The TEF Canada speaking test lasts 15 minutes and is conducted face to face with an examiner. It has two parts with very different goals:
- Section A: 5 minutes — obtain information
- Section B: 10 minutes — present arguments and persuade
The conversation is recorded for assessment. The examiner follows the task and evaluation procedure; their role is not to give you a language lesson or help complete an answer.
Knowing what each section is asking for makes the test feel much less unpredictable.
TEF Canada Speaking Test at a Glance
| Section | Time | Main Task |
|---|---|---|
| Section A | 5 minutes | Ask questions to obtain information |
| Section B | 10 minutes | Present arguments and persuade |
Section A: Obtaining Information
In Section A, you receive a document such as an advertisement or announcement. You take the role of someone who wants more information.
The examiner plays the person connected to the service, event, product, course, rental or activity. Your job is to ask relevant questions and keep the exchange going.
This section is not mainly about giving a speech. It tests whether you can:
- Form questions
- React to answers
- Request clarification
- Obtain relevant information
- Maintain a natural exchange
If the document already states the price, simply asking “How much is it?” without a reason shows limited use of the available information. Better questions explore what is not clear.
Useful Areas to Explore
- Dates, times and duration
- Price, deposits and what is included
- Location, transportation or parking
- Eligibility, experience or equipment required
- Cancellation, changes or conditions
- Availability, group size or next steps
Listen to each answer before asking the next question.
A rigid list of prepared questions can sound unnatural and may produce repetition. Short follow-up questions such as “Is that included?” or “What happens if I need to cancel?” show that you are participating in a real exchange.
Section B: Arguing to Persuade
In Section B, you normally introduce the document or opportunity to another person and try to persuade them.
The examiner raises objections or doubts. You need to respond with relevant reasons, examples and alternatives rather than simply repeating that the idea is good.
Begin by presenting the advertisement clearly enough that the other person understands what you are proposing.
Candidates sometimes jump directly into persuasion and leave out essential information from the document. That makes the argument harder to follow.
A Natural Way to Organize Section B
1. Introduce the offer
Explain what the offer or activity is and why you thought of the other person.
2. Give a relevant benefit
Give one concrete benefit that relates to their situation.
3. Listen to the objection
Allow the other person to explain their concern instead of interrupting.
4. Respond to the objection
Answer with a reason, example or practical solution.
5. Add another argument
Introduce another distinct argument and invite a response.
6. Propose a next step
Close by suggesting a realistic next step.
What Is Being Evaluated?
A strong performance combines task completion with language ability.
Examiners consider whether you:
- Communicate effectively
- Organize your ideas
- Use suitable vocabulary
- Use appropriate sentence structures
- Maintain an understandable exchange
- Respond appropriately to the other person
A memorized introduction cannot compensate for questions that do not fit the document or arguments that do not answer the examiner’s objections.
The key is not to sound perfect. The key is to complete the task while maintaining a clear and relevant interaction.
Common Speaking Mistakes
Avoid these common problems:
- Talking over the examiner instead of reacting to what was said
- Giving information in Section A when the task is to obtain information
- Asking several unrelated questions in one long sentence
- Failing to present the advertisement before trying to persuade in Section B
- Repeating the same argument using different words
- Using a memorized script that does not match the prompt
How to Practise Effectively
Practise aloud with another person.
Give your partner a simple advertisement and ask them to:
- Answer briefly during Section A
- Raise objections actively during Section B
Record yourself occasionally and check:
- Are your questions clear?
- Are your arguments distinct?
- Do your responses connect to what the other person actually said?
- Are you asking follow-up questions naturally?
- Are you able to keep the conversation going?
Practise Under Real Time Limits
Use the actual time limits during practice.
Five minutes of questions is longer than it sounds when you have prepared only four ideas.
Likewise, ten minutes of persuasion can quickly become repetitive if you do not have a range of arguments, examples and responses.
On Exam Day
Bring the correct ID, arrive early and follow the examiner’s instructions.
The goal is not to eliminate every hesitation. Natural conversation includes pauses and reformulation.
Instead, focus on three things:
Complete the task.
Stay engaged.
Make your meaning clear.
CSA Toronto offers official TEF Canada and TEFAQ speaking sessions at its Brampton test centre.
