You’re working in France. Suddenly, your computer stops working—but you have an urgent task to finish. You ask a colleague for help. How do you explain what’s wrong in French?
This is a classic DELF A2 workplace scenario. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to describe a technical issue, ask for help, and respond to follow-up questions in French.
Why This Scenario Matters for DELF A2
The DELF A2 exam tests your ability to:
Describe a current problem
Ask someone for help
Suggest or accept solutions
This scenario is very realistic—not just for the exam but also for real-life work settings, especially if you live or work in a French-speaking country.
Situation: Panne d’ordinateur
Vous travaillez en France. Soudain, votre ordinateur tombe en panne. Vous devez terminer un travail urgent. Vous demandez de l’aide à un collègue, spécialiste en informatique. Vous lui expliquez votre problème.
[You’re working in France. Suddenly, your computer breaks down. You need to finish an urgent task. You ask a colleague (an IT specialist) for help and explain the problem.]
L’examinateur joue le rôle de votre collègue.
[The examiner plays the role of your colleague.]
Your Goal: Explain your computer problem simply and ask for help.
A2 Reality Check: You are NOT expected to know technical computer terms! This is about explaining a basic problem in simple words and asking for assistance.
The 4-Step Help-Request Formula
Step 1: Get Attention & State You Have a Problem (15 seconds)
Start informally (it’s a colleague) and immediately say you need help.
What to say:
“Bonjour [Name if you want to invent one, or just say ‘Bonjour’].”
“Excuse-moi, j’ai un problème.”
(Hello. Excuse me, I have a problem.)
OR:
“Salut, tu peux m’aider ?”
(Hi, can you help me?)
Why this works:
“Salut” is appropriate for a colleague (informal)
Immediately states you need help
Simple and direct
Step 2: Explain the Basic Problem (30 seconds)
Describe what’s wrong in the simplest possible way. Use everyday words, not technical terms.
Choose ONE of these simple explanations:
The computer won’t start:
“Mon ordinateur ne marche plus.”
(My computer doesn’t work anymore.)“Quand j’appuie sur le bouton, rien ne se passe.”
(When I press the button, nothing happens.)The screen is black/weird:
“L’écran est noir.”
(The screen is black.)“L’écran fait des choses bizarres.”
(The screen does strange things.)Something specific doesn’t work:
“Je ne peux pas utiliser Internet.”
(I can’t use the internet.)“Mon clavier ne fonctionne pas.”
(My keyboard doesn’t work.)The general “I don’t know what’s wrong”:
“Il y a quelque chose qui ne va pas avec mon ordinateur.”
(There’s something wrong with my computer.)
Step 3: Explain Why It’s Urgent (15 seconds)
Say why you need help NOW. This is important for the task.
Simple urgency phrases:
“C’est urgent parce que…”
(It’s urgent because…)
Good A2 reasons:
“J’ai un travail important à finir.”
(I have important work to finish.)“Je dois envoyer un email maintenant.”
(I have to send an email now.)“Mon patron/ma patronne attend ce travail.”
(My boss is waiting for this work.)“C’est pour aujourd’hui.”
(It’s for today.)
Step 4: Ask for Specific Help & Respond (30 seconds)
Ask what you should do or if they can fix it.
Asking for help:
“Qu’est-ce que je peux faire ?”
(What can I do?)
“Tu peux regarder mon ordinateur ?”
(Can you look at my computer?)
“Tu peux m’aider à réparer ça ?”
(Can you help me fix this?)
The colleague will likely respond with suggestions. Be ready to:
Say “Oui” or “Non” to their suggestions
Ask simple follow-up questions if needed
Thank them when they offer help
Example exchange:
Colleague: “Tu as essayé de redémarrer l’ordinateur ?”
(Did you try to restart the computer?)
You: “Oui, j’ai déjà essayé, mais ça ne marche pas.”
(Yes, I already tried, but it doesn’t work.)
End the conversation:
“Merci beaucoup pour ton aide.”
(Thank you very much for your help.)
“D’accord, je vais essayer ça.”
(Okay, I’ll try that.)
The Complete A2 Dialogue Example 1
You: “Salut Thomas, excuse-moi, j’ai un problème.”
Colleague: “Oui, qu’est-ce qui se passe ?”
You: “Mon ordinateur ne marche plus. L’écran est noir. Je ne sais pas pourquoi.”
You: “C’est urgent parce que j’ai un travail important à finir pour mon patron. C’est pour aujourd’hui.”
Colleague: “Tu as essayé de le redémarrer ?”
You: “Oui, j’ai déjà essayé. Mais rien ne change.”
Colleague: “Je peux venir voir ton ordinateur.”
You: “Oui, s’il te plaît. Qu’est-ce que je peux faire ?”
Colleague: “Laisse-moi regarder. Peut-être c’est un problème simple.”
You: “Merci beaucoup pour ton aide. C’est très gentil.”
The Complete A2 Dialogue Example 2
Vous: Bonjour, tu as une minute ? Mon ordinateur ne fonctionne plus.
Collègue: Qu’est-ce qu’il a ?
Vous: Il ne s’allume pas du tout. L’écran est noir.
Collègue: Tu as essayé de le redémarrer ?
Vous: Oui, mais ça ne marche pas. J’ai un rapport urgent à envoyer.
Collègue: D’accord, je vais regarder ça tout de suite.
Vous: Merci beaucoup, c’est vraiment urgent.
Key Vocabulary for This Task
Simple Problem Words:
Un problème (a problem)
Ne marche pas/ne fonctionne pas (doesn’t work)
Casse/cassé (broken)
Bizarre (strange/weird)
Noir (black)
Rien (nothing)
Computer Parts (Basic):
L’ordinateur (the computer)
L’écran (the screen)
Le clavier (the keyboard)
La souris (the mouse)
Internet
Action Verbs:
Aider (to help)
Réparer (to fix)
Redémarrer (to restart)
Essayer (to try)
Regarder (to look at)
Urgency Words:
Urgent/urgente (urgent)
Important/importante (important)
Maintenant (now)
Tout de suite (immediately)
Aujourd’hui (today)
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