The DELF A1 Production Orale is the speaking part of the DELF A1 exam, which tests your basic spoken French skills. It’s designed to check if you can communicate in everyday situations using simple vocabulary and grammar. You don’t need to be perfect — just able to express yourself clearly at a beginner level.
This guide will walk you through exactly what happens during the speaking test, what the examiners expect, and how to prepare – even if you’ve never spoken French in front of someone before.
🔙 Preparing for Other DELF A1 Sections?
Check out our other guides:
How to Pass the DELF A1 Compréhension Orale (Listening): Full Guide for Beginners
DELF A1 Production Écrite: Step-by-Step Writing Guide
How to Succeed in DELF A1 Reading: Beginner’s Reading Tips & Practice
DELF A1 Production Orale Breakdown: What to Expect
The speaking test is divided into 3 parts and lasts about 5 to 7 minutes in total.
🔙 Need a detailed guide for the entretien dirigé and how to prepare for this section of the exam?
Check out our other guides:
1. Guided Interview (Entretien Dirigé) – 1 to 2 minutes
The DELF A1 Guided Interview (Entretien Dirigé) — which lasts around 1 to 2 minutes — is the first part of the oral examination for the DELF A1 French language proficiency test. It is designed to assess basic communication skills in a guided, structured interaction with the examiner.
Here’s what it’s about:
Purpose:
The Guided Interview checks if the candidate can introduce themselves and answer simple personal questions using basic French. It focuses on everyday topics that a beginner (A1 level) should be comfortable with.
What to Expect:
You will have a short conversation with the examiner where you’ll be asked about:
Your name (Comment tu t’appelles ?)
Age (Quel âge as-tu ?)
Where you live (Tu habites où ?)
Nationality (Tu es de quelle nationalité ?)
Profession or occupation (Tu fais quoi dans la vie ?)
Family (Tu as des frères et sœurs ?)
Hobbies and likes/dislikes (Tu aimes le sport ? Tu aimes le cinéma ?)
Skills Being Tested:
Understanding and responding to simple questions
Using basic vocabulary and sentence structure
Pronunciation and clarity
Confidence in basic interaction
Tips for Success:
Keep your answers short and clear.
Use simple present tense (e.g., J’ai 20 ans, J’habite à Paris).
Practice common questions in advance.
Don’t worry about mistakes — the goal is communication, not perfection.
Smile and stay calm — it’s a friendly interview!
Example Dialogue:
Examiner: Bonjour ! Comment tu t’appelles ?
You: Bonjour ! Je m’appelle Anna.
Examiner: Tu as quel âge ?
You: J’ai 25 ans.
Examiner: Tu habites où ?
You: J’habite à Berlin.
Examiner: Qu’est-ce que tu aimes faire ?
You: J’aime écouter de la musique et lire.
In summary, this part of the exam is all about basic personal interaction. It’s short, simple, and designed for beginners — so with a little practice, you’ll be ready to pass it confidently.
2. Exchange of Information (Échange d’informations) – 2 to 3 minutes
Task: You are the one asking questions, based on a “carte” (prompt card) you choose.
You initiate the interaction to collect specific information (3–4 points on the card).
The examiner responds like a store clerk, receptionist, waiter, etc.
This is not a role play in the sense of taking turns improvising — it’s your job to ask specific questions to get the information you need. Think of it as an information-collecting mini interview led by you.
How It Works:
The examiner gives you 2 or 3 prompt cards.
You choose one card (no pressure, choose what you’re comfortable with).
Each card gives:
A situation (context)
A role (you are the customer, client, student, etc.)
3 or 4 keywords – things you must ask about
You are expected to form correct questions for each item on the card.
You are not expected to have a full conversation.
What Skills Are Tested?
Can you form clear questions?
Can you use polite and correct expressions?
Can you ask for information relevant to the situation?
Can you pronounce your questions understandably?
Type of Prompts (Situations and Themes)
Here are the common themes and example situations that appear on Part 2 cards:
| Theme | Example Situation | You May Need to Ask About… |
|---|---|---|
| Shopping | At a clothing store / bookstore / supermarket | Price, size, color, availability, changing room |
| Transport | At the train station / bus stop / airport | Departure time, ticket price, platform, duration |
| Food | At a bakery / supermarket / café | Food items, quantity, opening hours, payment method |
| Services | At the post office / hair salon / bank | Opening times, services, costs, location |
| Accommodation | In a hotel or youth hostel | Room type, number of nights, breakfast, Wi-Fi |
| Leisure / Events | Buying cinema tickets / museum entry / concert pass | Schedule, location, ticket price, reductions |
| Education | At a language school / registration desk | Class times, cost, levels, requirements |
| Health | Making an appointment with a doctor or dentist | Date, time, symptoms, duration |
Common Keywords on Cards (Things You Must Ask About)
Each card will list 3–4 of these. You turn them into simple, polite questions:
Prix → C’est combien ? / Quel est le prix ?
Heure d’ouverture → À quelle heure ouvrez-vous ?
Taille → Vous avez la taille M ?
Billet aller-retour → Avez-vous des billets aller-retour ?
Salle d’attente → Où est la salle d’attente ?
Nombre de personnes → Pour combien de personnes ?
Réduction → Y a-t-il une réduction ?
Durée → Combien de temps dure le film ?
Examples of Full Cards
Example Card 1: At the Bookstore (Librairie)
You are at a bookstore. Ask about:
A book by Victor Hugo
The price
If it’s available in English
The opening hours
You could ask:
Bonjour, je cherche un livre de Victor Hugo. Vous l’avez ?
C’est combien ?
Il existe en anglais ?
Vous ouvrez à quelle heure ?
Example Card 2: At the Cinema (Cinéma)
You are buying tickets. Ask about:
The next film
The time
The price
Discounts for students
You could ask:
Quel est le prochain film ?
Il commence à quelle heure ?
C’est combien ?
Il y a une réduction pour les étudiants ?
Example Card 3: At the Train Station (Gare)
You are taking a train. Ask about:
A one-way ticket to Paris
The price
The platform
The duration of the trip
You could ask:
Je voudrais un billet simple pour Paris.
C’est combien ?
Le train part de quelle voie ?
Le voyage dure combien de temps ?
Key Sentence Starters
These make forming your questions easy:
Je voudrais… (I would like…)
Est-ce que vous avez… ? (Do you have…?)
C’est combien ? (How much is it?)
À quelle heure… ? (At what time…?)
Où est… ? (Where is…?)
Combien de… ? (How many / how much…?)
Il y a… ? (Is there…?)
Le/la… est ouvert(e) quand ? (When is it open?)
3. Jeu de rôle (Role Play) – 2 to 3 minutes
This part is a role-play between you and the examiner, based on a practical everyday situation.
You will choose one “carte” (card) from several options. The card gives you a situation (like ordering food or asking for directions) and shows the information you need to ask or give.
What Happens During the Test?
You choose 1 card from a group of 2 or 3 offered by the examiner.
You read the card carefully (you may get 1–2 minutes to think).
You then act out the scene with the examiner (they play the other role — waiter, receptionist, shop assistant, etc.).
You must ask the correct questions to get the information needed or respond as the person described on the card.
What’s on the Card?
Each carte (card) contains:
A situation (e.g., “At the bakery”, “At the train station”, “In a hotel”)
A role you play (e.g., “You are the customer”)
3 to 4 prompts (keywords) – these are the topics you must ask about or respond to
Example Card:
Situation: At a bakery
You are: A customer
Ask about:
A baguette
Price
Opening hours
You would ask:
Bonjour, je voudrais une baguette, s’il vous plaît.
C’est combien ?
Vous êtes ouverts à quelle heure ?
Common Themes of the Cartes
The scenarios are very practical and related to daily life:
| Theme | Example Scenario |
|---|---|
| Shopping | Buying food, clothes, books |
| Transport | Asking for train/bus times |
| Accommodation | Booking a hotel room |
| Leisure | Booking cinema or museum tickets |
| Dining | Ordering in a restaurant or café |
| Daily Life | Asking about schedules or addresses |
What You’re Expected to Do
Understand the situation
Formulate basic questions or answers
Use polite forms (Bonjour, s’il vous plaît, merci)
Use simple sentence structures (Je voudrais…, C’est combien ?, Vous avez… ?)
Tips for Success
Memorize question structures:
Combien ça coûte ?
À quelle heure… ?
Où est… ?
Est-ce que je peux… ?
Focus on clarity, not perfection
Use visual clues on the card to guide you
Be polite and natural
Final Advice:
This part is about real-life communication. Think of it like a mini-scene from your daily life in France. The examiner is not trying to trick you — they want to see that you can handle basic exchanges.
A1 Vocabulary Themes to Master
Here are the most common themes used in DELF A1 oral exams:
Personal identity (name, age, nationality, job)
Daily routine (habits, meals, activities)
Family & relationships
Time & dates
Shopping, prices, and quantities
Food and drinks
Housing and furniture
Weather and seasons
Transportation and directions
Create a vocabulary map for each theme and practice with flashcards.
Key Expressions You Should Know for A1
Basic Questions:
Comment vous appelez-vous ? (What’s your name?)
Quelle est votre nationalité ? (What is your nationality?)
Où habitez-vous ? (Where do you live?)
Quel âge avez-vous ? (How old are you?)
Qu’est-ce que vous aimez faire ? (What do you like to do?)
Useful Phrases to Answer:
Je m’appelle… (My name is…)
Je suis… (I am…)
J’ai 20 ans. (I am 20 years old.)
J’habite à Paris. (I live in Paris.)
J’aime la musique. (I like music.)
Je n’aime pas le sport. (I don’t like sports.)
Je voudrais un café. (I’d like a coffee.)
C’est combien ? (How much is it?)
Merci beaucoup. (Thank you very much.)
De rien. (You’re welcome.)
How to Prepare for Each Task
1. Guided Interview: Be Ready to Talk About Yourself
Practice answering:
Je m’appelle… (My name is…)
J’habite à… (I live in…)
Je parle… (I speak…)
J’aime… (I like…)
Je travaille comme… (I work as…)
Use simple sentences and real answers to make it easier to remember.
2. Exchange of Information: Ask & Answer
Example phrases:
Combien ça coûte ? (How much does it cost?)
À quelle heure ça commence ? (What time does it start?)
Je voudrais réserver une chambre. (I’d like to book a room.)
Est-ce qu’il y a un parking ? (Is there a parking lot?)
C’est loin ? (Is it far?)
3. Roleplay: Simulate Real-Life Situations
Prepare for these roles:
At a hotel:
Je voudrais une chambre. (I’d like a room.)
Avec salle de bain ? (With a bathroom?)
C’est pour combien de nuits ? (For how many nights?)
At a restaurant:
Je prends une salade. (I’ll have a salad.)
Comme boisson, un jus d’orange. (For a drink, orange juice.)
L’addition, s’il vous plaît. (The bill, please.)
At the train station:
Un billet pour Lyon, s’il vous plaît. (A ticket to Lyon, please.)
À quelle heure part le train ? (What time does the train leave?)
What Are the Examiners Looking For?
Even at A1, there are clear evaluation criteria:
| Criteria | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Task Completion | Did you do what was asked in the roleplay or exchange? |
| Vocabulary (Lexique) | Do you use basic words that match the topic? |
| Grammar (Grammaire) | Do you make simple but correct sentences? |
| Pronunciation | Are you understandable, even with an accent? |
| Interactive Skill | Can you ask, answer, and react to simple prompts or questions? |
You don’t need perfect grammar – just clear, simple, and correct communication.
What If You Don’t Understand?
Use these polite phrases:
Pardon ? (Sorry?)
Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît ? (Can you repeat, please?)
Je ne comprends pas. (I don’t understand.)
Pouvez-vous parler plus lentement ? (Can you speak more slowly?)
Comment ça s’écrit ? (How is that spelled?)
Practice Plan (1 Week)
| Day | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| 1 | Personal introduction + spelling |
| 2 | Asking & answering basic questions |
| 3 | Vocabulary for shopping & food |
| 4 | Roleplay: buying a train ticket |
| 5 | Roleplay: booking a hotel room |
| 6 | Listening to sample A1 conversations |
| 7 | Full mock speaking test simulation |
Sample Roleplay Prompt (with Translation)
Situation: Vous êtes au restaurant. Vous commandez un plat et une boisson.
(You are at a restaurant. You order a dish and a drink.)
Examiner: Bonjour monsieur/madame, vous désirez ?
(Hello sir/madam, what would you like?)
You: Bonjour, je voudrais une pizza et un jus d’orange, s’il vous plaît.
(Hello, I’d like a pizza and an orange juice, please.)
Examiner: C’est tout ? (Is that all?)
You: Oui, merci. C’est combien ? (Yes, thank you. How much is it?)
Final Tips
Speak slowly and clearly.
Use short, complete sentences.
Smile and relax — it’s OK to make small mistakes.
Practice aloud every day.
Repeat useful expressions until they’re automatic.
Bonus: Top 10 Beginner Phrases to Memorise
Je m’appelle… (My name is…)
J’ai … ans. (I am … years old.)
J’habite à… (I live in…)
Je suis étudiant(e). (I am a student.)
Je parle un peu français. (I speak a little French.)
Je voudrais… (I would like…)
C’est combien ? (How much is it?)
Merci beaucoup. (Thank you very much.)
Je ne comprends pas. (I don’t understand.)
Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît ? (Can you repeat, please?)
You Got This!
The DELF A1 Production Orale is all about showing that you can handle simple French in real situations. With consistent practice, even beginners can pass confidently.