TEF Speaking Section C: The Debate — How to Argue and Win

Target: 1,900+ words

Section C of the TEF Speaking exam is the final and most challenging oral task. You are presented with a controversial topic and must engage in a structured debate with the examiner. This is not a conversation — it's an intellectual sparring match.

Scoring C1 here requires not just fluency, but rhetorical skill: the ability to argue, concede, and counter-argue with elegance.

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Part 1: The Format

• Duration: Approximately 5-6 minutes.
• Topic: A contrastive or provocative statement (e.g., "Le progrès technique menace-t-il l'emploi ?").
• Preparation: You get a few minutes to prepare notes.

Part 2: Preparation Strategy (The 3 Minutes That Matter)

Step 1: Take a Clear Position

Don't fence-sit. Choose one side immediately, even if you personally disagree. Write: "Pour" or "Contre" at the top of your notes.

Step 2: List 3 Arguments

Part 3: The Opening — First Impressions

Start with a hook, not a summary.

Weak opening: "Je suis pour le progrès technique."

Strong opening: "Le progrès technique a transformé l'humanité depuis la révolution industrielle. La question n'est pas de savoir s'il est bon ou mauvais, mais plutôt comment nous pouvons l'encadrer pour qu'il serve l'intérêt général."

This demonstrates:

Part 4: Developing Your Arguments

Each argument should follow the AEL structure:

1. Affirmation (State your point)
2. Explication (Explain why)
3. Lien (Link back to thesis with an example)

Example:

Part 5: Handling the Examiner's Challenges

The examiner will push back. This is not a sign you're wrong — it's a test of your ability to defend and adapt.

Strategy 1: Acknowledge and Redirect

• Examiner: "Mais les robots remplacent des milliers d'ouvriers !"

Part 6: The Concession — Your Secret Weapon

A concession shows maturity and nuance. It's the difference between B2 and C1.

Formula: "Certes, [Opposing Argument]. Néanmoins / Toutefois / Il n'en reste pas moins que [Your Counter]."

Example: "Certes, la transition technologique peut engendrer des inégalités à court terme. Néanmoins, l'histoire nous montre que ces inégalités sont souvent transitoires, et que les bénéfices à long terme l'emportent largement."

Part 7: The Closing — Leave a Mark

Formula:

1. Summarize your position (one sentence).
2. Open to a broader question.

Example: "En définitive, je suis convaincu que le progrès technique, loin de menacer l'emploi, le réinvente. La vraie question est peut-être celle de notre capacité collective à accompagner cette transformation par des politiques éducatives ambitieuses."

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Part 8: Useful Debate Vocabulary

Part 9: Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Rambling without structure. Use discourse markers: "Premièrement, Deuxièmement, Enfin."
2. Getting emotional. Stay analytical, not personal.
3. Repeating the same argument. Develop each point once, then move on.
4. Ignoring the examiner. Interact! Respond to their challenges directly.

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Conclusion

Section C is where you prove you can think in French, not just speak it. Prepare a structure, practice the concession formula, and treat the examiner as a debate partner, not an adversary. With the AEL framework and strong discourse markers, you'll project confidence and competence at the C1 level.