation

For eight to ten minutes, you speak on your own. You must:

• present the document: its source, its theme, the idea it defends;
• identify a problématique, that is, the underlying question the document raises;
• announce your outline;
• defend your point of view in two or three parts, with precise arguments and examples;
• conclude by giving a clear answer to the question asked.

The document is a starting point, not a text to summarise. The examiners want your ideas, drawing on your experience, your country, your culture.

Part 2: the debate

For 15 to 20 minutes, the examiners ask you questions, ask you to clarify certain arguments and may raise objections. They assess your ability to interact, to defend your point of view, to nuance what you say and to respond relevantly to counter-arguments.

You do not have to defend your position at all costs: you may acknowledge that an objection is valid, make a concession or adjust your reasoning if an argument convinces you. What matters is showing that you can take an active part in a debate.

If you have not understood a question, politely ask the examiner to rephrase it.

A few expressions for debating with elegance:

• « Je comprends votre objection ; il me semble toutefois que… » (I understand your objection; it seems to me, however, that…)
• « C'est un argument de poids, mais il faut le nuancer. » (That is a weighty argument, but it needs qualifying.)
• « Si je vous suis bien, vous estimez que… » (If I follow you correctly, you believe that…)
• « Permettez-moi d'apporter une précision. » (Allow me to clarify one point.)
• « Je ne partage pas tout à fait cet avis, pour deux raisons. » (I do not entirely share that view, for two reasons.)

Preparing in one hour

What the examiners assess

The grid covers the construction of the presentation (introduction of the document, problématique, outline, argument), your ability to interact (respond, defend, nuance), the range and precision of vocabulary, grammatical accuracy and pronunciation, including intonation and rhythm.

How to practise

• Every week, prepare a topic on a social issue in one hour, then present it in ten minutes while your phone records you.
• Listen back: spot hesitations, repetitions and recurring mistakes.
• Practise with a partner who systematically contradicts you.