---
title: "DELF A1 Speaking Structure & Evaluation Criteria | OralPrep Guide"
description: "Master the DELF A1 oral exam structure. Learn the 3 parts: Guided Interview, Information Exchange, and Role-play. Official scoring criteria explained."
lang: "en"
slug: "delf-a1-speaking-structure-criteria"
pubDate: 2026-01-08
alternates:
  en: "delf-a1-speaking-structure-criteria"
  es: "examen-oral-delf-a1-estructura-criterios"
  fr: "examen-oral-delf-a1-structure-criteres"
  de: "delf-a1-mundliche-prufung-struktur-kriterien"
  it: "esame-orale-delf-a1-struttura-criteri"
---
The DELF A1 **Production Orale** is the first step in
French certification. It is a very guided exam designed for beginners.
The atmosphere is usually friendly and the examiners are there to help
you speak, not to trap you.

The total duration of the test is only
**5 to 7 minutes**, with
**10 minutes for preparation** (only for parts 2 and 3).
Here we explain exactly what to expect.

### Nervous about your first exam?

Practice with our
**A1 exam simulator**. It helps you answer basic
questions and prepares you for the role-play scenario.

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## Structure of the Production Orale DELF A1

The test is divided into three parts:

### 1. Guided Interview (Entretien dirigé) - approx. 1 minute

This takes place without preparation. You enter the room, greet the
examiner, and give your convocation. Then the examiner asks simple
questions about you.

<li>**Topics:** Name, age, nationality, family, profession, hobbies.</li>
<li>
  **Example Question:** "Comment vous appelez-vous ?", "Quelle est votre
  nationalité ?", "Qu'est-ce que vous aimez faire le week-end ?"
</li>
<li>**Tip:** Prepare full sentences. Do not just answer "Yes" or "No".</li>

<h3>2. Exchange of Information (Échange d'informations) - approx. 2 minutes</h3>

You will have prepared this part for 10 minutes. You will draw 5 or 6
cards with words on them (and sometimes an image). Your task is to
**ask questions** to the examiner based on these words.

- **Example Card:** "Dîner" (Dinner).

<li>
  **Expected Question:** "À quelle heure vous dînez ?" (At what time do you have
  dinner?) or "Qu'est-ce que vous aimez manger pour le dîner ?"
</li>
<li>
  **Objective:** Show you can form basic questions using "Où", "Quand",
  "Comment", "Combien".
</li>

### 3. Role-play / Simulation (Dialogue simulé) - approx. 2 minutes

Also prepared beforehand. You have to act out a simple daily life
situation with the examiner. Usually a transaction involving goods or
services.

<li>
  **Scenarios:** Buying bread at a bakery, buying a train ticket, booking a
  hotel room, asking for a price in a shop.
</li>
<li>
  **Key phases:** Greeting, asking for the product/service, asking the price,
  paying (simulation), saying goodbye.
</li>

## Official Evaluation Criteria

For level A1, the expectations are adapted to beginners:

**1. Phonetics:** You do not need a perfect accent. You
just need to be understood.

**2. Vocabulary:** Basic lexical repertoire (numbers,
colors, family, simple objects).

**3. Grammar (Morphosyntax):** Ability to make simple
sentences (Subject + Verb) and ask simple questions. Errors are
expected and accepted.

**4. Interaction:** Politeness is crucial ("Bonjour",
"S'il vous plaît", "Merci", "Au revoir").

## Example Role-play (Part 3)

_Scenario: At the bakery._

**Candidate:** "Bonjour Monsieur."

**Examiner:** "Bonjour."

**Candidate:** "Je voudrais une baguette et deux
croissants, s'il vous plaît."

**Examiner:** "Voilà. Ce sera tout ?"

**Candidate:** "Oui, c'est combien ?"

**Examiner:** "3 euros 50."

**Candidate:** "Voilà. Merci, au revoir !"

### Get ready for DELF A1

Use OralPrep to simulate these exact scenarios and get instant
feedback on your pronunciation and sentence structure.

<a href="../../index.html" class="btn-primary">
  Try the Simulator
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