Want to immigrate or obtain Canadian citizenship?
The TEF Canada is one of only two French tests officially recognised by the Canadian government. Register at the Alliance Française de Kunming, an accredited test centre.
What is TEF Canada?
The TEF Canada (Test d'Évaluation de Français pour le Canada) is a certified language test by the Paris Île-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It is one of two French tests officially recognised by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
TEF Canada examinations
Results and validity
TEF Canada results are issued within 15 working days after taking the test. Candidates receive a results certificate valid for 2 years. The examinations are marked on a scale of 0 to 699 points and associated with the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Detailed examinations
| Examination | Objective | Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Reading comprehension | Assess your ability to read and understand written documents. | 4 sections – 40 questions – QCM |
| Listening comprehension | Measure your understanding of spoken French from audio documents. | 4 sections – 40 questions – Audio QCM |
| Writing | Assess your ability to express yourself in writing in French. |
Section A: Continue an article (≥80 words) – 25 min Section B: Justify a point of view (≥200 words) – 35 min |
| Speaking | Measure your ability to communicate orally with an interlocutor. |
Section A: Obtain information – 5 min Section B: Argue and persuade – 10 min |
| Examination | Objective | Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | Understand written documents. | 4 sections – 40 QCM |
| Listening | Understand audio documents. | 4 sections – 40 audio QCM |
| Writing | Express yourself in writing. |
A: Article (≥80 words) – 25 min B: Point of view (≥200 words) – 35 min |
| Speaking | Communicate orally. |
A: Information – 5 min B: Persuade – 10 min |
Required level for immigration and citizenship
For an immigration application to Canada, the minimum required level depends on the programme chosen. For example, the Express Entry programme requires NCLC level 7, whilst the Francophone Mobility programme requires NCLC level 5. For Canadian citizenship, an NCLC level 4 is required for speaking and listening comprehension examinations.
| TEF Score between 1 October 2019 and 10 December 2023 |
Reading/Listening Comprehension (from 11 December 2023) |
Writing (from 11 December 2023) |
Speaking (from 11 December 2023) |
NCLC Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 – 299 | 0 – 305 | 0 – 267 | 0 – 327 | <NCLC 4 | |
| 300 – 349 | 306 – 351 | 268 – 329 | 328 – 386 | NCLC 4 | |
| 350 – 399 | 352 – 392 | 330 – 378 | 387 – 421 | NCLC 5 | |
| 400 – 449 | 393 – 433 | 379 – 427 | 422 – 455 | NCLC 6 | |
| 450 – 499 | 434 – 461 | 428 – 471 | 456 – 493 | NCLC 7 | |
| 500 – 532 | 462 – 502 | 472 – 511 | 494 – 517 | NCLC 8 | |
| 533 – 565 | 503 – 545 | 512 – 557 | 518 – 555 | NCLC 9 | |
| 566 – 699 | 546 – 572 | 558 – 576 | 556 – 591 | NCLC 10 | |
| 573 – 614 | 577 – 618 | 592 – 641 | NCLC 11 | ||
| 615 – 699 | 619 – 699 | 642 – 699 | NCLC 12 | ||
TEF Canada – FAQ
The TEF Canada (Test d'Évaluation de Français pour le Canada) is a French language proficiency test, recognised by IRCC for immigration procedures and Canadian citizenship applications.
Results are sent approximately two weeks after the test. You will receive a link to a digital safe to download your certificate. No paper document is sent.
TEF Canada
Inscriptions
Preparation
French Language Tests
Register online
Book your place at the Alliance Française de Kunming now. Complete the form below to register for the TEF Canada.
Brochure TEF Canada
Find all the information about the TEF Canada: examinations, registration and preparation at the Alliance Française de Kunming.
