DELF B2 Speaking Structure & Evaluation Criteria | OralPrep Guide
The DELF B2 Production Orale gives you 30 minutes of preparation followed by approximately 20 minutes of speaking: a 5-7 minute structured monologue (exposé) and a 10-13 minute debate with the examiner. Since 2022 the official grid scores 5 criteria in bands (0/1/3/5) out of 25 points, with an eliminatory minimum of 5/25.
The DELF B2 Production Orale is the gateway to university in France. At this level, you are expected to be able to construct a structured argument and defend your opinion spontaneously.
The format is unique: you have 30 minutes of preparation and approximately 20 minutes of speaking (Monologue + Debate).
Struggling to find arguments?
OralPrep gives you topics like “Remote Work” or “Ecology” and helps you structure your “Plan” (Introduction, Arguments, Conclusion).
Practice B2 Argumentation
Structure of the Production Orale DELF B2
Unlike lower levels, there is only one exercise, but split into two phases:
1. The Preparation (30 minutes)
Before meeting the examiner, you draw two short documents (usually articles of about 150-200 words). You choose one. During these 30 minutes, you must:
- Read the text and identify the theme.
2. The Monologue “Exposé” (5 to 7 minutes)
You present your reflection to the examiner without interruption.
Introduction: Present the document, state the issue (problématique), and announce your plan (“Dans un premier temps… ensuite…”).
Development: Present your arguments clearly. Use connectors (“D’une part…”, “Par ailleurs…”, “En revanche…”).
3. The Debate (Débat) (10 to 13 minutes)
Once you finish, the examiner will ask you questions. They might play the “devil’s advocate” to test your ability to defend your point of view.
Goal: Maintain your position, or nuance it, but always justifying yourself.
Key skill: Reacting to counter-arguments (“Je comprends votre point de vue, mais…”, “Il est vrai que…, cependant…”).
Official Evaluation Criteria
Since 2022, the official France Éducation International grid scores five criteria in bands (0 / 1 / 3 = B2 level / 5 = B2+) out of 25 points: task fulfilment of the monologue (exposé), task fulfilment of the interaction (débat), lexis, morphosyntax and phonological control. Eliminatory minimum: 5/25. In practice, this is what makes the difference:
1. Monologue structure (task fulfilment): Did you announce a plan? Is your thinking logical? Did you hold the 5-7 minutes?
2. Holding your ground in the débat (task fulfilment): Do you maintain and nuance your position? Do you concede before counter-arguing with examples?
3. Lexis: Broad, precise vocabulary. Ability to vary synonyms to avoid repetition.
4. Morphosyntax: Good control of complex structures (subjunctive, hypothetical clauses, relative pronouns). Correcting your own mistakes counts in your favour.
5. Phonology: Clear pronunciation and natural intonation sustained across the full 20 minutes.
Want to see it applied end to end? Check the complete worked DELF B2 speaking example (document + model exposé + débat).
Example: How to start your Introduction
Topic: Smartphones in schools.
“Le document que j’ai lu traite de l’interdiction des portables à l’école. L’auteur souligne que cela améliore la concentration. Cela nous amène à nous demander : L’école doit-elle être un sanctuaire déconnecté pour favoriser l’apprentissage ? (Problématique). Pour répondre, nous verrons d’abord les avantages pour l’attention des élèves, puis nous discuterons des limites de cette interdiction à l’ère numérique.” (Plan).
Master the Debate
Use OralPrep to simulate the debate part. The AI will challenge your arguments just like a real examiner.
Start B2 Simulation
Frequently asked questions
How long is the DELF B2 speaking exam?
About 20 minutes with the examiner — a 5-7 minute monologue (exposé) followed by a 10-13 minute debate — plus 30 minutes of preparation beforehand.
What are the parts of the DELF B2 oral exam?
A single exercise in two phases: the exposé, a structured monologue of 5-7 minutes based on a short document you choose, and the débat, 10-13 minutes of questions where you defend your point of view against the examiner.
Do I get preparation time in the DELF B2 speaking test?
Yes, 30 minutes. You draw two short documents of about 150-200 words, choose one, define a problématique and prepare a plan with arguments and examples.
How is the DELF B2 oral exam graded?
Since 2022 the official grid scores five criteria in bands (0 / 1 / 3 = B2 level / 5 = B2+) out of 25 points: task fulfilment of the exposé, task fulfilment of the débat, lexis, morphosyntax and phonological control. The eliminatory minimum is 5/25.
Can I practice the DELF B2 oral exam without a teacher?
Yes. OralPrep simulates the exposé and the debate with AI feedback scored against the official DELF B2 criteria, so you can rehearse the full exam format on your own.