TFI Exam for French Language Certification

Learning the French language has gained strength over the years, especially since it is used for international business communication. Professionals seeking to extend their knowledge to various countries that can be supported with the TFI certification.

The TFI or Test de Français International exam was developed to meet the corporate needs of the French language. This certifies the linguistic level of the non-native person to develop professionally communicating in French.

This test only determines the level of knowledge since it is not passed or failed. It is based on the CEFR "Common European Framework of Linguistic Reference" as it defines the international standard of competences.

It is generally used by those responsible for the human resources area in companies who have the need to determine the level of the language.

It is also used by language schools to specify groups, determine the progress of students and the results can be used as motivation for learning, admission criteria and even to award diplomas.

Measurement helps optimize training programs for the future.

With the TFI exam we can obtain a French certificate that determines the knowledge of the language and is used as the French title in a professional context.

Having the certification offered by the Test de Français International , supposes advantages such as validity, reliability, objectivity and availability, accessible price, availability of exam in standardized and international version; in addition, every year 4 new versions are presented to prevent one person from applying the same test twice.

TFI exam format

The TFI lasts 1 hour and 50 minutes, consists of 180 questions with multiple choice answers and is divided into two parts:

1. Oral comprehension ( comprehension orale ). This part of the exam lasts 42 minutes and consists of 3 stages:

1.1 Questions and answers ( questions / answers ), made up of 40 questions.

1.2 Dialogue ( dialogue ), made up of 30 questions.

1.3 Exhibition ( exposés ), includes 20 questions.

2. Written comprehension (written comprehension ). This part lasts 68 minutes and consists of 3 stages:

2.1 Incomplete phrases ( phrases incomplètes ). Formed by 25 questions.

2.2 Identification of errors ( identification de l' Erreur ). Made up of 24 questions.

2.3 Reading ( lecture ). Stage containing 40 questions.

The test assesses oral comprehension and written comprehension separately. Each of the parts of the exam has a scoring scale from 5 to 495 giving as a lump sum to average between 10 to 990 points.

The validity that the CEFR "Common European Framework of Reference" gives to the results is equivalent to levels A1, B1, B2 and C1 and the result commonly called " score report " has an estimated delivery time of around 7 calendar days.

For an easy interpretation of the results, both for the person who performed the test and for the evaluators, it is very useful to consult the equivalence table of the CEFR "Common European Framework of Reference". Here is an example of the basis for evaluation:

1. CEFR level: C1 experienced user / autonomous user.

1.1 Oral comprehension. He understands a news item or long speeches even if it is not clear, as well as TV shows and movies in the language without much effort.

1.2 Written comprehension. You can analyze long and complex literary texts, as well as differentiate styles, whether formal or contemporary. You can understand technical articles and long instructions even if they are not from your work or professional field.

2. CEFR level: B2 independent user / advanced user.

2.1 Oral comprehension. He can interpret long lectures and speeches and make arguments. You can also understand most language movies, TV shows, and news.

2.2 Written comprehension. You can read contemporary articles and literature in which the author expresses his point of view, as well as understand a literary prose text.

3. CEFR level: B1 independent user / user at threshold level.

3.1 Oral comprehension. You can understand the main points when the language is clear, when it is related to work, family, school and hobbies topics, you can also understand the basics of television shows that deal with current events spoken in a simple and slow way.

3.2 Written comprehension. Shows understanding when reading texts on current topics and related to the profession carried out, as well as the description of events and the description of personal wishes and feelings.

4. CEFR level: A2 intermediate user / elementary user.

4.1 Oral comprehension. Can understand everyday expressions and vocabulary, of personal concern such as family and work. Discern the message of advertisements expressed clearly and simply.

4.2 Written comprehension. You can read simple and short texts, as well as find predictable information in texts written with current topics such as brochures, schedules, menus, and also understand simple and short personal letters.

Structuring the TFI exam

The TFI is structured very similarly to the TOEIC " Test of English of international communication " and both are part of ETS "Higher Technical Schools".

Responding to the high demand of Francophone groups for professional development at an international level, the TFI is standardized and provides the most reliable results regardless of the test model used at the time.

It is not focused on a specific vocabulary knowledge, this can be used daily in the professional environment. In this way, the certification covers the needs of all people, whether they have a basic or advanced level of the French language.

The general content of the exam touches on various points of daily and professional life, among them, to mention a few, the following are listed:

- Personal issues.

- Investigation.

- Development of general processes.

- Shopping.

- Supply of materials and equipment for companies.

- Technical sectors.

- Health.

- Finance.

- Leisure.

- Travels.

A good tip to prepare for the TFI is to purchase a guide that contains a book as basic material and "CD" as supplementary material; In addition to these support elements, there is the possibility of preparing in a specialized language center.