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 centre. Overall, 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 a 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. 

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 started. In 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 life. However, 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. 

Preparation for the TCF Canada and Quebec

With the TCF Quebec or TCF Canada exam results in your hand you can have your level of French recognized throughout the world. Companies, schools, and universities rely on this exam to evaluate applicants.

If you are applying to immigrate to Canada, a language test is required in one of the two official languages, English or French. TCF Canada is an approved option by Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada in order to verify your French language proficiency.

TCF Canada Exam

No prior qualification is required to take the exam but candidates must be at least 16 years of age. Once you’ve found an authorized test centre near you and have registered and paid, you are ready to take the exam.

The TCF Canada consists of 4 modules that are designed to evaluate your proficiency in both oral and written skills:

·        Listening: 39 multiple choice questions

·        Reading: 38 multiple choice questions

·        Speaking: 3 subjects organized in increasing order of difficulty

·        Writing: 3 topics organized in increasing order of difficulty

TCF Quebec

Registering for the TCF Quebec would be the right choice if you plan a move to Quebec. The Quebec Ministry for Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI) requests proof of the applicants’ knowledge of French. MIFI recognizes the TEF Quebec (TEFAQ) examination results as part of the process to obtain a Certificat de Sélection du Québec (CSQ). The Quebec Selection Certificate leads to the issuance of a permanent visa.

TCF Quebec Exam

The TCF Quebec is comprised of 1 to 4 examinations. It evaluates your proficiency in standard French language in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

The TCF Quebec format is:

·        Listening: 29 multiple choice questions

·        Reading: 29 multiple choice questions

·        Speaking: 3 subjects organized in increasing order of difficulty

·        Writing: 3 topics organized in increasing order of difficulty

How to Study for TCF Canada or TCF Quebec

Though the number of questions varies on the TCF Canada exam vs. the TCF Quebec exam, the structure remains the same including listening, reading, speaking, and writing sections. The speaking and writing sections are optional subjects and may be required depending on your reason for taking the TCF.

Listening

 Oral comprehension is broken down into the following sections:

·        Section 1 tests understanding of how audio clips relate to a certain image

·        Section 2 tests understanding of minimal exchanges related to real life   situations.

·        Section 3 tests your understanding of small conversations between   Francophones

·        Section 4 plays a clip that may be a speech or a news report and you are testing   on your understanding of the content

Study tip for the listening section

·        Listen to French audio clips without repeating

During the TCF Canada or TCF Quebec, you can’t repeat the audio clips, so you have to be able to quickly understand the content.

Reading

·        The reading comprehension section tests your skill in reading French. Several excerpts are presented from single sentence to essays with multiple-choice questions about the subject or specific information that was presented. At least here you can reread the question, but your time is still limited.

Study tip for the reading section

·        Practice reading French quickly

Since the TCF Canada and TCF Quebec are timed, practice reading French quickly so when you are under pressure, you are able to understand it without rereading. Try reading the kind of writing that is likely to show up on the TEF exams like news articles or historical speeches.

Speaking

This section takes the form of a face-to-face recorded interview with an examiner. The examiner may ask you a general question, like “Tell me about yourself” and more specific questions like, “I run a small business. Ask me questions about how it’s run.”

Study tip for the speaking section

·      Get a friend to help you prepare with a mock Q & A

Just like a job interview, the speaking part of the exam requires you to think on your feet so if you have someone sit across from you and ask you questions and you have to answer in French, it puts you in a similar situation to the one you will face on examination day.

Writing

This section requires you to write about three scenarios. A previous exam question was to “write about a hypothetical vacation you just took.”

Study tip for the writing section

·      Join an online forum for Francophones

This is one way to help you engage on a variety of topics. Key to success in this section is to practice your writing as much as possible. The more you write and practice in different forms (essays, blogs, letters, etc.), the more confident you will be on exam day.

Register for the exam

Once you have completed your preparation, you are ready to register for either the TCF Quebec or TCF Canada exam. Ashton Testing offers the exams on weekends so you can easily fit the testing into your busy schedule.

Bonne chance!