Written by Andy Rodriguez

 Are you planning to immigrate to Canada as an international student or skilled worker and want to earn an additional 50 points for speaking French, if so, then you have probably encountered the dilemma of whether to opt for the TEF Canada or the TCF Canada to prove it. As a certified legal consultant in Immiland's immigration department, I have met many stories of clients who navigated through both tests and shared with us their insights and experiences to in turn use in this article in the hope of shedding light for our clients and users in general and that they can make a good decision on the most practical test for them. Here is the experience of a client of our language school. Planeta Immiland, with both tests and which one he ended up choosing.

First, let us define what each test consists of.

 What is TEF Canada?

The Test d'évaluation de français (TEF) is an international reference test that measures your level of knowledge and proficiency in French. This exam is recognized by the Federal Government of Canada and the Quebec Ministry of Diversity and Inclusion and is ideal for those who wish to immigrate to Canada.

 What is TCF Canada?

The Test de connaissance du français (TCF) is a language level test for non-native speakers of French. It is administered by the Centre International d'Études Pédagogiques (CIEP) of the French Ministry of Education. It meets French language entry requirements, can be used to demonstrate linguistic ability in job applications or for personal use, and is also used by Canada or Quebec for immigration procedures.

 Immiland customer experience with TEF Canada

"It was a challenge for reading and writing".

My experience began with the TEF Canada, a test recognized for its rigorous assessment of reading and writing skills in French. 

In my case, I had considerable difficulty with this test, especially in the writing section. The creation of a fait divers or new item required me to manage creativity intertwined with a rich vocabulary. This task proved complex for me because I was challenged to translate my own ideas in a fluent manner into French and it was challenging to read and write. The next task of the formal letter was easier, even so, I had to face subtle challenges in developing my ideas in French to finally score B1, i.e. an intermediate score.

 Immiland's own client's experience with TCF Canada

"It has an approach that I felt more familiar with.".

With TCF Canada, I noticed a similarity it has to the DELF (Diplôme d'Études en Langue Française) exam methodology, which might resonate well with those international students familiar with traditional approaches to French language learning. 

Unlike the TEF, the TCF Canada does not have a lower B2 category, this offers a more direct path to securing those coveted 50 points for speaking French. In addition, I felt that the tasks, which include a short letter, a blog post, and a resume analysis, were more aligned with my own conventional learning experiences, which made me better able to handle the complexity of the exam.

Comparison of the components: writing, speaking, listening and reading of the TCF vs. the TEF.

Immiland client's definitive view on the practical benefit of TCF Canada

In light of my experience, TCF Canada emerged as the most practical option adapted to my profile. I felt so familiar with the structure and its difficulty from lowest to highest. Being able to take a few minutes to read the questions gave me peace of mind and all this made my French test experience more confident to answer fluently. Despite its lesser-known status and limited online resources, TCF Canada proved to me that it is a viable route, especially for those like me looking for a less intimidating way to secure language proficiency points.

Immiland Canada Considerations

While our client's experience leans towards the TCF Canada exam, it is crucial to recognize that individual preferences and learning styles vary. For our team, it is almost imperative to recommend that our clients and users in general do thorough research and consider their personal strengths and weaknesses before making a decision. Either way, choosing the TEF or TCF exam involves constant preparation by taking English courses online or from home, as well as practicing every day in group conversations with French teachers or native English speakers. Remember that practice makes perfect.

Share your experience with us!

If you have already taken one or both of these exams, do not hesitate to share with us your reflections and what you learned during the process, thus helping us to disseminate valuable information that will help other users to choose the exam with which they will be able to demonstrate their mastery of the French language. Living in Canada is a dream that many foreigners have made come true, it is not a process that is achieved overnight because it requires planning and preparation. If you want to immigrate to this beautiful country and want to start your plan on the right foot, we invite you to request a free evaluation via e-mail to help you start your process. Just fill out the form and we will send you an email with a general analysis of your profile and your immigration options in Canada.

Thank you for sharing your stories.

With love,

Planet Immiland