TEF Speaking: Why Your Practice Partner Needs to Disagree With You

The most misunderstood module of the TEF Canada is Expression Orale Section B.

The prompt seems simple: Read an advertisement for a wacky activity (e.g., sleeping in a transparent bubble in the forest) and convince your friend to come with you.

Many candidates fail this section. Why? Because they treat it like a monologue. They list five reasons why the activity is fun, the examiner nods, the time runs out, and the candidate receives an NCLC 5.

To reach NCLC 7 (B2) or higher, you must understand the psychology of the exam: Section B is not a presentation; it is a debate.

If you are practicing with a partner who simply agrees with you, you are setting yourself up for failure. Here is why your TEF practice partner must be difficult, adversarial, and stubborn.