Succeed in your TCF, DELF, DALF
With our official exam preparation course, we help you familiarize yourself with the DELF, DALF or TCF tests.
TCF, TEF, DELF, DALF Everything you need to pass your test
INTERNATIONAL UNITED ACADEMY offers many different ways to help you prepare for your French Language Exam. Each Frensh Certification Exam has different requirements, so please research the details of your exam and be sure to register before the deadline.
In order to be sufficiently prepared to pass your examination, be it TEF, TCF or DELF/DALF, it may be helpful to start by taking our free online Placement Test to ascertain your current level.
TEF Canada
Test d’Évaluation de Français adapté au CANADA
What is TEF Canada?
Created in 1998 by the French Language Centre of the CCI Paris Ile-de-France, the TEF (Test d’Evaluation de Français) is an international benchmark test that measures a person’s level of knowledge and skills in French.
The TEF Canada is a mandatory test in the context of economic immigration programs that require proof of language skills, at the request of Canadian Citizenship and Immigration to Canada.
The TEF Canada is also an essential proof of French language proficiency level to obtain Canadian citizenship.
For immigration to Canada, a candidate must take all of the 4 sections (2 hours 55 minutes):
- Reading Comprehension (60 minutes) – 50 questions – 300 points
- Listening Comprehension (40 minutes) – 60 questions – 360 points
- Written Expression (60 minutes) – 2 topics – 450 points
- Oral Expression (15 minutes per candidate) – 2 topics – 450 points
Hence results for the 4 skills listed above are expected by the Immigration Canada (CIC- Canadian Federal Government). The minimum level required is level 7 (level B2 of the Common European Framework for Languages).
For Canadian citizenship, a candidate must take the below 2 sections (55 minutes):
- Listening Comprehension (40 minutes) – 60 questions – 360 points
Oral Expression (15 minutes per candidate) – 2 topics – 450 points
TCF IRN
Test de Connaissance du Français – Integration, Residence and Nationality
What is the TCF IRN?
The TCF IRN is intended for any foreign person over 16 years old wishing to validate their level of French to:
- An application for French nationality
- An application for a long-term resident card
- Validation of level A1 as part of the OFFI citizen course
The TCF IRN is composed of 4 compulsory sections assessing skills in French as a general language (1 hour 15 min duration):
- Listening comprehension: computer-based collective test – 20 multiple-choice questions (4 answer choices, one correct answer) – 15 minutes
- Reading comprehension: computer-based collective test – 20 multiple-choice questions (4 answer choices, one correct answer) – 20 minutes
- Written expression: computer-based collective test – 3 exercises – 30 minutes
- Oral expression: individual face-to-face test with an examiner – 3 exercises – 10 minutes
The TCF IRN exclusively assesses language skills and not knowledge of French history, culture and society.
- You must at least reach level A1 for each of the four sections to validate your citizen course.
- You must obtain an A2 level for each of the four sections to validate your resident card application.
- You must obtain a B1 level for each of the four sections to complete your nationality application.
The French Language Proficiency Tests – DALF and DELF
What are DALF and DELF?
DALF (Diplôme Approfondi de Français Langue Étrangère, or Advanced Diploma in French Language) and DELF (Diplôme d’Études en Français Langue Étrangère, or Diploma of French-Language Studies)
These are the only French as a foreign language diplomas issued by the French Ministry of Education.
These diplomas are intended for students who have studied French in school/university and must prove their professional knowledge of French. If you want to study, work or immigrate to a French-speaking country, you might need to pass one of these tests.
DELF
DELF covers the first four levels of the CEFR: A1-B2. Depending on the reason you are taking the exam, you need to pass a different DELF exam. Each exam tests you in four different areas: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The higher the level of the exam, the longer it will take (DELF A1 – 1h 20 min, DELF B2 – 2h 30 min).
To pass the exam on any level, you must get a score of 50/100, with a minimum of 5/25 in each area.
DALF
Unlike DELF, DALF covers only two levels of the CERF: C1 and C2. If you want to study in France or in French, you will need to pass this exam (usually C1). The DALF diploma is also often required in large companies where employees are expected to be fluent in French.
DALF also consists of four parts and tests you on reading, listening, writing, and speaking. To pass the exam, you need to score 50/100 with a minimum of 5/25 in each part.
How to Prepare for DALF and DELF?
As you can see above, the DALF and DELF are detailed exams that test your knowledge of French beyond the level of regular conversation. To prepare for these tests, it is important to study not only your vocabulary and grammar, but learn how to talk to a native speaker in formal situations and get used to French pronunciation.
What’s more, since each exam is different from the other, make sure to research each one and take and prepare for the format.