Many candidates that I have come across with always think that passing or should I say excelling in the TEF Canada or TCF tests requires them to be completely fluent in the French language. Yet, I try to mostly emphasize that if second language English speakers like Nigerians can still fail the IELTS test, so also can French experts and even native speakers do as well. What then allows French learners to excel in the TEF/TCF? In simple terms, the response to that question can be found all in the blog article for today…
Many candidates that I have come across with always think that passing or should I say excelling in the TEF Canada or TCF tests requires them to be completely fluent in the French language. Yet, I try to mostly emphasize that if second language English speakers like Nigerians can still fail the IELTS test, so also can French experts and even native speakers do as well. What then allows French learners to excel in the TEF/TCF? In simple terms, the response to that question can be found all in the blog article for today.
My TEF Story
Before I dive into the solutions, let me further tell you a story of myself and try to paint a picture of how I found out about what I am about to show you in this post. I, Azeez Olanrewaju Shoderu, started learning French as elective courses during my undergraduate studies in the University of Ilorin around the year 2012, I went on to study the language at the Nigeria French Language Village, Ajara, Badagry, Lagos under the module 2 program for another 3 whole calendar months in the year 2013.
Benin Learning Journey
Afterwards, I studied the language more all through my degree program and traveled to the Calavy University Abomey-Calavi, Benin Republic to go practice what I learnt in Nigeria. The fun part of all my sojourn in this field of study is that I was also caught up teaching my own students, colleagues, mates and seniors along the line as it was not long as I was recognized as a force to reckon with and learn from in every institute of learning I found myself in.My Teaching Engagements
As faith would have it, I had been teaching secondary students the French language even before rounding off my program at the University and I was instrumental in taking tutorials and classes to my course mates in the institution. I passed all local French exams with distinctions and I was well confident of my prowess in the French language as at that time. In fact, my lecturers were also well encouraging my new found learning path and would always use me as a positive reference and reinforcement to other students.
Some Awarded Recognitions
Hence, I became a self-acclaimed erudite of French apart from the scholar of my department of Linguistics even though I had not even taken any international exam to either certify or acknowledge me as one. In the year 2018, after my degree and NYSC service, when my family members were contemplating I relocate to Canada, they suggested that I take the TEF Canada test to ascertain my competences and knowledge in the French language.My Time at Alliance
Truth be told now, I was scared as hell about it because I did not know anything about such exams. So, I convinced them on enrolling myself in the 5-weeks preparatory classes organized by the Alliance Francaise, Yaba, Lagos as at that time. I got admitted into the classes and started my studies for the test, attended classes all through the weekends and made sure I was practicing the language during the weekdays before and after classes, did all assignments and even spoke to my fluent friends to help me out in the conversation aspects via telephone and video-conferencing calls.
My First Result
The day of the exam came and I went to take it. In all test skills, I backed a B1 score. To clearly state the result, I had 167/300 in Compréhension Écrite (Reading), 179/360 in Compréhension Orale (Listening), 215/450 in Expression Écrite (Writing) and 259/450 in Expression Orale (Speaking). If you follow the NCLC levels, you would see that such marks put me in the 4 and 5 levels of language competences. In other words, I was below the average. As expected, B2 (level 7) is the minimum mark accepted to claim points for first language under the Express Entry Federal Skilled Worker Program (EE-FSWP) of the Canada Immigration pathways.New State of Affairs
In all, I was saddened with this result and it hindered my furtherance of the Canada Immigration way back in 2018. Fast forward to 2019, I started studying the French language and TEF Canada test format in details. I even began to create online courses that would help a beginner or any other French learner in any level to learn French and prepare for TEF/TCF simultaneously. And all what I found startled me. It was right from then till 2021, I noticed that all it takes to excelling in TEF/TCF requires you to know the principles, strategies and techniques to answering questions well instead of becoming fluent or vast in the French language speech or literature.
The Truth Behind the Scenes
In fact, I saw, meet and heard of people who only took to the test format, mastered it and learnt how well to pass the exam, took the so-called test and came out with B2, C1 and even C2 grades. It occurred to me that these many candidates only came to be well informed of how they can prepare for the exam by learning some indelible tricks towards the test even though they were not fully learned in the language and came out victorious with the scores of their dreams.Know the Real Truth
Let me tell you straight to your face now! If you want to excel in TEF or TCF tests, take these following key steps and key points by heart and religiously follow them. I have seen them work magic for me and countless of others as we all got amazing results by just using these tips. Do not be misled by other gimmicks and scams out there, you can take the test yourself after using these nuggets and get your desired scores, stress-free, just trust me on this please:
The Five Key Tips
Make a plan by asking yourself these questions: How long do you want to prepare for TEF or TCF? How many hours do you want to learn per day or week? This short course will teach you how to do this.
Get yourself a private coach – Never underestimate the role of a certified coach, it took me 3 years to figure this out, I do not think, you do not have that luxury of time. Coaches like these help breach the gap and shrink the time for you to prepare & excel.
Enroll into a French for TEF Canada (FTC) online course – FTC Course is a step-by-step framework that helps French learners at any level (be it beginner, intermediate or advanced) to learn the major areas needed to take and pass the TEF Canada test.
Apply for a PrepMyFuture affiliated preparatory platform – work alongside this online platform which has partnered with the Chamber of Commerce of Paris Ile de France (creator of the TEF) to co-develop all their preparatory programs, lessons, activities and tests.
Buy as much past questions & study materials – these would help you tremendously to uncover the test format, repeated questions and even technical-know-how. Do not avoid this, it can be your most valuable tool to getting your desired scores.Conclusion
I believe I have given you the 5 core values that I hold by which got me from B1 to B2+ in my recently taken test. I will probably write about my new TEF Canada result in one of my next blog articles. Stay tuned for that; till then, stay blessed and feel free to ask me any questions regarding the shared tips if you have by reaching out to us via my phone number – +2348107714449 or +2349091884943 on Whatsapp or perhaps through our official email address: admin@aosacademy.com.