The Epic of Learning French
Chapter three: somewhat objective results and a trip too!
Finally we come to the part where I’d like to share what have I got to show for it, as it were. It has become a frequent refrain in our house that taking tests is a chronic condition of mine, so let’s see what I’ve done, how did I prepare and what results I got.
To begin with let’s get back shortly to my studies at the language center. There they present a beginner with a totality of ten levels in between some of which they hold exams so as to gauge the overall retention level and one has to gather at least 60% on each of four classic language test components: compréhension orale (listening), compréhension écrite (reading), expression orale (speaking) and expression écrite (writing). However, their exams are organized in a slightly irregular way, for example, while the speech is assessed during the speaking test (duh!), the examiner also pays attention to how well examinee understands (or does not) the questions posed to them and this goes towards their mark on listening. Another point is, that unlike the most other language exams I’ve done, they do not pose the questions in the order the information appears in the text, so one has to skim through the whole text and be especially careful and nimble, as it were, while answering the questions. Thus, I would not say that one can be slipshod and go through la francisation easily at this center, unless one is very good to begin with. But if one is diligent during the class and is reasonable motivated, there might be no need to prepare for the exam. However, all of our teachers dedicated a week or so to repeat and revise. With the school I’ve got so far as the exams of 7b, but the circumstances have changed so I did not take the test this last time.
However I’ve been through two other tests: TFI (Test du français international) and TCF-TP (Test de connaissance du français tout public). There are certain similarities between them but I’d say that they present two distinct challenges. The TFI examines only reading and listening, whereas with TCF there are three obligatory components — reading, listening and maîtrise des structures de la langue, or mastery of language structures, and there are two optional components — writing and speaking. To add to that, there are several sub-types of TCF that might be used for different purposes: studies, immigration, citizenship test, etc. The one I’ve done, the TP sub-type (tout public meaning for everyone, I guess), evaluates the competences in general French for non native speakers.
Let’s first look at TFI in more detail:
- the test used to be held in multiple venues in Montreal, but because of COVID most of them had stopped providing it; as of today the only place I know of is the Centre Lartigue. They also happen to provide a prep class for the test, nowadays done online. The exam fee is 110 CAD, but if you’d like to prepare with them and you are not a student at the center the overall cost will be 215 CAD (includes preparation guide, test fee and an administrative fee). The inscription is done in person, however it is recommended to make an appointment beforehand online or by phone, personally I’d say do it online as over the phone option is fraught with difficulties and sometimes unpredictable turns.
- I’ve decided to forgo the tutored preparation in favor of several books that I’ve found in the Grande Bibliothèque: Objectif TFI: test de français international: guide de préparation by Martine Badefort, Guide de préparation au Test de français international by Arlette Niedoba, and TFI: test de français international: préparation complète by Véronique Marcillac. The first two are basically a set of mock tests that come with the listening part on CDs, but the last one is truly a complete guide to preparation as the author helps you through the tasks with increasing difficulty leading to an exam simulation. If you have more time, then I’d recommend to begin with Marcillac’s book and then add the mock tests, but if you are pressed you can go directly to the tests. You can familiarize youtself a bit better with the test in their official Examinee Handbook.
- this was, in fact, my second go at TFI after the first, completely unprepared one right at the beginning of my French studies. The first one was not so bad, but I fell well below my objective of 860 out of 990, I got only 760. So this time I was better equipped and thus much less stressed.
- the test took place in one of the classes at Centre Lartigue, we were a group of twenty or so candidates seated at predetermined spots. Apart from the test booklet and the answer sheet, we were provided with pencils and erasers. To mark the answers on the sheet one is supposed to blacken the appropriate circle. Listening comes first, then the reading. You get only one listening, so you have to mark the answer as you go. Note also that you’re not allowed to make any marks on the booklet. As the audio ends, you proceed directly to the second part as there is no pause provided in between. With the reading you are relatively free in the order you answer the questions, but be wary of your time and don’t get too fixed on one particular text or question.
- normally, the results should arrive in 10 business days, but my first attempt coincided with the Christmas and the New Year, so I got them almost two months later. Of course, it does not mean that this should happen to someone else, but be aware of the possibility of delays, especially if you have a particular deadline to meet. This year my TFI took place on September 24th and the results were ready for pick up on October 4th. You can find the test dates and dates on which the results are in on the same page. Long story short, I got 910 out of 990.
Now for the TCF-TP:
- this one had also been provided by several organizations in Montreal, but the only one left to me at the time of registration (end of July or August) was in Quebec ville, in fact it is the Language School of the Laval University. The registration is done through their website, the fee is 210 CAD. The program I was going to use my results for required taking one additional module — writing.
- to prepare for this one the sources I’ve found and used were more varied and to a certain degree more helpful, subjectively at least. So I’ve started again the Library with Abc TCF: test de connaissance du français: 200 exercices by Bruno Mègre, Guide officiel d’entraînement au TCF: test de connaissance du français by Dorothée Dupleix. I’ve found the first easier to use, plus the book was newer so it was more pleasant, as well. But then I’ve found this section on the site of a tv5 channel, it is dedicated to the preparation for TCF and is extremely useful, especially so if you take only the obligatory parts of the exam. If like me, you have to produce a textual proof of your cleverness in French, the first book will serve you well as there are several topics to exercise for the writing component.
- the exam was held in one of the pavilions of the Laval University (their campus is beautiful, as well as the city itself, but it is a separate story), where I headed one September morning, having arrived to the city the evening before. This one is thankfully done on computers so my fear of people loosing their sight and maybe even sanity at having to decipher my handwriting was assuaged. I also have to note that their computer lab has some of the most comfortable earphones I’ve encountered recently, but that’s neither here, nor there. One of the particularities of this test to be noted is that when one arrives at writing it is demanded that one proceeds with the three writing tasks in order. That is to say they want you to commence with the easiest before you go on to the harder ones, which is the opposite to the way one is advised to proceed with IELTS, for instance, where one is encouraged to begin with the bigger task which will gain one more points.
- on finishing the exam you’ll see the results of the first three tasks immediately, but you’ll have to wait for the writing to be graded, which takes 2–3 weeks. You’ll receive the electronic copy of the exam first and later you’ll receive the physical copy after it will arrive from France. I’ve been to Quebec for the exam on September 25th and got an email on October 5th. On this scale I was required to get at least 400 on global score and at least 14 out of 20 on writing. I’ve got the global score of 623 out of 699 or C2 level on the European scale of language teaching (CECRL), but the writing came out underwhelming with only 13.
Now, what apart from sharing some useful stuff and bragging a bit, these all means? I’ll tell you later ;)
