Two months ago, no one was talking about the TEF IRN. However, the year 2021 ended with this great news:
The TEF “Resident Card” and the TEF “Naturalization” are dead… Say hello to the TEF Integration, Residence & Nationality (or TEF IRN, for short) !
Oral expression and written expression have completely changed format and if you are taking the TEF to obtain residency or naturalization, you must prepare for these changes!
Presentation of the TEF IRN tests
The IRN TEF includes 4 tests :
- Written comprehension: 13 questions in MCQ format (30 minutes).
- Oral comprehension: 17 questions in MCQ format (10 minutes).
- Written expression: 2 sections (30 minutes).
- Oral expression: 2 sections (5 minutes each).
The 4 tests are compulsory.
All the tests, with the exception of the oral expression, are on computer.
The exam lasts 1 hour 20 minutes in total. All tests must be taken on the same day.
If your score is not enough, you will have to wait 30 days minimum and retake all the tests.
Score to reach
This new TEF is very specific and its objectives are specific depending on the level:
- A1 : enhance your level of French as part 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 the level A1, you must obtain a score greater than or equal to 100 in each tests.
- For the level A2, you must have a score greater than 167 in all the tests AND a score higher than 200 in at least 3 trials.
- For the level B1, you need a score higher than 267 in all the tests AND a score higher than 300 in at least 3 trials.
If you have a headache and need to re-read these explanations several times, that's completely normal!
Passage of the TEF IRN
You can take the exam by registering with a approved test center. The cost of the TEF IRN varies from one exam center to another. For example, at the Paris CCI it is 75 euros. You can therefore use this price as a reference, but you will have to contact your examination center to find out the exact amount.
You will receive your results 2 to 4 weeks after passing your exam. The results will be online and accessible through a link that you will receive in your mailbox.
Oral and written comprehension
The oral and written comprehension tests of the TEF IRN 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:
- Listen to messages.
- Read questions.
- Choose the correct answer from 4 options (QCM).
Documents can be:
- Messages on answering machine.
- Public announcements.
- Conversations between two people.
- News on the radio.
- Surveys.
They are always messages of everyday life.
Written comprehension :
You will have 13 questions and 30 minutes to answer them. In this test, you will:
- Read documents.
- Read questions.
- Choose the correct answer from 4 options (QCM).
Documents can be:
- Ads.
- Job offers.
- Menus.
- Mails.
- Newspaper articles.
Example – Speaking Section A
Statement (5 minutes):
“Help a friend make a decision: your friend is going on vacation soon. He/she hesitates between taking the plane and the train.”
- You need to help your friend make their decision.
- You can give your opinion, talk about your real or imagined personal experience, ask questions and give ideas.
Advice :
- In this first test, you will address always a friend. So use a standard language as well as the familiarity.
- You will also need always give advice, but also To ask questions to be in the dialogue. You really must be most active in conversation.
- Always read the instructions carefully. ask yourself what is the theme. Here we are talking about holidays and means of transport. You will therefore need to use a appropriate vocabulary.
Training tracks:
Spending 5 minutes talking about a subject that you don't know or don't like can seem like a long time...
Relax and just follow the instruction. Talk about (or make up) personal experiences. Ask questions using the technique of “QQCOQP” (who, what, how, where, when, why).
Thinking a little, you can find plenty of questions!
- "With Who are you leaving?”
- “Whatwould you like to do?”
- “How? 'Or' What would you rather go there?” (Perhaps he or she will already have a preference over plane or train.)
- “Or do you want to go?”
- “When are you going to leave/come back?”
- “Why do you bother to take the train? The plane is so much better!”
Example – Speaking Section B
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.”
Advice :
- For this second test, you will speak always to a stranger. So you will have to use the formality as well as'a standard language or supported.
- It will also be always necessary to To ask questions and of specify what you want.
- Identify the theme. Here it is called a hotel. We will therefore use the vocabulary around the room, the bathroom, the meals, the services included...
Training tracks:
Of course, 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 there! They are there to help you find questions.
Some questions will seem unavoidable such as price or location. Others will be more optional. It's up to you to determine that.
You can also use the “QQCOQP” we saw earlier:
- “Which can babysit during the day? Are there entertainers?”
- “What are the tourist activities we can do near the hotel ?”
- “How? 'Or' What can we access the hotel? Is there a bus stop nearby?”
- “Or is the hotel located exactly?”
- “When can we arrive/have to vacate the room?”
- “Why is there no indication of breakfast included?”
Some questions may seem more difficult to find… But don't worry! Examiners often go be vague in their responses. So you can use this to ask for clarification. If you really don't have any inspiration, the examiners will also help you through innocuous sentences… They will “throw you off”!
Example – Section A of the Written Expression
Statement (5 minutes):
Your friend has moved. You write him a message to get some news. You ask him/her about his/her new home, his/her neighborhood. 40 words minimum.
Advice :
- Read the instructions carefully and identify the theme.
- Locate the task. What should you do ?
- Use standard language and familiarity as you are speaking to a friend.
- Favor short, direct sentences. Express yourself naturally.
- Consider using linking words such as “but”, “or”, “and”…
- Write and reread your Section A in 10 minutes.
- You must write 40 words minimum, but in reality it is a bit short. Instead, try to write 50 or 60 words.
Example of writing:
Hi Lucie!
Marc told me that you had moved and I wanted to hear from you.
I know 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 call each other soon!
I kiss you,
Jen.
Example – Section B of the Written Expression
Statement (5 minutes):
“The advertisement below interests you. Describe your motivations for being chosen. 80 words minimum.
Association “My homework”
We are looking for people to help the neighborhood children with their homework twice a week. Are you interested?
Describe your motivations!”
Advice :
- Read the instructions carefully and identify the theme.
- Locate the task. What should you do?
- Use standard or supported language as well as formal address because you are addressing a stranger.
- Favor short, direct sentences. Express yourself naturally.
- Consider using connecting words such as "but", "or", "and" ...
- Write and reread your Section B in 20 minutes.
Example of writing:
Dear,
I'm contacting you following your advertisement in the newspaper concerning help with homework for children in the neighborhood. I am very interested and would like to apply for this position.
I've always loved working with children, and I'm also a summer camp leader every summer.
In addition, I am very available and I would really like to obtain more qualifications in this field. This announcement therefore seems perfect to me.
Pending a positive response from you, please accept, Madam, Sir, my sincere greetings.
Cordially,
Jennifer.
Conclusion
And that's the end of this article!
I must admit that this new TEF took me by surprise, but obviously I'm not the only one...
A 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, when everyone is used to this new format, I think the TEF IRN 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 lesson with me! During these lessons, I will make you pass the exam in real conditions and will assess your level. Click here to find out more about my TEF preparation courses.
Sources
TEF Integration, Residence and Nationality – Business French (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
