Friday, December 11, 2020

Francophone Immigration Outside of Quebec


If you have been thinking about immigrating to Canada, chances are you already know about many of the requirements for your immigration application. Since Canada is a bilingual nation, those seeking to immigrate have choices when it comes to the language testing results they submit. Results for English, French or both languages are accepted options when the results are from Canadian immigration-approved exams.

While submitting results for both English and French language tests does not allow applicants to double their language points, it does allow them to increase their language results by up to 50 more points. This possible increase in points can make the difference between admission to Canada or being left waiting.

The TCF Exam

One of the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada-approved (IRCC-approved) French language tests is the TCF Canada - the Test de connaissance du français. This test includes speaking, listening, reading and writing sections. The listening section consists of 39 multiple-choice questions as does the reading section. The three speaking tasks increase in difficulty as the test progresses and the three writing tasks also progress in difficulty.

Potential immigrants who choose French as the primary or secondary language for their immigration application language test will do well to take do their TCF Canada exam registration through an approved testing provider. This will ensure they are taking the right exam and will know when they can expect the results. Results are not reported as a pass or fail, but instead are a score that aligns to the Canadian Language Benchmark table.

Your testing centre will provide you with the official results certificate once the results have been calculated and this can be included in your immigration application.

Skilled French-speaking Workers are in Demand

Overall, Canada is looking to attract more French-speaking workers to immigrate throughout the country, outside of Quebec. The desire is to fortify the Francophone communities within the various provinces and territories and create more vibrant, thriving French-focused regions.

Through the Canadian Express Entry program, those who fit the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades program, the Canadian Experience Class and some of the Provincial Nominee Programs can find their best fit and chances for successful immigration. This is where the language test result points plays an important part. Because the Express Entry program asks applicants to apply for immigration when they have a minimum number of points, the language points can be a significant element in reaching that threshold.

Francophone Communities in Canada Outside of Quebec

Immigrating to Canada using French as your primary or secondary language does not restrict you to immigrating to Quebec. Quebec, which is Canada’s most concentrated Francophone province, has its own language requirements which differ from the French language requirements throughout the rest of Canada. There are many Francophone communities outside of the province of Quebec, where those who speak French primarily, or as a second language, find a welcoming environment.

For example, the neighbourhood of Maillardville in Coquitlam, British Columbia, has a Francophone history dating back to the early 1900s and an annual event known as Festival du Bois. Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes in Lorne, Manitoba has a significant volume of French-speaking residents and their history is revealed in the Pioneers and Chanoinesses Museum. Then there’s the Township of Moonbeam, Ontario which has a developing tourist industry and a strong focus on outdoor activity.

Canada’s history of French and British colonists, and the battles driven by their mother-lands, influenced the flows of Francophone immigrants to the country. Acadia was a French-speaking colony back in the 1600s, but after a series of wars over this region between the French and the English, Great Britain finally took control of it and French-speaking individuals didn’t immigrate in as much abundance.

Various subsequent events in Canada’s history changed this. Certainly, the Klondike gold rush was one aspect. Francophone adventurers from Europe came to try their luck at striking it rich and a number of French-speaking professionals formed communities through BC to service the dreams of these individuals. There was also a large amount of demand for fertile land and European Francophones came to the prairies to farm and established rural communities.

Canada’s multiculturalism and bilingual status continue to be motivating factors for Francophone immigration. For those who are ready for a new home which supports their French language, culture and roots, Canada is an excellent option both within Quebec and in the provinces and territories outside of Quebec.

Choosing a Francophone Neighbourhood

If speaking French on a daily basis for work, school and activities is an important part of your choice of where to settle in Canada, you will want to research the various Francophone locations to get to know the standards of each community. Francophone communities outside of Quebec often offer French and English job options, French-language schools, community services in French and English and a variety of French and English community supports. However, not every community is the same, thus why getting to know the communities better is important to helping you make a decision about where you want to live.

For more information about Francophone communities and job opportunities in French, search for the Destination Canada Mobility Forum which brings employers together with French-speaking job seekers.

Studying in French

Part of your choice to immigrate to Canada may include a desire to continue your education. Many post-secondary institutions offer educational options in French. This includes well-known universities like The University of British Columbia, University of Guelph, Cornwall University, University of Waterloo and York University. Visit the Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne to learn more about the post-secondary education options available in Canada.

For centuries, Francophones have come to Canada and made it their home. This long-standing history not only makes various communities within the country desirable places to settle for French-speaking individuals and families, it also ensures a welcoming neighbourhood with a familiar Francophone environment.

 

 

Monday, October 26, 2020

Common Challenges People Face on Language Proficiency Tests



Are you currently in the process of preparing for a language proficiency exam such as the TCF Canada or TCF Quebec? There are a lot of resources out there to support you on your journey, but it can be difficult to know where to start. What kind of issues do people normally encounter on these exams? What are some common challenges people face? Most language proficiency exams include reading, writing, listening and speaking components. Perhaps you are feeling quite confident about your reading skills but you are more nervous about some of the other components. The feeling is completely normal and you can improve your chances of success through regular practice and review. Here are some common challenges to be mindful of when you write your language proficiency exam. 

Pronunciation 

On the speaking portion of a language proficiency test, you will need to pay keen attention to the pronunciation of common words. Pronunciation can be quite challenging, particularly if your primary language contains different sounds than the language you are studying. This is particularly true for the French language and for anyone who is doing there TCF Canada or TCF Quebec registration. How can you improve your pronunciation? Try finding some cool podcasts or listening to the radio in the language you will be tested on. Give yourself the best chance of success by listening to proper pronunciation and practicing often. 

Grammar 

Grammar is perhaps one of the most frustrating aspects of a language such as French or English. How do you avoid sentence fragments? How can you tell when you have a comma splice or an issue with parallel structure? Study common grammar rules and practice as much as you can. Whether this is your first, second or third or more language, everyone can get tripped up by grammar now and again. To help build your confidence in this area, read as much as you can and be sure to diligently practice. Go over your verb tenses and review the rules for articles. There are a lot of online resources that can help you along the way, as you prepare for your language proficiency test. 

Vocabulary 

Having a broad vocabulary is another factor that can be quite challenging for anyone taking a language proficiency exam. In everyday life and business, having a strong vocabulary will help you to communicate with the people around you. When you are learning a new language, the tendency may be to hold tightly to a limited number of words that you feel confident using. This desire can be especially prevalent on the reading and writing portions of a language assessment. If you find that you are constantly repeating the same basic words, then you may not see the results you are hoping for. The good news is that expanding your vocabulary is not nearly as hard as it may sound. Most people expand their vocabulary naturally through curiosity and absorbing a new language. Perhaps you love reading comic books or watching cooking shows. Try doing some of your favourite activities in your second or third language. Familiarizing yourself with new words in a fun and engaging way can really help you when it comes to taking your language proficiency test at an exam centreOverall, expanding your vocabulary is a major part of success on any language proficiency exam. 

Summary 

Studying diligently on your own or taking a preparation course will do wonders for your confidence and comfort level during language proficiency assessment. When you feel ready to take your exam, you will need to find a TCF Quebec or TCF Canada test centre near you. Ashton Testing Services can provide you with a calm and professional testing environment to make the process as smooth and comfortable as possible. Remember to review common errors in pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary to help put your best foot forward. 

Friday, September 11, 2020

Preparing for a French Language Proficiency Test

Introduction

Are you preparing for a French language proficiency test? Gaining a preliminary understanding of the context and purpose of your exam will certainly help get you startedIn general, the TCF Canada or Test de Connaissance du Français is suitable for anyone who wants to initiate the immigration process to Canada, regardless of their nationality or native language. The TCF Quebecor Test de connaissance du français pour le Québec is similarly appropriate if you are looking to immigrate specifically to the province of Quebec. If you are a native speaker then you are probably feeling quite confident about demonstrating your proficiency. If you have picked up French as a second or third language, then you may be wondering how you can best prepare yourself for the exam. There are a number of steps you can take to improve your confidence and really immerse yourself in the French language, before taking your exam. By preparing yourself now, you can reduce your exam stress and increase your chances of success.


Immersing Yourself in the Language 

One of the most important things that you can do to help yourself before a language proficiency test is to completely immerse yourself in the language. This may sound simple if you are already living in a place where French is spoken regularly in your daily lifeHowever, if you are multilingual then you may have another language that you speak on a daily basis. Immersing yourself in French will help immensely as you prepare for your language proficiency test. So where do you start? Ask yourself, what do you love most about French culture? Are you fascinating by the cuisine? If your answer is yes, then why not try watching some French cooking shows online or browsing a French cookbook? Combining your leisure time with casual studying is a great way to maximize comfort with any language. 


Simple Tips for Language Immersion 

The most important thing about preparing for a language proficiency test is that you focus on communication and comprehension. Here are some basic activities which you can add to your daily routine, in order to increase your accuracy and understanding: 

  • Listen to French podcasts 
  • Watch your favourite television shows in French; remember to have the French subtitles turned on so that you can follow along with your eyes and ears 
  • Read French leisure magazines about a subject that fascinates you 
  • Listen to French Candian radio broadcasts 
  • Change the language settings on your phone, tablet or computer so that all your menus and options are in written French 
  • Listening to meditations in French, right before you fall asleep 

Educators recommend immersion as the number one thing that you can do to build your confidence and language proficiency. Doing any of these simple recommendations will help you to broaden your vocabulary, while also having fun and feeding your curiosity about the world. What other language tips or recommendations can you think of?


Taking your exam 

When you feel ready to take your French language proficiency exam, you will need to find a TCF Canada of TCF Quebec test centre. The good news is that you will not have far to look. You can book one easily online through Ashton Testing Services, ATS. TCF Canada exam sessions are typically run twice per month on Wednesday evenings or Sunday afternoons. Exam availability for the TCF Quebec varies throughout the month, so be sure to check the Ashton Testing Services website for upcoming exam dates.