DALF C2 · Paper 1
Oral comprehension and production in the DALF C2
Two hearings, one hour of preparation, then thirty minutes in three stages: report, develop your point of view, debate.
The paper at a glance
- Duration
- 30 minutes at most
- Preparation
- 1 hour, after the two hearings
- Marks
- 50 points
- Documents
- One recording, heard twice
- What you do
- Report (5 to 10 min), personal argument (about 10 min), debate (about 10 min)
How the paper runs
You listen twice to a recording: a programme, a debate, a lecture. You then have one hour to prepare, with a monolingual dictionary lent by the centre. Then you go in front of two examiners for thirty minutes at most, in three parts.
Part 1: the report
For five to ten minutes, you report on the content of the recording. Briefly present its nature, its theme and the question it raises, then convey the key ideas, the main arguments and the speakers' positions. Organise the information according to a clear outline, bringing out the logical links between ideas rather than simply following the order of the recording.
The report must remain objective: you relay the ideas of the recording without mixing in your own opinion.
Part 2: the personal argument
For about ten minutes, you develop your own point of view on the question raised by the recording. You may draw on what you heard, but above all the examiners want your ideas, your arguments and your examples.
Part 3: the debate
The examiners question you about your argument, ask you to clarify certain points and may raise objections or counter-arguments.
You must be able to defend your position, deepen your reasoning, nuance what you say and respond with ease. Avoid simply repeating what you have already said: use the questions to enrich your argument, acknowledge where appropriate that an objection is valid, and open up new lines of thought.
The debate should be a genuine exchange: listen carefully to the questions, answer precisely and take the initiative too, to move the discussion forward.
Preparing in one hour
During the hearings, take as many notes as you can: they are your only material for the report.
| Step | Suggested time |
|---|---|
| Tidy up your notes, organise the report | 15 min |
| Build your argument: central question, outline, arguments, examples | 25 min |
| Prepare the transitions, the introduction and the conclusion | 10 min |
| Anticipate the examiners' questions | 10 min |
What the examiners assess
The accuracy and completeness of the report, the quality of the argument and its construction, your ease in the exchange, the precision and richness of vocabulary, including idioms, grammatical accuracy and pronunciation.
How to practise
- Practise the report. Listen to programmes or lectures twice, then convey the key ideas in five to ten minutes, without giving your opinion.
- Structure your argument. From the theme you heard, formulate a central question, build an outline and develop your point of view with precise arguments and examples.
- Simulate the debate. Ask a partner to question you and challenge your arguments, so you practise answering spontaneously.
- Learn to nuance. Practise answering objections by giving an example, acknowledging a limit or making a relevant concession.
- Record yourself. Listen back to your practice sessions to spot repetitions, vague answers and missed chances to deepen your reasoning.
Updated on 10 October 2026