DELE B1 oral expression: the 4 tasks explained with examples

Updated in June 2026 · 13 min read

How the DELE B1 oral test works

The oral expression and interaction test of the DELE B1 lasts approximately 15 minutes and is conducted in front of two examiners: one who converses with you and another who takes notes and evaluates. Before entering the room, you have 15 minutes to prepare for tasks 1 and 2.

The examiners are not looking for perfection. They evaluate your ability to communicate effectively in Spanish at an intermediate level. You can make grammatical errors as long as they do not hinder the understanding of the message.

What do the examiners evaluate?

The evaluation criteria are divided into three main areas:

• Coherence and fluency: that your speech makes sense, is organized, and flows without excessive pauses.
• Grammatical and lexical accuracy: appropriate use of verb tenses, agreement, varied vocabulary, and appropriateness to the topic.
• Pronunciation and prosody: clear pronunciation, natural intonation, and appropriate rhythm.

Task 1: Prepared monologue (3-4 minutes)

In this task, you must give a brief presentation on a topic from everyday life. You receive a sheet with a topic and several guiding questions that help you structure your monologue. You have 15 minutes to prepare it before entering.

Common topics for task 1

The topics are usually personal experiences or everyday situations:

• A memorable trip you have taken
• Your daily routine or that of someone you know
• An important event in your life (wedding, graduation, moving)
• Your hobbies and free time
• A work or educational experience

Useful phrases for task 1

• To start: "I am going to talk about...", "I would like to share my experience with..."
• To organize: "Firstly...", "On the other hand...", "Additionally...", "Finally..."
• To give an opinion: "In my opinion...", "I believe that...", "From my point of view..."
• To conclude: "In summary...", "To finish, I would like to say that..."

Example of structure

If the topic is "A memorable trip," your monologue could follow this structure:

1. Introduction: where you went, when, and with whom (30 seconds)
2. Development: what you did, what you liked most, any anecdotes (2 minutes)
3. Conclusion: why it was memorable, if you would recommend it (30 seconds)

Task 2: Photograph description (2-3 minutes)

You receive a photograph and must describe it, speculate about what is happening, and give your opinion. You also prepare this task during the previous 15 minutes.

What is expected in task 2

It is not enough to describe what you see. The examiners expect you to:

• Describe the scene: people, place, actions, objects
• Speculate about the context: who they are, what relationship they have, why they are there
• Express your opinion or relate the image to your personal experience

Useful phrases for task 2

• To describe: "In the image, you can see...", "In the foreground, there is...", "In the background, there is..."
• To speculate: "It seems that...", "They are probably...", "It could be that...", "It gives the impression that..."
• To give an opinion: "This image reminds me of...", "Personally, I think that...", "It seems to me a situation..."

Common mistake in task 2

Many candidates limit themselves to listing what they see ("there is a man, there is a table, there is a dog") without developing ideas. Remember: describing is just the first step. You must interpret and give your opinion to demonstrate your B1 level.

Task 3: Conversation with the examiner (3-4 minutes)

The examiner asks you questions about a topic related to everyday life. Unlike tasks 1 and 2, this task is NOT prepared in advance. It is a spontaneous conversation.

Common topics for task 3

• Eating habits and health
• Technology and social media
• Environment and recycling
• Education and language learning
• Work and future plans
• Leisure, sports, and culture

Useful phrases for task 3

• To buy time: "Well, that's an interesting question...", "Let me think..."
• To express agreement/disagreement: "I agree with that", "I'm not entirely sure..."
• To ask for clarification: "Could you repeat the question?", "Are you referring to...?"
• To develop: "For example...", "What I mean is that...", "That is..."

Key advice for task 3

Do not respond with short yes or no answers. Develop your responses. If you are asked "Do you like cooking?", do not just say "Yes, I like it." Say something like: "Yes, I quite like cooking. I usually cook on weekends because I don't have much time during the week. My favorite dish is paella because it reminds me of vacations in Spain."

Task 4: Negotiation or simulated situation (2-3 minutes)

In this task, the examiner and you simulate a real communicative situation. You must reach an agreement or solve a problem together. This task is also not prepared in advance.

Common situations for task 4

• Organizing a birthday party with a friend
• Deciding on a vacation destination with your roommate
• Planning a gift for a mutual friend
• Resolving a problem with a neighbor
• Organizing an event at work or university

Useful phrases for task 4

• To propose: "What do you think if...?", "I propose that...", "What if we do...?"
• To negotiate: "I understand your point, but...", "Don't you think it would be better...?", "We could reach an agreement..."
• To accept: "I think it's a good idea", "Okay, let's do it that way", "You're right, it's better this way"
• To politely decline: "I'm not sure that will work because...", "I would prefer another option because..."

Common mistake in task 4

Some candidates accept everything the examiner proposes without negotiating. Remember that the goal is to demonstrate your interaction ability. Propose alternatives, express preferences, and justify your opinions.

How to make the most of the 15 minutes of preparation

The 15 minutes prior are gold. Use them like this:

1. Minutes 1-2: read the instructions for tasks 1 and 2 calmly. Make sure you understand what they are asking you.
2. Minutes 3-8: prepare task 1. Write an outline with main ideas, not a complete text. Note down connectors you want to use.
3. Minutes 9-13: prepare task 2. Look at the photo and note: description, speculation, personal opinion.
4. Minutes 14-15: review your notes. Mentally practice the first sentences of each task.

Important: you can bring your notes into the exam room and consult them, but do not read directly from them. Use them as a guide, not as a script.

Tips for managing nerves

It is normal to be nervous. The examiners know this and do not penalize you for it. But these tips will help you manage anxiety:

• Practice out loud: the more you have spoken in Spanish before the exam, the more natural it will come to you on the big day.
• Breathe before starting: take 3 deep breaths before entering the room.
• Do not apologize for mistakes: if you make a mistake, correct yourself and move on. Do not say "sorry, my Spanish is bad".
• Use natural fillers: "well", "so", "let's see" give you time to think without awkward silence.
• Remember that it is a conversation: the examiners want you to do well. They are not your enemies.