preparing for tcf

For Assessing you Level and Practicing for the TCF These sites are useful for assessing your language level as well as preparing for the TCF exam. Apprentices are required to attain a level of B2 or higher before the end of their apprentice term. The scale used is the Common European Framework of References for languages.

TV5MONDE This site has many great resources for preparing for the TCF. There are tons of general French learning lessons as well. This is the link directly to the TCF prep area of the site: http://apprendre.tv5monde.com/fr/apprendre-francais/accueil-tcf This is the link to the general French-learning part of the site: http://apprendre.tv5monde.com/fr. If you haven’t done these exercises already, I recommend doing the B1 and B2 levels. When you are ready to begin practicing for the TCF, begin with the “Entrainement TCF” section. These questions are not timed. You click on a series of questions to answer. Go through all the series before you click on “Simulation du Test”. It will take quite a bit of time to go through all 13 practice tests, but each time you do a practice test you are learning more about the language and more about the test. Click on “Simulation du Test” only when you are ready to have uninterrupted time in a “test-like” environment. Make sure you will be able to sit down and complete the test before you begin.

TEST DE CHARLOTTE If you have taken online courses through the CNED distance learning program, you may have already taken this test. However, it is a useful tool to check your progress in French! The “Test de Charlotte” takes about 45 minutes to complete. http://www.campuselectronique.tm.fr/testfle/

CIEP site The CIEP is the organization that offers the TCF. Here is their guide for people preparing to take the exam. You don’t have to read the entire manual, but there are sample questions included, as well as explanations of how the test is run. http://www.ciep.fr/sites/default/files/manuel-candidat-tcf.pdf

EDITIONS DIDIER Editions Didier is a publisher that sells practice books for the TCF. However, they also have a free website where you can answer practice questions. You can click on each of the 3 sections (Compréhension orale, Structures de la langue and Comprhension écrite) and see questions for each level (A1-C2). http://tcf.didierfle.com/index.php

FRENCH FASTER French Faster is an online language learning program. Most of their services are offered for a price; however, on their site they outline the structure of the test. They also have free downloadable sample questions. http://www.frenchfaster.com/tcffrenchexam.htm Here are the examples of questions for Expression Orale: http://www.frenchfaster.com/TCF%20Expression%20Orale%20Sample%201.pdf

FRENCH-EXAM French Exam is an interesting website. It is a collection of resources designed to help people study for various French exams. Here is a link from their site regarding various free apps that may be useful in preparing for the TCF: http://www.frenchexam.com/2013/02/09/free-app-to-help-improve-your-french/

RFI (RADIO FRANCE INTERNATIONAL) RFI is a great site for learning French, but it is also useful in preparing for the TCF. There are practice tests here: http://savoirs.rfi.fr/fr/apprendre-Enseigner/languefrancaise/tcf-test-de-connaissance-du-francais But, all of their exercises are activities are useful. http://savoirs.rfi.fr/fr/APPRENDRE-ENSEIGNER

SELF-ASSESSMENTS The Swiss Self-Assessment Checklist and the Canadian Language Benchmarks “Can Do” Statements allow you to do a quick evaluation of what level you may have. Swiss: http://www.ebchochschule.de/fileadmin/ebc_daten/international_office/cefr_self_assessment_in_en glish.pdf Canadian: You can look at each level individually here: http://www.language.ca/index.cfm?Voir=sections&Id=17369&M=4038&Repertoire_N o=2137991327

Or you can download the entire pdf here: http://www.language.ca/documents/CLB_Can_Do_Statements_web.pdf The B2 level on the CEFR that we use is the equivalent of the Canadian Benchmark levels 6-7.

LOVE FRANCE, LEARN FRENCH Here is a list of 100 sites that offer free resources for learning French. These are not specifically designed to help prepare for the TCF, but they are still very useful for improving your French. http://www.lovefrance.info/learn-french-online-for-free/

NETVIBES LANGUAGE CENTRE LIBRARY This site offers a variety of tools, and this particular section links to news reports and journal articles from many different sources. During the compréhension écrite part of the TCF, you will have to read portions of texts like letters, newspaper articles, menus, announcements, etc. Reading about current events is a great way to improve your understanding of written French. Reading has also been proven to increase your vocabulary. http://www.netvibes.com/languagelibrary#Francais

POLAR FLE This website is pretty outdated, but it is a fun way to practice for the compréhension écrite and compréhension orale parts of the TCF. You read and listen to clues to solve a mystery. “Un Polar” in French is a detective novel. http://www.polarfle.com/