TCF
The TCF! What is it?
A recognized test
TCF (French language knowledge test) is the French National Education and Higher Education and Research Ministries test. It assesses the competence in general usage French of persons above the age of 16 who do not have French as mother tongue, and is made of multiple choice questions, each question having only one correct answer.
TCF’s flexibility and straightforwardness make it a useful tool to meet the requirements of all those needing to have their level of competence in French tested for personal of professional reasons.
The different versions
There are now four versions of TCF:
TCF
is designed for those who wish to have their knowledge and competence in French assessed reliably, simply and quickly, for academic (students, future students, trainees, etc.), professional (employees or future employees) or personal reasons.
TCF provides an evaluation of understanding both spoken and written French as well as the ability to use the language structure. Two optional tests allow for an evaluation of the
candidate’s speaking and writing abilities.
TCF for Quebec
assesses both spoken language understanding and speaking ability. This is a French language level assessment developed to the specifications of the Ministry for Immigration and Cultural communities for immigration applications to Quebec.
Those who wish to apply for immigration either in Quebec or at a General Delegation for Quebec can prove their knowledge of French by including a “TCF for Quebec” certificate with their
application file.
TCF Canada
is a French language proficiency test that meets the standards of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). TCF Canada results are accepted for the purposes of economic immigration or for obtaining Canadian citizenship.
TCF IRN (Integration, Residence and Nationality)
This test is intended for people wishing to apply for French nationality or a long-term resident card and evaluates the 4 skills (oral comprehension, written comprehension, oral expression and written expression).
An official certificate valid for 2 years
Results achieved at TCF, TCF for Quebec and TCF Canada are given in an official certificate valid for 2 years.
A calibrated and standardized assessment
TCF is based on an extremely rigorous scientific methodology: this is a calibrated and standardized assessment. Throughout all sessions, and whatever the test version, results remain comparable and allow for a reliable positioning of candidates on a six tier competence scale from “elementary” (A1) to “higher advanced” (C2).
These levels correspond to those defined by the Council of Europe within the Common European Reference Framework for languages.
How to get ready for TCF?
TCF’s objective is to assess a candidate’s ability to use general knowledge French at a given time, whether in everyday life, tourism, work or studies. It does not require specific preparation, as using the language at any time is a preparation in itself, such as listening to the radio, watching television, reading the papers, or talking to someone…
Nonetheless, there are several tools available to get acquainted with this type of test.
Check the following books, available at the Alliance Française Bangkok media library:
- Le guide officiel d’entraînement au TCF, éditions Didier
- Le Nouvel Entraînez-vous – 250 activités – TCF, éditions Clé
international - Test de connaissance du français, éditions Belin
You may also:
- Practice thanks to the specific TCF activities on the websites
of France Education International or éditions Didier - Practice for the spoken language understanding test on the RFI
website - Learn about the questions asked on the TV5 website
How to register for the TCF?
Alliance Française Bangkok is an official center to take all versions of TCF: TCF, TCF for Quebec, TCF IRN (Integration, Residence and Nationality).
TCF results allow a reliable positioning of candidates on the Council of Europe’s six-level scale (from level A1 to C2).
Results are sent to Alliance Française Bangkok three weeks after test papers are received by France Education International where they are assessed.
The official TCF results are given personally to candidates at Alliance Française Bangkok. Candidates are notified by email that his/her results are available.
Exam: 11/02/2023
Registration: 19/12/2022 – 15/01/2023
Registration forms (could be downloaded during registration period) : TCF Tout public, TCF Québec, TCF IRN (Integration, Residence and Nationality), TCF Canada
Exam: 27/05/2023
Registration: 03/04/2023 – 30/04/2023
Registration forms : TCF Tout public, TCF Québec, TCF IRN (Integration, Residence and Nationality), TCF Canada | Please return to: examen.bangkok@afthailande.org
Exam: 23/09/2023
Registration: 31/07/2023 – 27/08/2023
Registration forms (could be downloaded during registration period) : TCF Tout public, TCF Québec, TCF IRN (Integration, Residence and Nationality), TCF Canada
Fees 2023
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TCF Tout public: 5,200 THB, 2,900 THB (written expression), 2,900 THB (oral expression)
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TCF for Quebec: 2,600 THB (oral comprehension), 2,600 THB (written comprehension), 2,900 THB (written expression), 2,900 THB (oral expression)
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TCF Canada: 10,200 THB
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TCF IRN (Integration, Residence and Nationality): 8,900 THB
*TCF DAP only on request