Ross French Academy
Format officiel de l’expression orale vérifié
Expression orale (Speaking) • Section A
Never Run Out of Questions in Section A
You begin confidently, ask four or five questions, and then your mind goes blank. The solution is not memorising one fixed script. It is learning a reusable map of information categories, varied French question forms, and simple follow-up reactions.
Simple English guidance • questions, transitions et échanges en français
You run out too early
You rely on inspiration instead of a fixed map of practical information categories.
Every question sounds the same
You know what to ask, but repeated grammar makes the exchange mechanical and limited.
Your questions feel disconnected
You move through a memorised list instead of reacting and asking for useful clarification.
Réponse rapide • Answer in 20 seconds
Use question families, not one memorised list
To keep speaking for the full Section A task, prepare information angles rather than ten fixed sentences. Price, schedule, location, conditions, what is included, availability, registration, and cancellation can be adapted to almost any advertisement.
« Bonjour, je vous appelle au sujet de votre annonce pour l’atelier de photographie. Je serais intéressé(e) et j’aurais quelques questions à vous poser, si vous permettez. »
This opening establishes the role, names the advertisement, shows interest, and gives you a natural bridge into your first question.
Ask what the advert does not explain
Questions already answered in the document waste time and show weak task control.
Change the question structure
Mix question words, est-ce que, polite requests, and indirect questions.
Respond before the next question
A short reaction makes the role play sound like an exchange rather than an interrogation.
Follow vague answers
Use reformulation or a follow-up when the examiner gives incomplete information.
Format officiel • Section A at a glance
What Section A requires
obtenir des renseignements
ask for information
une dizaine de questions
about ten questions
face à face
live examiner interaction
deux jeux de rôle
two speaking sections
In Section A, you are interested in an advertisement, offer, activity, job, rental, or service and contact the organisation to obtain more information. The official preparation guidance asks you to be curious, ask about ten questions, and reformulate answers when you need greater precision.
Is Section A a speech or a conversation?
It is a role-play exchange. You should ask relevant questions, listen to the answers, react, and request clarification when useful. Reading ten disconnected questions from memory does not demonstrate the same interaction.
Diagnostic • Why you run out of questions
Find the real Speaking problem
You cannot form questions accurately
Your priority is a small set of reliable question structures you can produce without long pauses.
You ask only about price and schedule
Your priority is expanding your information map so each advert gives you several directions.
You ask questions already answered
Your priority is reading the advert carefully and separating known information from missing information.
You do not react to the examiner
Your priority is building short interaction chains: reaction, clarification, and the next related question.
La carte des questions • Ross 10-Angle Map
Ten angles that work with almost any advert
Do not ask every question below in every task. First remove information already stated in the advertisement, then select the strongest missing categories.
Quel est le tarif exact ? Y a-t-il des facilités de paiement ?
Price, deposit, instalments, discount, or additional fees.
Quels sont les horaires ? À quelle fréquence ont lieu les séances ?
Exact time, days, frequency, flexibility, or alternative sessions.
Où cela se déroule-t-il exactement ? Le lieu est-il accessible en transport ?
Address, transport, parking, online access, or meeting point.
Combien de temps dure chaque séance ? Quelle est la durée totale du programme ?
Session length, contract period, course length, or arrival time.
Faut-il avoir de l’expérience ? Y a-t-il un âge minimum ?
Experience, language level, documents, age, or physical requirements.
Le matériel est-il fourni ? Est-ce que les repas sont compris ?
Equipment, insurance, transport, materials, meals, or support.
Combien y a-t-il de participants par groupe ? Reste-t-il des places ?
Capacity, waiting list, availability, group size, or private options.
Qui anime les séances ? Les participants sont-ils accompagnés ?
Teacher, coach, qualifications, supervision, or customer support.
Comment puis-je m’inscrire ? Quels documents faut-il fournir ?
Registration steps, deadline, appointment, documents, or confirmation.
Que se passe-t-il en cas d’annulation ? Puis-je modifier ma réservation ?
Refund, cancellation, missed session, changes, trial, or next step.
Varier les formes • Natural question variety
Four reliable ways to ask
Variety should make your speech sound natural, not complicated. A clear question you can control is more useful than an advanced structure that creates a long pause or grammar breakdown.
Question word
Quel est le tarif ? Où se trouve le centre ? Combien de personnes participent ?
Clear yes/no question
Est-ce que le matériel est fourni ? Est-ce qu’il faut réserver à l’avance ?
Polite request
Pourriez-vous me préciser les horaires ? Pouvez-vous m’expliquer les conditions ?
Indirect question
J’aimerais savoir si les frais sont remboursables. Je voudrais savoir comment m’inscrire.
Écouter et rebondir • Build interaction
Turn a list into a conversation
Reaction + related question
Candidat : « D’accord, c’est intéressant. Et est-ce qu’on peut choisir les jours, ou les horaires sont-ils fixes ? »
Reformulation + clarification
Candidat : « Si j’ai bien compris, il existe plusieurs formules. Pourriez-vous me préciser les différences entre elles ? »
Natural transition
Très bien. / D’accord. / C’est bon à savoir. / Je vois.
Si j’ai bien compris… / Donc, cela signifie que…
Pourriez-vous être plus précis(e) ? / Qu’entendez-vous par… ?
Et concernant… / J’aimerais aussi savoir… / Une autre question…
Exemple complet • Build ten questions
One advert, ten useful directions
« Atelier Photo Urbaine — huit séances le samedi, tous niveaux, matériel fourni. Découvrez la ville avec un photographe professionnel. »
The advert already gives the day, number of sessions, level, equipment, and professional supervision. Strong questions should target information that is still missing.
| Angle | Question possible | Why it is useful |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Quel est le tarif total de l’atelier ? | The advert gives no cost. |
| Exact time | À quelle heure commencent et se terminent les séances ? | Saturday is given, but not the hours. |
| Location | Quel est le lieu de rendez-vous exact ? | The city route is not identified. |
| Transport | Le point de départ est-il accessible en transport en commun ? | Checks practical access. |
| Group size | Combien de participants y a-t-il par groupe ? | Group size affects the experience. |
| Programme | Quels thèmes seront abordés pendant les huit séances ? | Asks what participants will learn. |
| Weather | Que se passe-t-il en cas de mauvais temps ? | The activity takes place outdoors. |
| Missed class | Peut-on rattraper une séance manquée ? | Checks flexibility. |
| Registration | Comment puis-je m’inscrire et quelle est la date limite ? | Clarifies the next step. |
| Cancellation | Les frais sont-ils remboursables en cas d’annulation ? | Checks the financial condition. |
Mini-entraînement • Build your own questions
Practise with three Section A adverts
For each advert, identify information already provided. Then produce at least five questions about missing details before opening the suggested angles.
1. Appartement à louer
« Appartement meublé, deux chambres, proche du centre-ville, disponible dès septembre. »
Voir les angles possibles
« Les charges sont-elles comprises dans le loyer ? »
« Serait-il possible d’organiser une visite cette semaine ? »
2. Cours de cuisine
« Cuisine du monde, cours du soir, ingrédients fournis, petits groupes. »
Voir les angles possibles
« Proposez-vous des options végétariennes ? »
« Combien de temps dure chaque cours ? »
3. Emploi saisonnier
« Hôtel recherche réceptionniste pour la saison d’été. Anglais souhaité. Logement possible. »
Voir les angles possibles
« Quelles seraient mes principales responsabilités ? »
« Pourriez-vous me préciser les conditions du logement ? »
Journal d’interaction • Review what happened
Track the communication gap
After each timed practice, do not write only “I made grammar mistakes.” Identify the communication problem that stopped the exchange.
| What happened | Likely cause | Replacement strategy |
|---|---|---|
| I stopped after five questions. | I used only price, time, and place. | Review the 10-Angle Map and add conditions, included services, registration, and cancellation. |
| Every question began with Est-ce que. | I had one safe structure only. | Prepare one reliable example from each of the four question families. |
| I ignored a vague answer. | I was focused on my next memorised question. | Use Si j’ai bien compris… followed by a clarification request. |
| I asked something shown in the advert. | I did not separate known and missing details. | Before speaking, identify what the document already provides. |
Plan de 7 jours • Focused practice
Seven days to Section A control
10 angles
Learn the category map and create one question for each angle.
Question forms
Practise four structures until they are easy to retrieve.
Read the advert
Separate given information from missing information on five prompts.
Follow-ups
Respond to vague answers with reformulation and clarification.
Five minutes
Record a complete timed role play without stopping.
Error log
Identify repeated grammar, category, and interaction problems.
Live pressure
Practise with another person who gives short or vague answers.
Le jour de l’examen • Final control
Keep the exchange moving
Open
- Greet the interlocutor politely.
- Name the advertisement or service.
- Explain that you want more information.
Develop
- Move through several information categories.
- React to answers and ask follow-ups.
- Avoid repeating one question form.
Close
- Ask about the next step when appropriate.
- Thank the interlocutor.
- End the call naturally and politely.
« Merci beaucoup pour toutes ces précisions. Je vais réfléchir et je vous recontacterai rapidement. Bonne journée ! »
Votre prochaine étape • Your next step
Practise questions in a real exchange
The Ross French Academy Expression orale course teaches separate strategies for Sections A and B, practical French question patterns, model exchanges, interaction techniques, and guided speaking practice. If you already know the format but freeze with a real interlocutor, a timed Speaking Mock Test gives you personalised evidence about what is limiting your performance.
Questions fréquentes • FAQ
Expression orale Section A FAQ
How long is Section A of TEF Canada Expression orale?
How many questions should I ask in Section A?
Can I memorise ten questions?
Can every question begin with “Est-ce que”?
What should I do if the examiner gives a vague answer?
Should I use “tu” or “vous” in Section A?
Can I use notes during the oral test?
Are the sample adverts official TEF Canada questions?
Continuez votre préparation • Related guides
More Expression orale Guides
Sources officielles • Official verification
- Préparer l’expression orale • Official Section A and B guidance
- Format officiel du TEF Canada • Official test-day information
- Évaluation du TEF • Official assessment information
Ross French Academy provides independent TEF Canada preparation. The Ross 10-Angle Question Map, diagnostic framework, sample adverts, model questions, and practice activities in this article are original learning materials. They are not official TEF questions or past exam papers.
Last verified against official sources: July 27, 2026