206. What Grammar and Vocabulary Should You Review for the DELE C1 Speaking Test?

Hey DELECASTERS,

Just like in the previous podcast episode, I’m going to walk you through everything you need to review to get ready for the Speaking Test of the DELE C1 exam. And just like before, the first step is to analyze the instructions for each task—because they tell us exactly what to study and practice. In the case of the C1 level, it’s really about knowing what to practice.

Let me remind you that the test is now officially called:
Test of Oral Expression, Mediation, and Interaction

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TASK 1: Oral Presentation on a Topic (3–5 minutes)

You’ll need to give an oral presentation based on a text you’ll read beforehand. You’ll have between three and five minutes to complete this task.

The examiner will evaluate the following:

• Mediation and task completion
• Accuracy
• Fluency
• Range

Essentially, your job is to summarize the text and then give your opinion on it.

You can think of this monologue or presentation as having two main parts:

1. Objective summary of the article (no personal opinion here).
2. Evaluation of the article and your opinion on the topic.

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Part 1: The Summary

A summary is a type of expository text, so it’s worth reviewing the typical structure of expository writing in your own language—Google or ChatGPT can help with that!

Right now, I’m writing a book to help students prepare for this part of the exam (still in progress if you’re reading this in February 2024), but I’ve already covered this in my book about the Written Test, which you can find on my website DELEexam.com.

Any good oral presentation should be well structured. So here’s the typical layout for your summary:

• Introduction – Start with a sentence that introduces the topic of the article and explains the main idea.
• Body – Clearly explain the main and supporting ideas.
• Conclusion – Wrap up the summary by tying everything back to the general idea mentioned in the introduction.

This means you’ll need to review discourse markers for all three sections (intro, body, and conclusion). You’ll find plenty of these in textbooks or online.

The core of your presentation is where you present the main and secondary ideas without mixing in your opinion. Keep in mind that examiners now have a list of the article’s key points, which they’ll use to check how well you covered them.

Most likely, the article will present various ideas and arguments to support them. So make sure to review:

1. Discourse organizers – to structure your entire presentation.
2. Connectors – to refer back to ideas from the article.
3. Verbs and expressions – to convey the author’s stance, such as “The author argues that…” or “According to the author…”
4. Introductory phrases – to highlight key ideas: e.g., “The author wants to emphasize that…” for main points and other phrases for secondary ones.
5. Argumentative and counterargumentative connectors – to explain or contrast ideas.
6. Connectors for justification – to explain causes, effects, and reasoning.
7. Formal vocabulary – related to common DELE topics. Reading articles or listening to podcasts on these topics will help you not only with this oral task but also with the Written Test and your general Spanish skills. That’s why I’m creating podcast episodes focused on topic-based vocabulary and practice exercises.

One of the criteria for evaluation is Range, which basically means: What level of vocabulary are you using?

If you haven’t shared your opinion when there’s one minute left, the examiner will remind you so you can include it in time.

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Part 2: Your Opinion and Evaluation of the Topic

Make it clear when you’re switching from the summary to your opinion and evaluation.

You’ll need to review and practice the following:

1. How to introduce and express opinions.
2. How to evaluate – using expressions like “I think it’s important that…” (with the subjunctive), or expressing certainty like “It’s true that…” (with the indicative).
   • Make sure to study which connectors require the subjunctive vs. indicative.
3. Argumentative and counterargumentative connectors – for example: however, although, whereas, on the other hand (also useful in other parts of the exam).
4. How to justify your opinion – explain why you think something, using connectors to show reasoning, causes, consequences, etc.
5. Phrases to clarify or give examples – like “that is,” “for example,” “such as…”

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TASK 2: Interview on the Topic (4–6 minutes)

You’ll take part in an interview with the examiner about the same topic from Task 1. This section lasts between four and six minutes.

The examiner will assess:

• Your ability to respond and complete the task
• Accuracy
• Fluency
• Range

You’ll be asked three types of questions:

1. To expand on the topic
2. What would you do? (hypothetical questions)
3. Personal questions related to the topic

Here’s what to practice:

1. Oral conversation strategies – typical fillers and reactions in spoken Spanish: well, actually, you know…
2. Introducing and expressing agreement or disagreement
3. Evaluating ideas – again, expressions like “I think it’s important that…” or “It’s true that…”
4. Referring back to ideas – from the article or your earlier presentation.
5. Conditional sentences – for hypothetical questions: “If I were in that situation, I would…”
6. Past tenses – for personal questions that refer to past experiences.

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TASK 3: Informal Conversation – Negotiation (4–6 minutes)

You’ll have to negotiate with the examiner to reach an agreement on a specific issue. This part also lasts between four and six minutes.

The examiner will evaluate:

• Your interaction and task completion
• Accuracy
• Fluency
• Range

This task can’t be prepared in advance. And even though the overall tone of the DELE exam is formal, this is the most informal task of the speaking section. It’s a role-play situation where you’re expected to negotiate and can even interrupt the examiner—because real conversations work that way!

Here’s what to practice:

1. Conversational strategies – especially how to interrupt politely or disagree:
   “Well, sure, but…” / “Yes, that’s true, but keep in mind that…” / “Yes, but that depends on…”
2. Expressing opinions and disagreement
3. Supporting or challenging arguments

If you’re aiming for a strong performance in the DELE C1 oral exam, mastering grammar and vocabulary is key—but don’t forget that this is a speaking test. So review, yes—but practice out loud even more.

And, if you want to prepare for the DELE exam, at any level or study Spanish language , you can contact me through this CONTACT FORM: