Are you interested in moving to Canada, Quebec, or France? How to get extra points by taking French tests like TCF, TEFAQ, TCFQ, TEF Canada, and TEF Exam? Read along.
The acquisition of a new language offers many incentives.
With over 30 French-speaking countries, French is one of the most popular languages across the world.
From Canada immigration to education in France to careers involving languages, there are plenty of reasons to learn French.
With so many advantages to learning French, the ability to speak French can open new doors and create endless and exciting possibilities.
- Importance of TCF and TEF Test
- TEF (Test d’Evaluation de Français)
- Why Take the TEF Exam?
- Types of TEF Exam
- 1. TEF for Studies in France
- 2. TEF for Naturalization
- 3. TEF for the Resident Card
- 4. TEF Canada
- 5. TEFAQ (Test for Access to Quebec)
- TEF Exam Structure
- TCF (Test de Connaissance du Français)
- DELF/DALF Vs. TEF/TEFaQ/TCF/TCFQ
- TCF and TEF Exam in India
- Points to earn for Canada PR by giving TEF/TCF
- How Long does it take to clear TEF or TCF?
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Importance of TCF and TEF Test
The employment opportunity is the most sought after reason to study French.
Today, there are plenty of job opportunities for French experts that require a certain level of qualification in a particular foreign language.
Your French skills in such fields will put you ahead of others in any employee recruitment exercise.
The only way to ensure you have this edge is to sit for a French-language test and gain a certification that will evidence your understanding and ability to speak this language.
It is a standard way to certify one’s French-language ability for work and to enroll in specific programs and study abroad as an international student.
This diploma will enable you to use your language skills in countless careers like medicine, journalism, business, power, law, education, export, engineering, and many more.
There is an array of French-language proficiency tests such as DILF, DELF, DALF, TEF, TCF, TCFQ, TEFAQ, TEF Canada, TEF Exams.
TEF (Test d’Evaluation de Français)
TEF (Test d’Evaluation de Francais) was started by the Paris Île -de-France CCI in 1998.
The French Ministry of National Education, Research and Higher Education officially recognized in 2012.
It is an exam that seeks to test the French linguistic proficiency in people looking to travel, study, or immigrate to France and Naturalize as a French Citizen in France or Canada.
It is one of the recognized proficiency exams in Canada and France.
Why Take the TEF Exam?
TEF is an added benefit for anyone who wants to study in France. It must be taken during the first-year enrolment of the study.
It is also one of the requirements of economic immigration to Canada., as required by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
The TEF is recognized internationally by employers and universities in France, Canada, Francophone countries, and other parts of the globe.
Types of TEF Exam
There are various types of TEF exams.
- TEF for studies (To study in France),
- TEF for Naturalization, i.e., TEF ANF (To get the French citizenship),
- TEF for the resident Card (to get a resident card in France),
- TEF Canada (To Immigrate to Canada and to receive the Canadian citizenship, and
- TEFAQ (To immigrate to Quebec province in Canada).
The TEF and TEFaQ results are valid for two years from the date you took the test.
1. TEF FOR STUDIES IN FRANCE
If you are interested in studying in France, then this is the right exam for you.
The TEF for studies in France is compulsory for any international student applying for the first year of a degree course at a university in France.
The test comprises 4 sections: Oral comprehension, Reading comprehension, Written expression, and Glossary and structure.
2. TEF FOR NATURALIZATION
If you want to become a French citizen and get a French passport, you have to appear for the TEF for the naturalization test.
It is recognized by the French Ministry of the Interior and compulsory for the application for naturalization in France. It comprises two necessary tests: Oral comprehension and Oral Expression.
3. TEF FOR THE RESIDENT CARD
If you aim to get a resident card from the French Government, you have to take TEF for the resident card test. This test comprises four mandatory tests, namely:
- Written comprehension,
- Oral comprehension is a Computer-based quiz,
- Written expression – On a computer, and
- Oral expression – Face-to-face with an examiner. This test is equivalent to DELF A2 level written and oral competency. If you’ve already completed A2, there is no need for this TEF test.
4. TEF CANADA
People seeking to immigrate to Canada and become residents of Canada must take TEF Canada Test to earn additional points.
It is conducted to determine people’s French language skills that fall within the economic immigration program, especially for people seeking to get Canadian citizenship.
For immigration to Canada Federal (including Quebec), four modules are compulsory.
5. TEFAQ (TEST FOR ACCESS TO QUEBEC)
TEFAQ or Test d’Evaluation du français adapté pour le Québec is an examination intended for people who need proof of French proficiency specifically for Quebec immigration.
For immigration to Quebec only, two modules are compulsory: Compréhension Orale and Expression Orale.
The TEFaQ is not the only option if someone is preparing to permanently settle to Quebec.
Instead, applicants may choose to take the TEF or any other French language test approved by the Government of Quebec.
TEF Exam Structure
TEF has four stages, which includes:
- Reading comprehension – 50 questions for 300 points
- Listening comprehension – 60 questions for 360 points
- Written expression – 2 topics for possible 450 points
- Oral expression – (carries 15 minutes per candidate) – 2 topics for 450 points
The immigration service will expect and demand results from the stages mentioned for the Canadian government.
The Canadian level of proficiency is determined by using a seven-level scale that conforms to the norms of CEFR and the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB).
The TEF exams are divided into computer and paper sections.
The exams are scheduled for all months throughout the year, but few tests are conducted only a few times in a year, and the candidate must have attained the age of 16 years.
TCF (Test de Connaissance du Français)
The TCF also follows the same pattern and style as the TEF. There are 5 types of TCF (Test de Connaissance du Français) exam:
- TCF – for personal, academic, or professional reasons,
- TCF DAP (For study in France especially as a first-year undergraduate (license 1),
- TCF for French nationality (to settle in France),
- TCF Canada (for permanent residence in Canada), and
- TCF for Quebec (For PR in Québec province in Canada).
If you intend to live in Quebec, Canada, you need to take the TCFQ (TCF pour le Québec) to test and certify your French proficiency.
It will help the Quebec immigration authorities to verify your immigration application.
Like TEF, these results are also valid for TWO years.
However, both exams share the same goals and purposes.
There are three compulsory sections and two optional sections for TCF, whereas, for TCFQ, there are only two mandatory sections.
DELF/DALF Vs. TEF/TEFaQ/TCF/TCFQ
The main difference between these two types is that the latter is one single test where your score will determine the number of points awarded for French proficiency.
For the DELF/DALF exams in India, you can choose a level A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 as per your proficiency level, and if you pass the exam, you are awarded the points and diploma for that level.
The TCFQ (TCF for Quebec) and TEFaQ (Test for Evaluating French for Access to Quebec) certificate is only valid for your immigration application in Quebec (Canada).
It is the only French examination accepted for the Quebec Federal Skilled Worker Program.
This French certification cannot be used for admission to a French university or any Universities in French-speaking nations.
Unlike the TEF and the TCF, the validity of the DALF never expires.
Since both TEF and TEFaQ results are valid for two years from the date, you took the test, thus, it is not very beneficial for the careers involving French and job prospects outside France and Canada.
TCF and TEF Exam in India
In India, the various TCF, TEF, TCF/TEF exam for Canada/Quebec are organized by the different branches of L’Alliance Française India Network.
Some prominent centers for TCF/TEF exams are New Delhi, Chennai, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Trivandrum, Mumbai, Kolkata etc.
TEF and TCF Exam centers in India are not permanent, and every AF institute doesn’t conduct all exams.
For example, Chennai and Chandigarh have authorized centers for TEF Canada and TEF Quebec, whereas New Delhi, Bhopal, and Kolkata are some official branches for the TCF test in India.
You can contact the AF for the latest update.
The exam fees will depend on the test you sign up for and the country in which you do it.
In India, Fees are between ₹ 15,000 to 25,000, depending on the number of papers.
They conduct most of these exams a few times within a year.
Points to earn for Canada PR by giving TEF/TCF
For French as a second language, you can get 4 points if you score CLB 5/6 in all 4 abilities (reading, writing, speaking, and listening).
It can rise to 12 and 24 points if you get CLB 7/8, and CLB 9/10, respectively.
Besides 4 to 24 points, you can also earn up to 30 additional points (French as your second language) if you have CLB 7 in French and CLB 5 or higher in English, and 15 extra points if you have CLB 7 in French and CLB 4 or lower in English, or not taking an English test at all.
You need compulsory CLB 7 in all 4 sections. The minimum threshold is CLB7 for skill types 0 and A.
To sum up, you can earn between 0 to 54 points based on TEF or TCF scores.
You can get 4 points if you are at an intermediate level (B1).
However, if you get CLB 7 or more (B2, C1, or C2) in all sections, you can earn between 42 to 54 points.
There is no meaningful gain by appearing for TEF or TCF unless you are at a higher intermediate (B2) or advanced level (C1 or C2).
How Long does it take to clear TEF or TCF?
As per the curriculum and previous papers, you need at least CLB 7 of TEFQ, TEFAQ, TEF, or TCF Canada exams.
CLB 7 is more or less equivalent to DELF B2.
Generally, it takes 600-800 hours of classroom studies to complete the entire course of B2.
While a lot depends on the language learning methodology usually, it takes at least 2 years.
Can it be done in say 6 months?
NO. Even if you’re willing to work genuinely hard.
We have designed our French courses as per international standards and guidelines like CEFR, DALF, DELF, TEF, TCF.
If you’re interested in pursuing French classes in Punjab, then Contact Us.