TEF Speaking Section B: convincing your interlocutor

Argue, insist, and handle objections so the exchange stays alive for the full task instead of collapsing after one "non".

AdvancedScoreRoute9 min

In Section B of the TEF Canada oral, you must persuade someone to do or accept something — try a product, come to an event, change their plans. The examiner (playing your interlocutor) will resist, and that resistance is a gift: every objection is a chance to argue again. Candidates who score well treat the first « non » as the start of the conversation, not the end.

Build an argument, don't just assert

A persuasive turn has three moves: state the benefit, back it with a reason, and connect it to the person you're talking to. Saying « C'est bien » convinces nobody; saying why it is good FOR THEM does. Use benefit-focused framing: what does the other person gain?

Je vous assure que ça vaut vraiment le coup : vous gagnerez du temps, et surtout vous éviterez tous ces déplacements inutiles.

I promise you it's really worth it: you'll save time, and above all you'll avoid all those pointless trips.

Insistence phrases that stay polite

Escalating persuasion without becoming rude

Function	French phrase	Tone
reassure / rassurer	Je vous assure que…	confiant / confident
promise value / promettre	Vous ne le regretterez pas.	engageant / warm
invite to try / inviter	Essayez, vous verrez bien.	léger / light
counter softly / nuancer	Je comprends, mais justement…	respectueux / respectful
final push / relance finale	Faites-moi confiance, ça en vaut la peine.	chaleureux / heartfelt

Handling objections in three steps

The acknowledge–bridge–counter pattern

Acknowledge: « Je comprends tout à fait votre hésitation. »
Bridge: « … mais justement, c'est là que ça devient intéressant… »
Counter with a new benefit: « … parce que vous n'aurez rien à payer si ça ne vous convient pas. »

Je comprends que vous soyez occupé, mais justement, ça ne vous prendra que dix minutes, et vous pourrez le faire de chez vous.

I understand you're busy, but that's exactly why — it'll only take ten minutes, and you can do it from home.

Keep the exchange alive by always ending your turn with a question or a nudge (« Alors, qu'en dites-vous ? »). That hands the floor back and forces the interlocutor to react — which gives you your next opening to argue again.

Original ScoreRoute lesson — written for TEF Canada / TCF Canada preparation.

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