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French is one of the most widely used languages in the world. For many companies or organizations around the world, hiring multilingual staff is a priority. If you are willing to take French ahead as a career then it is highly recommended to pursue either TEF or TCF. This not only certifies your proficiency in French but also helps you to know the level you are at and the most important scope for improvement. In this blog, we will go through the various details of TEF vs TCF.
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What is TEF?
TEF (Test d’Evaluation de Français) is a language proficiency test for non-native French speakers who want to certify their level of the French language for professional, academic or personal purposes. The exam consists of 5 tests that are the French Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, the French Ministry of the Interior, the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada, the Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration and, the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration. Types of TEF exams are as follows:
- TEF for studies
- TEF for Naturalization
- TEF for the resident Card
- TEF Canada and
- TEFAQ
What is TCF?
TCf (test de Connaissance du français) is a language proficiency test for non-native French speakers who want to evaluate and certify their level of French for the purpose of professional, academic or personal reasons. The test contains oral and written comprehension and is not considered as hard. The TCF exam is specially designed by FEI (french education international ) and is accredited by the French Ministry of Education .this test basically to test non-native French speakers’ French language abilities. There are approximately 600 exam centres in more than 140 countries including France all around the world. The lowest level of the exam is A1 which indicates the beginners level whereas C1 and C2 are top fluency levels.
TCF vs TEF: Overview
Both TEF and TCF are for the evaluation of French proficiency for non-native speakers. But both the exams have different purposes as follows
| TEF | TCF |
| This is a test to apply for permanent residents. It is proved and accepted by Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés Culturelles du Québec (MICC). There are two ways to attempt that are paper-based and computer-based. | This is a test to apply for permanent residents. It is proved and accepted by Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés Culturelles du Québec (MICC). There are two ways to attempt that are paper-based and computer-based. |
TEF Exam Syllabus
The following is a summary of the TEF exam syllabus:
- In the listening test, MCQs are based on a video recording. This component assesses the aspirant’s ability to analyze and comprehend common words and expressions.
- To assess a candidate’s ability in language structures, grammar and vocabulary are checked. The questions will range from identifying lexical issues to choosing a proper language.
- The reading portion evaluates a student’s ability to read conversations or publications.
- The speaking exam is optional; you will have a 15-minute one-on-one chat with the examiner. On the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, the questions will vary in difficulty from A1 to C2 (CEFR). The examiner will ask you to speak about any experience, place, or person in order to measure your speaking abilities.
- It is also possible to take a written exam. This exam will have three activities for you to complete. For the first task, you must write a concise message of no more than 120 words. The second task requires you to compose a 150-word letter, message, or note. For the final assignment, the candidate must produce two opinion articles of approximately 180 words each.
TCF Exam syllabus
The following is a summary of the TCF exam syllabus:
- Listening Test: MCQs are based on a video clip. The aspirant’s ability to analyze and grasp common words and phrases is tested in this part.
- To assess a candidate’s ability in language structures, grammar and vocabulary are checked. The questions will range from recognizing lexical problems to selecting the appropriate phrase.
- Reading Test: Evaluates a student’s ability to read conversations or publications.
- Speaking Test: is optional; the examiner will conduct a 15-minute one-on-one conversation with you. On the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, the questions will vary in complexity from A1 to C2 (CEFR). To assess your speaking skills, the examiner will ask you to speak about any experience, location, or person.
- Written Test: You’ll have three activities to complete in this test. For the first task, you must write a concise message of no more than 120 words. The second task requires you to compose a 150-word letter, message, or note. For the final assignment, the candidate must produce two opinion articles of approximately 180 words each.
TEF vs TCF: Exam Pattern
| Sections | TEF | TCF |
| Speaking | 2 topics for 450 points | – |
| Listening | 60 questions for 360 points | 29 questions in 25 minutes |
| Writing | 2 topics for possible 450 points | 18 questions in 15 minutes |
| Reading | 50 questions for 300 points | 29 questions in 45 minutes |
TCF Optional Test
| Speaking | Written Expression (1 hr) |
| Writing | Oral Expression (12 min) |
TEF vs TCF: Application Process
| TEF | TCF |
| Contact the centre with the help of the following link for more details about session dates, prices or for any related doubts about the sessions available near you. | Contact the centre with the help of the following link for more details about session dates, and prices or for any related doubts about the sessions available near you. |
TEF vs TCF: Validity
| TEF | TCF |
| The validity of the TEF exam is 2 years starting from the date when you took the exam. Further, you can make a number of attempts with a 30 days gap between 2 attempts in any desired location. | The validity period of the TCF exam is 2 years from the date of taking the exam. |
What is the TEF and TCF Exam Process?
The following is the TEF and TCF exam method that every applicant must follow when attending.
- Check in with your supervisor at the exam center before taking the exam. Bring a copy of your exam notification email as well as a government-issued photo ID card, such as an Aadhar card, passport, pan card, or voter id card.
- You’ll be sent to your designated seat for the exam when your documents have been verified.
- During the exam, you are not permitted to bring anything other than a pen and your identity card. If you do not comply, you will be asked to leave the room.
- You will not be permitted to enter the exam if you arrive late and the exam has already begun.
- Candidates found guilty of misconduct, fraud, or disruption will be restricted from taking tests for a set amount of time, as determined by CCI Paris for TEF and CIEP for TCF.
TEF vs TCF: Results and Fees
Let us now check out the procedure for results and fees.
TEF
The fee for TEF is 50 € or INR 4,200.5. After evaluation, you will receive an email for the results within 4 to 6 weeks, which would contain a link to access your secure digital area and obtain your statement of results.
TCF
The fee for TCF depends upon the situation ( cost of living, area, etc). You will receive an official certificate 4 to 8 weeks after the test for results that shows the score obtained by the candidate in each module.
TEF vs TCF: Test Scores
TEF
| Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) | Speaking 310 – 348 Reading 207 – 232 Writing 310 – 348 Listening 249 – 279 |
| Federal Skilled Trades (FST) | Speaking 226 – 270 Reading 121 – 150 Writing 181 – 225 Listening 181 – 225 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | Speaking 226 – 270 Reading 151 – 180 Writing 226 – 270 Listening 181 – 216 |
TCF
| Elementary (A1) | 100-199 points |
| Lower Intermediate (A2) | 200-299 points |
| Intermediate (B1) | 300-399 points |
| Upper-Intermediate (B2) | 400-499 points |
| Advanced (C1) | 500-599 points |
| Superior (C2) | 600-699 points |
Preparation Tips
Whether it is TEF or TCF, the most important thing is to prepare well. You can prepare by going through the sample papers, that gives a certain idea about what TEF or TCF is. Thereafter, watching french language movies and reading books helps as well. Other than that all you need is guidance from a professional.
Job Profiles
The job profiles after TEF or TCF are as follows:
- Translator
- Tour guide
- Teacher
- French jobs in MNC, BPO, IT and call centres
- French jobs in foreign embassies
- Career opportunities as a translator and interpreter
- travel tourism, leisure and hospitality industry jobs
- French in import and export business
- Publishing Editor
- Proofreader
- Flight Attendant
- Diplomat
FAQ
Both have equal importance and are for different purposes. Therefore you must choose what you exactly want and also what you want to pursue ahead.
Both the exams are for the purpose of French level evaluation and also immigration. So it’s nothing like hard or easy, it is all about testing your French skills.
The level of French needed for TEF Canada is a minimum of 7. But it is important to improve and pass with flying colours eliminating the minimum level.
TCF Canada is different from TCF Quebec and it is highly recommended to take TCF Quebec if migrating to Quebec as it is approved by Quebec authorities.
Both the tests are for French proficiency but have different purposes. If you want to go ahead with the French language, both are great options available. Hope this blog helped you with the details about TCF vs TEF! Stay tuned with Leverage Edu for more informative content.
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