Register
Contact

LANGUAGE &
EUROPEAN PROJECTS EXPERT

Our core business : European mobility and languages
Home » TCF IRN

The TCF Integration, Residence and Nationality (TCF IRN) meets the following provisions:

  • decree n°2016-1456 of October 28, 2016 and the order of February 21, 2018 of the Ministry of the Interior relating to the control of the knowledge of the French language for applicants for the long-term resident card;
  • the decree of December 30, 2019 of the Ministry of the Interior relating to the control of the knowledge of the French language for applicants for the acquisition of French nationality.

The TCF IRN can also be used as part of the validation of level A1 (OFII citizen course).

We can confirm the passing of the exam if we have a minimum of 3 people registered for the same date.
Registration is done online: here
The end of registration for the TCF IRN is at 4 p.m. Any registration made beyond this will not be taken into account.

  • Exam on 12/04/2024 – Registration closes on 18/03/2024 at 4pm
  • Exam on 17/05/2024 – Registration closes on 18/04/2024 at 4pm
  • Exam on 14/06/2024 – Registration closes on 21/05/2024 at 4pm
  • Exam on 19/07/2024 – Registration closes on 25/06/2024 at 4pm
  • Exam on 23/08/2024 – Registration closes on 29/07/2024 at 4pm
  • Exam on 20/09/2024 – Registration closes on 27/08/2024 at 4pm
  • Exam on 18/10/2024 – Registration closes on 24/09/2024 at 4pm
  • Exam on 15/11/2024 – Registration closes on 18/10/2024 at 4pm
  • Exam on 06/12/2024 – Registration closes on 12/11/2024 at 4pm

The TCF IRN (preparation for the exam + passing the exam) can be financed by your Personal Training Account (CPF)

The TCF IRN is made up of 4 compulsory tests assessing general French language skills:

  • Listening comprehension 15 min : Collective test: 20 multiple-choice questions (4 answer choices, only one correct answer)
  • Written comprehension 20 min : Collective test: 20 multiple-choice questions (4 answer choices, only one correct answer)
  • Written expression 30 min : Collective test: 3 exercises
  • Oral expression 10 min : Individual test face to face with an examiner: 3 exercises

The TCF IRN exclusively assesses language skills and not knowledge of French history, culture and society.

The TCF IRN has a total duration of 1 hour 15 minutes:
Oral comprehension: 15 minutes
Written comprehension: 20 minutes
Written expression: 30 minutes
Oral expression: 10 minutes

ORAL COMPREHENSION

These questions test the ability to understand spoken French, such as, for example:

  • familiar words and common expressions in common communication situations (dialogues, interviews, talks, telephone discussions, etc.);
  • the essentials of simple and clear messages and announcements;
  • information relating to persons, facts or events in
  • radio or television programs on current events or on personal or professional matters;
  • presentations dealing with concrete or abstract subjects;
  • any kind of speech delivered at a fluent rate.

This test consists of multiple-choices questions (MCQs). For each question, there are 4 answer choices (A, B, C, D) but only one answer is correct.

The tests are presented according to a principle of progressive difficulty.

WARNING: Each recording is broadcast only once. The question is asked after listening to the sound document.

WRITTEN COMPREHENSION

These questions test the ability to understand written French, such as, for example:

  • familiar names, very simple words and phrases used in communication situations (messages and friendly or administrative letters);
  • information contained in current documents (classified advertisements, prospectuses, menus and timetables, etc.);
  • information about people, facts or events (personal letters);
  • texts in everyday language relating to daily life or work;
  • articles and reviews in which the authors take a position on concrete or abstract subjects;
  • long and complex factual or literary texts, specialized articles;
  • abstract or complex texts taken from books, specialized articles.

This test consists of multiple-choices questions (MCQs). For each question, there are 4 answer choices (A, B, C, D) but only one answer is correct.
The tests are presented according to a principle of progressive difficulty

ORAL EXPRESSION

This test tests the ability to express oneself in French orally and is composed of 3 tasks:
Task 1 – Directed interview without preparation (3 minutes): the candidate must demonstrate his ability to communicate with a person they don’t know (the examiner).
Task 2 – Exercise in interaction without preparation (3 minutes 30): the candidate must demonstrate his ability to obtain information in a situation of everyday life. The status of the interlocutor and the candidate are specified in the instructions.
Task 3 – Expression of a point of view without preparation (3 minutes 30): the candidate demonstrates the ability to speak spontaneously, continuously and persuasively by answering a question chosen by the examiner.
In this test, the candidate is assessed on his ability to:

  • talk about oneself, one’s environment, family and professional;
  • ask questions appropriate to the proposed communication situation;
  • give their opinion and explain the advantages and disadvantages of a project, express their agreement and disagreement;
  • present a clear and structured argument in a style appropriate to the context;
  • present complex topics in a detailed and structured way, develop them and conclude them.

WRITTEN EXPRESSION

This test tests the ability to express oneself in French in writing and is made up of 3 tasks:
Task 1: describe a person, a group of people, a place, an object to someone in a short message in response to a question asked by one or more interlocutors in a short message. Expected word count: minimum 30 words/maximum 60 words.
Task 2: write a story of daily activities for one or more recipients to write an experience report or story. Expected word count: minimum 40 words/maximum 90 words
Task 3: give their opinion about a place, an object, a person / group of people to one or more people. Expected word count: minimum 40 words/maximum 90 words.
In this test, the candidate is assessed on his ability to:

  • communicate a message clearly;
  • provide the requested information;
  • describe, tell, explain;
  • justify a choice, a position, a decision, …;
  • link ideas and demonstrate coherence in their speech;
  • express their opinion and argue it;
  • use vocabulary and structures adapted to the task requested.

WARNING! The copy of written expression could be evaluated “A1 not achieved” if:

  • the writing is not legible (in the event of a paper handover);
  • each task is not completed with the required number of words;
  • production is off topic;
  • one or several tasks are not performed

RESULTS

You will get your certificate 4-5 weeks after taking your test. You will have to collect your certificate directly from the center where you took the TCF IRN tests: at ALFMED with your identity document. If you are not the one coming to collect the certificate, the person must present their identity document as well as that of the candidate. If the candidate cannot come and collect the certificate, he must provide a registered letter already paid for with the postal address, so that the center can send him the certificate.

Your certificate will be valid for 2 years from the date of issue of the results.
WARNING! Only one copy of your certificate will be issued to you. It is therefore recommended to keep a copy of your certificate.
In case of insufficient results, you can reapply for the TCF IRN. However, you will have to wait one month between each TCF test, regardless of the version concerned.

Contact us
TCF training
CANDIDATE MANUAL