TEF :(

[Bronwen]

Hi Francophones,

You can listen to the daily Swiss news broadcasts online, with subtitles.

Just be advised that there are a few differences in vocab, for example they use septante, huitante and novante for the numbers 70, 80 and 90.

I'm not able to post the link directly, but if you search for radio television suisse news you'll find it.

 

[Ramor02]

Oh no! How frustrating! You're really at the mercy of the local examiners for the speaking component. Maybe you'd get a better result at a different centre?

I'm going to do some serious exam-focussed speaking practice, take the exam again in 6 weeks, and if the results are still not good enough I'll take it further.

That is the spirit!!!

 

[Ramor02]

I started studying French from scratch on 22 nov 2017. I scheduled my test on 27 mar 2018. As I just had around 4 months to study, I studied hard. I bought an online course called cursodefrancesonline.com.br (is for Brazilian mainly, although it's possible to study from other mother tongue). There, I studied mainly writing (which they offered correction by french teachers for every unit studied), grammar, listening and reading. For the speaking skill, I started having classes with Iya (a Ukrainian girl who knows everything about TEF, TEFaQ, TCF, DALF, DELF, actually she is an examinatrice). She is quitte expensive for Brazilians, but I paid the price. I had 12 classes within those 4 months. She also helped me to tackle with writing test which I had to write by myself and she corrected before classes.

I used a piece of software to calculate how much time I spent studying not only on my mobile but also on my computer (RescueTime) and during this time I'd studied for around 550 hours and had those 12 hours of online private classes.

My results were:

COMPRÉHENSION ÉCRITE 259 C1 CLB 9
COMPRÉHENSION ORALE 271 B2 CLB 7
EXPRESSION ÉCRITE 308 B2 CLB 6
EXPRESSION ORALE 205 B1 CLB 4

I had to stop learning french because I needed to get my CLB 9 in the IELTS test. So, I tried the IELTS the first time on 10 apr 2018, without studying, and I got an overall 6.5, so I saw what I needed to focus on. I retested on 28 sep 2018 and got the CLB 10 (=D), and then switched to French again. I started studying seriously on 05 dec 2018 to revise everything, all the grammar again until advanced level.

From 01 feb 2019 I've been studying the test format again. I bought 7 private classes with Iya. 10 classes with another Brazilian teacher and other 15 classes with other two French teachers. I wanted to mix not to be stuck in one way of thinking. Moreover, I'm taking online virtual classes everyday in a new type of classes in cursodefrancesonline.com.br, there are 4 conversational class per day, with guided speaking, so I really hope to achieve the 310 I need in Writing and speaking. If I would say the total of hours I studied, I'd say almost 900 hours. I will retake the test on 13 mar 2019 and if I need to do it again, I'll redo on 07 july 19.

I really appreciate the links and sources you all have shared here. Thank you so much!

As soon as I have my new results I'll come back here.

But just to clarify, I think it is possible to get a CLB 7 in every skill as long as you study hard. I suggest to count your time and be strategist.

You are an inspiration!
How were you training for reading, especially for section C I found it challenging, I score B2 but still CLB6
It is impressive to get these results after such a short time studying. How were you practicing writing?

 

[Ramor02]

@Peacekeeper87 I hope you did not forget about me. Any tips for TEF writing will be appreciated. Thanks again. I am retaking the exam in 2 weeks.

May I ask what did you do to improve your writing and reading skills? my W and R are B2, CLB6, I need to boost them up to C1. Speaking and listening are good

 

[Ramor02]

Hello the first time I took the TEF test I got 217 for my speaking. The second time I got 394.My advice is to practice your speaking using a YouTube channel called propulse training. She has a lot of videos where she stimulates the speaking parts with students and she has good tips. Also practice by timing yourself and recording your voice. By doing that you will see how fluent your are or how confident you are when you speak . Also you can use David leblanc channel for some types of questions and responses for speaking part 1. What review materials did you use for your TEF preparation ? I used prepmyfuture and it prepared me very well for my second time. Good luck!

Hello,
Did you get the score you need in writing?

 

[Holyange]

Hello,
Did you get the score you need in writing?

Yes I got 394 for writing in my second attempt.

 

[Andrea Motta]

Hi, guys,

I've posted on another thread about a TEF novelty that surprised me: the grades apparently go up to 699 all, for every test (CE, CO, EE, EO). I had made the TEF on July and the grades were still as usual, but now it seems to have changed, without any notice.

For you to know, there were the punctuations I've received (CO is sadly still missing, sigh):

CE- 583 C1
EE- 537 C1
EO- 474 B2

I immediately called the school and, after confirming it with the people in France who corrected the tests, they confirmed these numbers were right. Strange, huh? What's worse, I still don't even know if those 474 points in EO are sufficient for a CLB 7. I can't find the new charts anywhere.

 

[Holyange]

May I ask what did you do to improve your writing and reading skills? my W and R are B2, CLB6, I need to boost them up to C1. Speaking and listening are good

Hello I am a French native speaker so it was not hard for me to improve my writing. My poor score in my first attempt in writing and speaking was due to lack of preparation and not living in a French environment for a long time. I reviewed French grammar rules and did all the writing assignments of prepmyfuture. Same thing for reading, I did all the assignments of prepmyfuture.

 

[Andrea Motta]

Hi, guys,

I've posted on another thread about a TEF novelty that surprised me: the grades apparently go up to 699 all, for every test (CE, CO, EE, EO). I had made the TEF on July and the grades were still as usual, but now it seems to have changed, without any notice.

For you to know, there were the punctuations I've received (CO is sadly still missing, sigh):

CE- 583 C1
EE- 537 C1
EO- 474 B2

I immediately called the school and, after confirming it with the people in France who corrected the tests, they confirmed these numbers were right. Strange, huh? What's worse, I still don't even know if those 474 points in EO are sufficient for a CLB 7. I can't find the new charts anywhere.

Has anybody heard anything about this?

 

[Holyange]

Hi, guys,

I've posted on another thread about a TEF novelty that surprised me: the grades apparently go up to 699 all, for every test (CE, CO, EE, EO). I had made the TEF on July and the grades were still as usual, but now it seems to have changed, without any notice.

For you to know, there were the punctuations I've received (CO is sadly still missing, sigh):

CE- 583 C1
EE- 537 C1
EO- 474 B2

I immediately called the school and, after confirming it with the people in France who corrected the tests, they confirmed these numbers were right. Strange, huh? What's worse, I still don't even know if those 474 points in EO are sufficient for a CLB 7. I can't find the new charts anywhere.

Did you take TEF Canada?

 

[Andrea Motta]

Did you take TEF Canada?

Yes, TEF Canada

 

[Holyange]

Has anybody heard anything about this?

I never heard of it. It might be a recent change. Maybe post a tweet on IRCC twitter page, they might be able to answer you.

 

[Ramor02]

Hi, guys,

I've posted on another thread about a TEF novelty that surprised me: the grades apparently go up to 699 all, for every test (CE, CO, EE, EO). I had made the TEF on July and the grades were still as usual, but now it seems to have changed, without any notice.

For you to know, there were the punctuations I've received (CO is sadly still missing, sigh):

CE- 583 C1
EE- 537 C1
EO- 474 B2

I immediately called the school and, after confirming it with the people in France who corrected the tests, they confirmed these numbers were right. Strange, huh? What's worse, I still don't even know if those 474 points in EO are sufficient for a CLB 7. I can't find the new charts anywhere.

They have changed the scoring system on the 1st of October 2019

 

[Holyange]

Yes, TEF Canada

It is a recent change then.

 

[Andrea Motta]

I never heard of it. It might be a recent change. Maybe post a tweet on IRCC twitter page, they might be able to answer you.

Good idea