Speaking module guide
TCF Canada Speaking: Tasks 1, 2 and 3 Explained
The TCF Canada speaking test (Expression orale) is a 12-minute, face-to-face interview with three tasks of rising difficulty. Only task 2 has preparation time (2 minutes). Here's what each task asks, phrases that work, and how your /20 converts to NCLC.
Format
TCF Canada Speaking Format
The tasks climb in difficulty, so task 1 is your warm-up and task 3 decides the top bands. The examiner leads task 1, plays a role in task 2, and chooses your question in task 3.
Task 1 · 2 min · no prep
Task 1: Guided Interview
The examiner asks about you: your background, work or studies, family, hobbies, plans. Answer in full, developed sentences — two or three per question — rather than one-word replies.
Je m'appelle Ravi, j'ai trente-deux ans et je viens de Pune, en Inde. Je suis ingénieur en logiciel et je vis à Ottawa depuis un an avec ma femme. Le week-end, j'aime faire de la randonnée dans le parc de la Gatineau, et je prends des cours de français le soir parce que je voudrais travailler dans un environnement bilingue.
Task 2 · 5 min 30 · 2 min prep
Task 2: Interaction to Get Information
You get a situation card that tells you who you are and who the examiner plays (a landlord, a receptionist, a colleague…). You have 2 minutes to prepare, then you ask questions to obtain the information you need.
- 1Use the 2 minutes to jot down 8–10 question topics, not full sentences.
- 2Open politely and state your need: « Bonjour, je vous appelle parce que je cherche… »
- 3Ask, listen, and follow up on the answers — it's an interaction, not a questionnaire.
- 4Use the register the card implies (usually vous) and close politely.
Vous voulez louer un appartement. Vous appelez le propriétaire : loyer, charges, chauffage, quartier, transports, date de disponibilité, animaux, durée du bail…
Task 3 · 4 min 30 · no prep
Task 3: Expressing a Point of View
The examiner asks a question on a general topic and you give and defend an opinion, speaking continuously and persuasively — with no preparation time. A simple plan in your head is enough.
Position : « À mon avis, … » / « Je suis plutôt d'accord avec l'idée que… »
Argument 1 + exemple : « D'abord, … Par exemple, dans mon pays… »
Argument 2 + exemple : « De plus, … »
Nuance : « Cela dit, je reconnais que… »
Conclusion : « En somme, … »
- Sample topics: « Faut-il interdire les téléphones portables à l'école ? », « Le télétravail est-il l'avenir du travail ? », « Vaut-il mieux vivre en ville ou à la campagne ? »
How you're scored
TCF Canada Speaking Score to NCLC
Speaking is scored out of 20. IRCC converts it to NCLC:
| NCLC | TCF Canada speaking score |
|---|---|
| NCLC 10+ | 16–20 / 20 |
| NCLC 9 | 14–15 / 20 |
| NCLC 8 | 12–13 / 20 |
| NCLC 7 | 10–11 / 20 |
| NCLC 6 | 7–9 / 20 |
| NCLC 5 | 6 / 20 |
| NCLC 4 | 4–5 / 20 |
Convert all four skills with the NCLC calculator.
Questions
TCF Canada Speaking FAQ
How long is the TCF Canada speaking test?
12 minutes in total, including 2 minutes of preparation: task 1 lasts 2 minutes, task 2 lasts 5 minutes 30 seconds including the 2 minutes of preparation, and task 3 lasts 4 minutes 30 seconds.
Which TCF Canada speaking task has preparation time?
Only task 2, the interaction, has 2 minutes of preparation. Tasks 1 and 3 have none.
What TCF speaking score do I need for NCLC 7?
On IRCC's table, NCLC 7 in TCF Canada speaking is 10 or 11 out of 20; NCLC 9 is 14 or 15.
Next step
Practise all three tasks with real timing.
Frenchly's TCF speaking practice times each task like the exam and gives AI feedback from Sophie with an estimated /20 score and NCLC level.