DELE A2 Oral Expression — Topics, Examples, and Tips to Pass

Updated in June 2026 · 10 min read

The oral test of the DELE A2 lasts 12 minutes (plus 12 minutes of preparation) and is conducted in front of two examiners. It is the test that generates the most nerves, but also the most predictable: the topics repeat and the structures you need are limited. With preparation, you can turn it into your best ally.

Structure: the 4 tasks

Task 1 — Prepared Monologue (2-3 minutes)

What they ask you: Talk about a daily topic that you prepare during the 12 minutes of preparation. You are given 2 options and choose one.

Frequent topics:

• Describe your family
• Talk about your work or studies
• Describe your city or neighborhood
• Share your daily routine
• Talk about your favorite vacations
• Describe your house or apartment

Recommended structure: General introduction → 3-4 specific details → conclusion or personal preference.

Example (topic: your city): "I live in Barcelona, it is a very large city on the coast. It has beautiful beaches and many parks. What I like most is the Gothic Quarter because the streets are very old and there are very good restaurants. I also really like the metro because it is easy to get to all places. What I don’t like is that there is a lot of tourism in summer."

Task 2 — Description of a Photograph (2-3 minutes)

What they ask you: They show you a photo of a daily situation. You must describe what you see and answer questions from the examiner.

Typical photos: People eating in a restaurant, a family in a park, people shopping in a market, a group of friends at the beach.

Formula for describing:

• "In the photo, there are..." (people, objects)
• "They are in..." (place)
• "I think they are..." + gerund (eating, talking, playing)
• "The person on the left/right is wearing..." (clothes)
• "It seems that..." (deduction: they are happy, the weather is nice)

Task 3 — Simulated Dialogue (2-3 minutes)

What they ask you: Simulate a real communicative situation with the examiner: buying something in a store, reserving a table, asking for information at a tourist office, complaining about a problem.

Frequent situations:

• Buying clothes: asking for size, price, trying on, paying
• Restaurant: asking for the menu, choosing a dish, asking for the bill
• Hotel: reserving a room, asking about services, schedules
• Doctor: explaining symptoms, understanding instructions
• Transport: buying a ticket, asking for schedules, platform

Key phrases:

• "How much does... cost?" / "Do you have it in another size/color?"
• "I’ll have a..., please"
• "What time does... leave/arrive?"
• "I wanted to reserve..." / "Is it possible...?"

Task 4 — Free Conversation (2-3 minutes)

What they ask you: The examiner asks you questions about your life, likes, and experiences. It is a natural conversation.

Typical questions:

• "What did you do last weekend?"
• "What plans do you have for the holidays?"
• "What do you like to do in your free time?"
• "What is your normal day like?"
• "Do you prefer the city or the countryside? Why?"

The 12 Minutes of Preparation

Before entering with the examiners, you are given 12 minutes and paper to prepare Task 1. Use them like this:

• Minutes 1-2: Read the two options. Choose the one that seems easiest to you (not the most interesting, the easiest).
• Minutes 3-8: Write an outline with 4-5 points you want to mention. DO NOT write complete sentences (you won’t have time to read them).
• Minutes 9-12: Practice quietly. Say your monologue once completely to time yourself.

What the Examiners Evaluate

• Fluency: That you speak without excessive pauses (you don’t need to be fast, but you should be continuous)
• Pronunciation: That you are clearly understood (you don’t need a perfect accent)
• Grammar: That you use present, past, and basic future correctly
• Vocabulary: That you use varied and appropriate words for the topic
• Interaction: That you respond to questions and maintain the conversation

Errors You Should Avoid

• One-word answers: "Do you like cooking?" → "Yes" ✗. Better: "Yes, I really like cooking. On weekends I make pasta and I also like to prepare desserts." ✓
• Long silence: If you don’t know a word, explain it another way. "I don’t remember the word, but it’s the place where you buy medicine" (pharmacy).
• Speaking too fast: Nerves make you speed up. Speak slowly and clearly.
• Reading notes word for word: The outline is a guide, not a text to read.

How to Practice at Home

• Record yourself speaking for 2 minutes on a different topic each day
• Listen to the recording and note errors
• Practice describing photos (use images from Google)
• Simulate dialogues with a friend or in front of the mirror
• Use an app with oral prompts to practice quick responses