If you are looking for advice on how to prepare for DELE C1 oral exam this entry was made for you. Today, we will focus on the sections of the speaking part and how they are graded, which will help you prepare for the test. Ready to start?
What tasks do I have to do in the DELE C1 Speaking part?
The speaking part is divided in 3 tasks:
Task 1. Reading and summing up a text.
First, you will choose between two texts. Once you have selected one, you will read it through and takes notes. Then, you will present the content orally during 3 to 5 minutes. The content should be a complete summary of the text and include the point of view expressed by the author (when needed).
Task 2. Debating with the examiner about the text
In this task, you speak with the interviewer based on your opinion of the text presented in the previous task. You must answer the interviewer’s questions by explaining your opinion in a clear and organized manner.
Task 3. Talking about newspaper headlines.
You will participate in a conversation with the interviewer to reach an agreement, based on graphic or visual stimuli.
How is the DELE C1 speaking part graded?
In these 3 tasks, the criteria to evaluate you are based on the following parameters, which are key to understand how to prepare for the DELE C1 oral exam:
Coherence
Coherence means your speech is has a clear, marked and easy-to-follow structure. This is particularly important in the first task, where you will have to present what you’ve read.
It’s important that the speech you produce is coherent and cohesive because it makes use varied, complete and appropriate organizational structures, connectors and other cohesion mechanisms. Here are some expressions which can help you structure your speech:
For the second and third task, it is particularly important that you are able to speak with ease and dexterity, capturing and using non-verbal and intonation keys without apparent effort.
You will also have to reference what was said by the interviewer. In order to do so, you can use the following expressions:
Fluency
This descriptor analyzes if you can express yourself spontaneously, in detail and fluently, using natural and colloquial expressions and avoiding excessive pauses in the discourse.
The best way to prepare for this is by practicing with similar topics as the ones presented in the exam (politics, education, environment, society…) and in the same format (presentation and debate).
A second aspect that is taken into consideration is your pronunciation. It must be “clear and natural”. In order to practice this, take a look at these two previous entries:
Lastly, you must vary the intonation to express nuances of meaning. Take a look at this website to know more about it.
Correction
You will have to prove a consistent grammatical control. Here is a list of grammar content you can review for the exam which is particularly important to master at a C1 level:
Reach
You will need a broad linguistic repertoire and you must use it correctly and appropriately. For that, here are some aspects to take into consideration:
Register means you adapt what you say and the means of expressing it to the situation given. This means your register will have to be more formal than in a daily conversation with friends.
You will also need to know how to difference linguistic forms to accurately convey nuances of meaning, emphasize, differentiate and eliminate ambiguity. In order to help you, you can practice writing synonyms and antonyms, nominalization, collocations as well as lexical fields. Not sure where to start? Take a look at the Instituto Cervante’s inventory.
Finally, you should have a good command of idiomatic and colloquial expressions. Check out our Instagram this month to help you in some of them:
To sum up
Although it might seem like a large task to undertake, it is important you break it up in small sections and practice as often as possible so that you feel ready and prepared the day of the exam.
First, familiarize yourself with the structure of the exam, then, with the grading system. Practice with mock exams and get the best grade possible!
What about you? How are you preparing for the DELE C1 exam? Any other tips or advice? Comment below and follow us on Facebook or Instagram for our latest updates.
