How does TCF Canada speaking task 2 work?

Q: How does TCF Canada speaking task 2 work?

Task 2 lasts 5 min 30, that is 2 minutes to prepare then 3 min 30 of dialogue. The examiner reads you an everyday situation and plays a role. You speak first and you lead the conversation, asking questions to get information. You may take notes on the sheet provided, not on the topic card.

Checked November 1, 2026

Task 2 lasts 5 min 30, that is 2 minutes to prepare then 3 min 30 of dialogue. The examiner reads you an everyday situation and plays a role. You speak first and you lead the conversation, asking questions to get information. You may take notes on the sheet provided, not on the topic card.

What the examiner tells you

In the sample paper from France Éducation international (FEI), the instructions read to the candidate say roughly this.

You must ask questions to get information.
You have at most 2 minutes to prepare your questions. You may take notes on the sheet, but not write on the topic.
After the preparation, or earlier if you are ready, the interview starts. You speak first and you lead the conversation.
The interview lasts 3 min 30. You may ask for details or for something to be repeated.

The instructions say who the examiner is, for example an association manager or a volunteer applicant. The handbook calls it “getting information in an everyday situation”.

The kind of topics

The five topics in FEI’s sample are like these.

The examiner runs an association and you ask how it works.
You are recruiting volunteers and the examiner is a candidate.
You need someone to look after your cat and the examiner offers.
You want a cultural outing and ask the examiner for advice.
You ask about public transport.

The topic often lists in brackets the points to cover, for example frequency, timetables and fares. Start from those.

A method for the 2 minutes

Note the examiner’s role and the register, vous or tu.
Write 6 to 8 questions as keywords, one per bracketed point, plus two follow-ups (price, timing, conditions).
Prepare an opening line that sets the scene and a closing line that thanks and sums up.

During the dialogue

Vary the question forms, « Est-ce que… », inversion, « Combien… », « Qu’est-ce qu’il faut… ».
React to each answer before moving on (« Ah, et c’est le même tarif le week-end ? »).
Fill the 3 min 30. If you run out of questions, ask for details on an answer.
If the examiner answers in one word, follow up with « C’est-à-dire ? », « Vous pouvez me donner un exemple ? » or « Et dans ce cas, comment ça se passe ? ».

For the association topic, possible questions are « Depuis quand l’association existe-t-elle ? » (since when?), « Combien de bénévoles y travaillent ? » (how many volunteers?), « Comment est-elle financée ? » (how is it funded?) and « Qu’est-ce que je peux faire pour aider ? » (how can I help?).

FEI assesses, among other things, your ability to “ask questions suited to the situation”. All three tasks are in the speaking guide. NCLC Prep marks writing, not speaking, but you can test a writing task there for free.