DELF Exam Tips

How to Strategically Prepare for the DELF A1 Speaking Test?

Bonjour, futurs champions de la parole française! Butterflies fluttering in your stomach about the DELF A1 speaking test? 

Pas de panique, mon ami(e)! 

With a sprinkle of readiness and a dollop of self-assurance, you’ll soon be conversing like an expert. Let’s reveal the strategies to master this test and astonish the examiners with your proficiency in French.

Table of contents

The DELF A1 Speaking Test Format

  • Time Limit: You’ll have 5 minutes to showcase your speaking skills in three parts: a self presentation, information exchange, and role-playing. Think of it as a friendly chat, not a formal interview!
  • Demonstrate your grasp of basic French by using correct grammar, simple vocabulary, and clear pronunciation. Focus on communicating effectively rather than complex sentences.
  • Actively listen, respond appropriately, and ask relevant questions. Remember, it’s a two-way street!

The DELF A1 Speaking Test Scoring Pattern

  • Presentation – is worth 5 points. 
  • Information exchange – costs you 4 points.
  • While, the role-play – 7 points are up for grabs.
  • The remaining 9 points are evaluated based on fluency, comprehension, interaction, pronunciation, and vocabulary.
  • Focus on clear communication, using grammatically correct sentences, and engaging in dialogue.
  • You can find the detailed scoring grid here.

Some topics that can be asked during DELF A1 Speaking Test

While I can’t guarantee the exact topics you’ll encounter in the DELF A1 speaking exam, I can give you a wide range of possibilities based on the typical themes and formats:

Personal Introduction:

  • Tell me about yourself.
  • Describe your daily routine.
  • What are your hobbies and interests?
  • Talk about your family or friends.
  • Share a memorable experience you’ve had.

Information Exchange:

  • Have you ever traveled abroad? Tell me about a trip you took.
  • What’s your favorite book or movie? Why do you like it?
  • Describe a recent event you attended.
  • What do you like to do in your free time?
  • Compare and contrast two things, like your hometown and another city.

Role-Playing:

  • Imagine you’re ordering food at a restaurant. What would you like to order?
  • You’re asking for directions in a French city. How would you explain where you want to go?
  • You’re checking into a hotel. What information would you provide?
  • You’re buying something at a store. How would you ask for help and complete the purchase?
  • You’re introducing yourself to someone new. What would you say?

Additional Notes:

  • Remember, these are just examples, and the actual topics could be variations of these or completely different.
  • The key is to be prepared to talk about various everyday topics using basic French vocabulary and grammar.
  • Don’t worry about making mistakes; the examiners are more interested in your ability to communicate effectively than perfect grammar.

Preparation of DELF A1 Speaking Test

Learn Phrases, Not Just Scripts:

While pre-made phrases can be helpful, avoid memorizing entire scripts. Learning flexible phrases allows you to adapt them to different situations and sound more natural. Focus on expressions for:

  • Common Greetings & Farewells: Bonjour, Au revoir, Comment allez-vous?, Merci, etc.
  • Introducing Yourself: Je m’appelle…, J’ai…, J’habite…, J’aime…, etc.
  • Asking & Responding to Questions: Comment dit-on…? (How do you say…?), Est-ce que je peux…? (Can I…?), Oui, bien sûr. / Non, merci. (Yes, of course. / No, thank you.), etc.
  • Expressing Opinions & Preferences: J’aime bien…, Je préfère…, Je pense que…, etc.
  • Giving Directions: Tout droit, À gauche, À droite, etc.
  • Ordering Food & Drinks: Je voudrais…, S’il vous plaît, C’est bon, etc.

Reliable Sources for Learn-Ready Phrases:

  • Beginner French Textbooks & Phrasebooks: Look for resources specifically designed for the DELF A1 level, like “French for the DELF A1” by Hachette or “DELF A1: Objectif Réussite” by CLE International.
  • Language Learning Apps & Websites: Duolingo, Memrise, and Babbel offer phrase lists and practice activities relevant to everyday situations.
  • YouTube Channels & Podcasts: InnerFrench, FrançaisFacile, and Coffee Break French feature videos and audio lessons packed with useful expressions.

Integrate Phrases into Your Practice:

  • Role-Playing Scenarios: Use the learned phrases while practicing common exam scenarios like ordering food, asking for directions, or introducing yourself.
  • Conversation Exchange & Groups: Actively try to incorporate these phrases into your conversations with language partners or groups.
  • Shadowing: While shadowing audio, repeat not just the individual words but also the entire phrases to solidify their usage.

Remember, Flexibility is Key:

Don’t rely solely on memorized phrases. 

Learn the grammar and vocabulary behind them to adapt them to different contexts and express yourself more fluidly.

Bonus Tip: 

Create your own “cheat sheet” with essential phrases categorized by topic for quick reference during practice or even the exam (if allowed).

The Key Ingredient

You! Believe in yourself and your ability to learn. And most importantly, have fun with the process! 

For thorough preparation for the DELF A1 exam, delve into strategic planning by exploring:

Reading, Listening, Writing