To answer the examiner's questions well in the DELE speaking test, just replying isn't enough: you need to use connectors, justify your opinion, give an example, mention a drawback, defend your idea when challenged and, at higher levels, qualify it. In this article I explain these 6 keys as an examiner, with structures you can learn and use naturally on exam day.
If you prefer to watch it, here's the video (in Spanish):
In which tasks does the examiner ask you questions?
It depends on the level. Some tasks are a monologue where the examiner doesn't intervene, and in others you're asked a series of questions. For those, you need enough resources to answer fully and appropriately.
1. Use connectors and discourse markers
I always say this about monologues, but it also counts when you answer questions, and it's assessed positively.
- To introduce ideas: primero, por un lado, por otro lado.
- To add information: además, también, asimismo.
- To contrast: aunque, sin embargo.
- To conclude: en resumen, en conclusión.
2. Justify every opinion
Saying “pienso que estudiar idiomas es muy importante” and stopping there isn't enough. Always explain why:
- “Es importante porque te da acceso a muchos materiales en otro idioma”.
- “Es importante ya que te permite conocer a personas de otras culturas”.
- “Es importante debido a que te amplía las posibilidades laborales”.
More structures: la razón principal es que… (the main reason is that…), lo importante es que…, desde mi experiencia personal, puedo decir que…
3. Give an example
Examiners love it when you illustrate your ideas with an example from your life or someone you know. Your answer becomes more complete and convincing, and it lets you tell an anecdote where you can show vocabulary and grammar that wouldn't appear in a short answer.
“Considero que es muy importante aprender idiomas, ya que te da acceso a culturas diferentes. Por ejemplo, en mi caso, he podido viajar e interactuar con la gente local en países hispanohablantes, y eso me ha permitido conocer su cultura de una manera más real”.
Structures: por ejemplo, un caso muy conocido es…, un ejemplo sería…, en mi caso, puedo mencionar que…, para ilustrar esto…, imagina que…
4. Mention a drawback too
Don't focus only on the positive. Showing different perspectives enriches your answer.
- “Aunque estudiar idiomas puede ser bastante caro, también hay muchos recursos gratuitos en internet”.
- “Sin embargo, aprender un idioma requiere mucho tiempo y paciencia, y no todo el mundo lo tiene”.
Structures: sin embargo, hay que considerar que…, aunque esto es cierto, también es verdad que…, un posible problema podría ser…, no podemos olvidar que…
5. Defend your idea against a counterargument
Especially at advanced levels, the examiner may disagree with you to see whether you can defend your view. Respond by justifying it again:
- “A pesar de eso, sigo pensando que…” (Even so, I still think that…)
- “Es cierto, pero también hay que tener en cuenta que…”
- “Buena objeción. Aunque esto puede ser válido, no creo que…”
- “Estoy de acuerdo en parte, pero…”
6. Qualify your ideas (B2, C1 and C2)
Similar to the previous point, but more flexible: you don't defend your idea 100%, you adjust it, adding or removing something based on what the other person has said.
- “Aunque es cierto que…, también considero que…”
- “No es que…, sino que…” (It's not that…, but rather that…)
- “Estoy de acuerdo hasta cierto punto, pero…”
- “Ahora que lo pienso, podría decir que…”
- “Desde mi perspectiva…”
- “Aunque entiendo que…, también es verdad que…”
For more ways to give your opinion, read 8 useful expressions to give your opinion without saying “creo que”. For negotiating with conditions, see conditional connectors for the DELE B2 and C1. And if you don't understand a question, here's what to say to ask for it to be repeated.
FAQ
What does the examiner value when I answer their questions?
That your answers are complete and coherent: that you justify, give examples, use connectors and show different perspectives, not just that you reply.
Is it bad to change my mind during the conversation?
No. Qualifying your opinion based on what the other person says shows flexibility and good command of the language, especially at advanced levels.
What if the examiner disagrees with me?
It's normal, especially at higher levels: they want to see how you defend your idea. Justify it again with structures like “A pesar de eso, sigo pensando que…”.
Do these tips work for every level?
The first four, yes. Defending and qualifying your ideas matters more at B2, C1 and C2. If you're taking the A2, also read what the examiner asks in the DELE A2 speaking test.
Summary
- Connect your ideas with discourse markers.
- Justify every opinion and give an example.
- Mention a drawback.
- Defend your idea when challenged.
- At higher levels, qualify your opinions.
Resources to prepare the DELE speaking test
I have courses for every level, from A2 to C2, that you can follow at your own pace from home. I go task by task explaining what to do and what not to do to get a better score, with my tips as an examiner: DELE preparation courses.
For free resources and reminders before each exam session, join the newsletter: recursos.aporeldele.com/boletin.
¡A por el DELE! 🇪🇸
