Comment se préparer à l’épreuve de compréhension orale du TEF ?
Preparing for the listening comprehension test
- Presentation of the test
- How to prepare?
- Online practice tests
1) Presentation of the test
The TEF Canada listening comprehension test lasts 40 minutes and consists of 40 questions related to everyday life. The audio recordings include public announcements, interviews, conversations, radio programs, etc.
In this test, there are different types of questions :
| Questions 1 to 4 | Conversations with drawings | Understanding dialogues |
| Questions 5 to 20 | Public announcements, answering machine messages, vox pops | Understanding short messages |
| Questions 21 to 30 | Radio chronicles, interviews, radio reports | Understanding interviews |
| Questions 31 to 40 | Various audio documents | Understanding various documents from everyday life |
There are several answer options for each question, but only one is correct. A correct answer earns you 1 point. If your answer is incorrect or if you do not answer, you earn no points. You do not lose any points if you do not answer.
Which TEF tests include an oral comprehension section?
This section is included in the TEF Canada, TEFAQ, and TEF IRN tests.However, the duration of the section will be different for the TEF IRN (10 min – 17 questions). The questions will mainly focus on everyday life.
2) How to prepare for the exam?
Contrary to what one might think, the best way to prepare for the test is not just to do practice tests available on YouTube. Of course, these tests are useful for familiarizing yourself with the test format and learning how to manage your time to answer all the questions.
But you need to listen to a variety of audio recordings on a regular basis to get used to spoken French, different accents, formal and informal language, listening to voices against a noisy background, etc.
The best way to do this is to listen to the radio, watch videos, films, television news, and programs in French. There are also very useful online resources with authentic audio recordings.
In fact, you will most likely hear reports, programs, or interviews from RFI or Radio Canada. The audio recordings that accompany the official TEF training book include recordings from these two radio stations.
Most YouTube channels, such as TEF Training, offer practice tests with “manufactured” audio recordings. These manufactured recordings are written and scripted to resemble authentic recordings. These practice tests are still useful, but they should be supplemented with listening activities using authentic recordings.
Here are some links to websites where you can listen to authentic audio recordings:
3) Take TCF and DELF practice tests
To practice for the TEF, you can use other tests.
Most French tests are very similar. Taking TCF practice tests, for example, is also a good way to prepare for the TEF exam.
Here are two useful links:
Tests de compréhension DELF, TCF, DFP
Conclusion
Continue watching videos from TEF Training and other YouTube channels to practice. But don’t stop there.
Watch French television, listen to the radio, watch YouTube videos, etc. You need to listen to a variety of audio material, because that’s what you’ll hear on the day of the exam.
And take TCF and other online tests to work on your comprehension.
Good luck!
