Written by Gabriela Estrada

If you are preparing for an exam such as the TEF, TCF, DELF or DALFit is important to know who is behind their design. Many people believe that, because they are related to immigration processes in Canada, these exams are created by the Canadian government. But the reality is that this idea is a myth.

In this blog we are going to take it apart. Read with me to the end and find out why. Let's start.

What type of French is actually assessed in the official tests?

The vast majority of official French exams are built on the basis of general French. built on the basis of General French, which is thewhich is the international standard for the language. Even so, there is an "urban myth" among some people who believe that immigration exams such as the TEF Canada or the TCF Canada require a special mastery of the French spoken in Quebec.

The question then arises as to whether should be prepared for General French or Canadian French, but the answer is that everything points to General French.The answer is that everything points to general French. It is a fact that, although some oral comprehensions or Quebecois expressions may appear, almost 90% of the exam is constructed with a general French, with the aim that anyone in the world can pass it. can pass it.

Why is this the case? The reason is simple and strategic. These tests are developed by French organizations, not by the Canadian government. Let's see.

Who is in charge of preparing the official French tests?

Here I share the French organizations in charge:

• France Éducation International (FEI)

FEI is a French public institution under the Ministry of National Education. It designs and manages the following exams TCF, DELF and DALF. It also evaluates standard French, which is taught in schools and language centers around the world.

• ITC Paris Ile-de-France

It is the Paris Chamber of Commerce. This organization designs the TEFincluding its versions for Canada, French nationality and studies. Although the TEF is used to migrate to Canada, the content is still general French, not regional.

Why is Québec French not used in official examinations?

Because these exams are designed to evaluate your level of French according to international criteria. The French that appears in the tests is clear, neutral and understandable for speakers from any country. The student does not need to understand local expressions and specific accents such as Quebecois in order to pass.

Imagine a scenario in which a Spanish speaker must take a test in Argentina, another in Chile and another in Spain, and each test is different and with the Quebec accent, the test would no longer be standard, fair and accessible.

Why is this useful to know?

Because it allows the student to prepare with confidence, using standard French resources. In addition, it avoids confusion about what type of French to study, and generates certainty about the international validity of your certification, useful in Canada and other French-speaking countries.

The key to success is full exposure to the language.

Although the test assesses general French, the key to a good score is total exposure to the language, so, bring French into your daily life to familiarize yourself with the different ways it is spoken.

To master the language, it is recommended:

• Read from news and technology articles to ingredients on a product's label in French.
• Listen to actively podcasts and music in French. Train your ear to follow the thread of conversations, regardless of the accent.
• See series and movies in French with subtitles.

This practice prepares you for any variant of the language you may encounter on the exam or in real life.

Were you concerned about the Québec accent before you learned this? Don't let a myth stop you from moving forward.

At Planeta Immiland Educationwe offer preparation programs for international French and English exams and focus on fluency and practice. and are focused on fluency and practice, officially standardized and with the prestigious Languages Canada certification.

Discover our effective international exam preparation methodology here: https://www.planeta-immiland-education.com/examenes-internacionales

Thanks for reading, see you soon!

With love,

Planeta Immiland Education