Until two months ago, no one was talking about the IRN TEF. Yet, 2021 ended with this big news:
The TEF "Resident Card" and the TEF "Naturalization" are dead... Say hello to the TEF Integration, Residence & Nationality (or TEF IRN, for those of you who know it)!
Speaking and writing have completely changed in format and if you are taking the TEF for residency or naturalization, you need to be prepared for these changes!
Presentation of the TEF IRN tests
The IRN TEF consists of 4 tests:
- Reading comprehension: 13 questions in MCQ format (30 minutes).
- Listening comprehension: 17 questions in MCQ format (10 minutes).
- Written expression: 2 sections (30 minutes).
- Oral expression: 2 sections (5 minutes each).
All 4 tests are compulsory.
All tests, except for the oral expression, are computer-based.
The exam lasts 1 hour and 20 minutes in total. All tests must be taken on the same day.
If your score is not sufficient, you will have to wait at least 30 days and retake all the tests.
Score to reach
This new TEF is very particular and its objectives are specific according to the level:
- A1: to enhance your level of French within the framework of the OFII citizen course.
- A2: certify your level of French to obtain the long-term resident card.
- B1: certify your level of French to obtain French nationality.
- For level A1, you must obtain a score of 100 or more in each of the tests.
- For level A2, you must have a score above 167 in all tests AND a score above 200 in at least 3 tests.
- For level B1 , a score above 267 in all tests AND a score above 300 in at least 3 tests is required.
If your head hurts and you need to reread these explanations several times, it's perfectly normal!
Passing the TEF IRN
You can take the exam by registering with an approved testing center. The cost of the TEF IRN varies from one test center to another. For example, at the Paris CCI it is 75 euros. You can use this price as a reference, but you will need to contact your test center to find out the exact amount.
You will receive your results 2 to 4 weeks after you take the exam. The results will be online and accessible through a link that you will receive in your mailbox.
Oral and written comprehension
The TEF IRN listening and reading tests are identical to those of the old TEF Resident Card .
Listening comprehension:
You will have 17 questions and 10 minutes to answer them. In this test you will have to:
- Listen to messages.
- Read questions.
- Choose the right answer from 4 options (MCQ).
The documents can be:
- Messages on answering machine.
- Public announcements.
- Conversations between two people.
- Information on the radio.
- Surveys.
These are always messages from everyday life.
Reading comprehension:
You will have 13 questions and 30 minutes to answer them. In this test, you will:
- Read documents.
- Read questions.
- Choose the right answer from 4 options (MCQ).
The documents can be:
- Advertisements.
- Job offers.
- Menus.
- Letters.
- Newspaper articles.
Example - Section A of Oral Expression
Statement (5 minutes):
"Help a friend make a decision: your friend is going on vacation soon. He/she is hesitating between taking the plane or the train."
- You need to help your friend make the decision.
- You can give your opinion, talk about your real or imaginary personal experience, ask questions and give ideas.
Tips:
- In this first test, you will always address a friend. Therefore, use standard language as well as first names.
- You should also always give advice, but also ask questions to be in the dialogue. You really need to be the most active in the conversation.
- Always read the instructions carefully. Ask yourself what the theme is. Here, we are talking about vacations and means of transport. You will have to use appropriate vocabulary.
Practice tracks:
Spending 5 minutes talking about a subject you don't know or don't like can seem like a long time...
Relax and simply follow the instructions. Talk about (or make up) personal experiences. Ask questions using the "QQCOQP" technique (who, what, how, where, when, why).
If you think about it, you can find lots of questions!
- " Who are you going with?"
- "Whatwould you like to do?"
- "How would you prefer to get there?" (Perhaps he or she will already have a preference on the plane or train).
- "Where do you wish to go?"
- "When are you going to leave/return?"
- "Why do you even bother taking the train? The plane is so much better!"
Example - Section B of Oral Expression
Statement (5 minutes):
"You want to book a hotel room. Call the hotel. Be specific about your request. Ask as many questions as possible about the services."
Tips:
- For this second test, you will always speak to a stranger. You will therefore have to use the polite form of address as well asstandard or sustainedlanguage.
- It will also always be necessary toask questions and clarify what you want.
- Find the theme. Here, we call a hotel. We are going to use the vocabulary around the room, the bathroom, the meals, the services included...
Practice tracks:
Sure, 5 minutes may seem like a long time... But it will always be about everyday situations. For example, you have already called a hotel to make a reservation, right?
Section B will always be in the form of a poster with pictograms. Use all the information on it! They are there to help you find questions.
Some questions will seem unavoidable such as price or location. Others will be more optional. It is up to you to determine this.
You can also use the "QQCOQP" technique we saw earlier:
- "Who can watch the children during the day? Are there facilitators?"
- "What tourist activities can we do near the hotel ?"
- "How can we get to the hotel? Is there a bus stop nearby?"
- "Where exactly is the hotel located?"
- "When can we arrive/should we vacate the room?"
- "Why is there no indication of the included breakfast?"
Some questions may seem harder to find... But don't worry! Examiners will often be vague in their answers. So you can exploit this to ask for clarification. If you are really uninspired, the examiners will also help you with innocuous phrases...They will "throw you some poles"!
Example - Section A of the Written Expression
Statement (5 minutes):
Your friend has moved. You write him/her a message to ask for news. You ask him/her about his/her new home, his/her neighborhood. 40 words minimum."
Tips:
- Read the instructions carefully and identify the theme.
- Locate the task. What do you need to do?
- Use standard language as well as first names, as you are talking to a friend.
- Keep your sentences short and to the point. Express yourself naturally.
- Remember to use linking words such as "but", "or", "and" ...
- Write and proofread your Section A in 10 minutes.
- You should write a minimum of 40 words, but in reality that's a bit short. Try to write 50 or 60 words instead.
Sample Essay:
Hi Lucie!
Marc told me that you had moved and I wanted to check up on you.
I know that your previous apartment was a bit dark, is this one brighter? How many square meters is it? And what neighborhood do you live in?
We should talk soon!
Love to you,
Jen.
Example - Section B of the Written Expression
Statement (5 minutes):
"You are interested in the announcement below. Describe your motivation to be selected. 80 words minimum.
My Homework" Association
We are looking for people to help neighborhood children with their homework twice a week. Are you interested?
Describe your motivations!"
Tips:
- Read the instructions carefully and identify the theme.
- Locate the task. What do you need to do?
- Use standard or formal language and be polite, as you are speaking to a stranger.
- Keep your sentences short and to the point. Express yourself naturally.
- Remember to use linking words such as "but", "or", "and" ...
- Write and proofread your section B in 20 minutes.
Sample Essay:
Madam, Sir,
I am contacting you following your advertisement in the newspaper concerning homework help for children in the neighborhood. I am very interested and would like to apply for this position.
I have always loved working with children, and I am a summer camp counselor every summer.
On the other hand, I am very available and I would really like to get more qualifications in this field. So this ad seems perfect to me.
I look forward to receiving your positive reply. Please accept, Madam, Sir, my sincere greetings.
Sincerely,
Jennifer.
Conclusion
And that's it, this article is already over!
I must admit that this new TEF took me by surprise, but obviously I'm not the only one...
One student told me that she has to retake her written expression because she was given the wrong subject on the day of her exam!
However, once everyone is used to this new format, I think the IRN TEF will be a good thing.
It allows students with a lower level to show their true level, whereas the old version of the exam was stricter and more difficult.
Are you taking the TEF IRN soon?
Book an online course with me! During these classes, I will take the exam in real-life conditions and evaluate your level. Click here to learn more about my TEF preparation courses.
Sources
TEF Integration, Residence and Nationality - Le français des affaires (lefrancaisdesaffaires.fr)
https://www.facebook.com/lefrancaisdesaffaires/videos/3011553865761547
Other examples of written expressions:
https://www.lefrancaisdesaffaires.fr/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/TEFIRN-Exemples-epreuves_EE.pdf
Other examples of oral expressions:
https://www.lefrancaisdesaffaires.fr/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/TEFIRN_Exemples-epreuves_EO.pdf
