Understanding the TEF Québec | TEF Foundations

The TEF Québec, often called the TEFAQ, is the version of the TEF accepted by the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration du Québec (MIFI) for provincial immigration selection. It is a shorter and more specific exam than TEF Canada: it tests only two skills, listening and speaking, and its scores are used by Québec's own selection system rather than by IRCC. If you are applying through a Québec immigration program, this is the test you need, and this lesson will give you a clear picture of what to expect.

What you’ll learn

Understand the purpose of the TEFAQ and which Québec immigration programs require it
Know which components the TEFAQ includes and how the test session is structured
Recognise the score thresholds that matter for Québec immigration selection
Know what makes the TEFAQ different from TEF Canada

What the TEFAQ is for

Québec manages its own immigration selection process separately from the federal government. The MIFI sets its own language requirements, and it accepts the TEFAQ (Compréhension orale and Expression orale components of the TEF) to assess French proficiency. Applicants for programs such as the Programme régulier des travailleurs qualifiés (PRTQ) and the Programme de l'expérience québécoise (PEQ) may need to submit TEFAQ results to earn points on the Grille de sélection or to meet a minimum threshold.

TEFAQ versus TEF Canada

TEFAQ: only listening and speaking; accepted by MIFI (Québec).
TEF Canada: all four skills; accepted by IRCC (federal).
If you hold a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) and then apply for permanent residence federally, IRCC will ask for TEF Canada or TCF Canada, not TEFAQ.

The two TEFAQ components

The TEFAQ consists of exactly two components. You cannot take only one of them; both are required for a valid TEFAQ certificate accepted by MIFI.

Compréhension orale (listening): 60 multiple-choice questions, 40 minutes. Recordings include short announcements, conversations, phone messages, radio interviews, and longer reports.
Expression orale (speaking): two tasks, approximately 15 minutes total. Task A is a phone role-play to gather information; Task B asks you to describe a situation based on an advertisement and argue your point.

A sample TEFAQ Expression orale Task A scenario

Vous téléphonez à une agence de voyages pour obtenir des informations sur un circuit touristique en France. Posez une dizaine de questions à l'agent.
You call a travel agency to get information about a tour in France. Ask approximately ten questions to the agent. This is a classic Task A: you ask questions, the examiner plays the agent and responds. You need a variety of question forms and vocabulary.

How scores work in Québec immigration

TEFAQ scores are converted to the Niveaux de compétence en français pour les personnes immigrantes adultes (NCLC) scale, which is Québec's equivalent of CLB. The MIFI awards selection points based on your NCLC levels. The exact points depend on the program and the current grille de sélection.

NCLC 7 to 9 in oral skills is typically enough to earn the French oral proficiency points in the PRTQ.
Higher NCLC levels (10 to 12) earn more selection points and improve your overall score.
Some programs, like the PEQ for francophone graduates, have specific minimum thresholds; check the MIFI website for current requirements.

Certificate validity

Your TEFAQ certificate is valid for two years from the test date.
If your immigration application takes more than two years to process, you may need to retest.
Plan your test date carefully relative to your expected application timeline.

A calm approach to the test

The TEFAQ is an oral exam, and nervousness can hurt your speaking performance more than any gap in vocabulary. The examiner is not trying to catch you out; they are looking for evidence that you can communicate clearly and accomplish real-world oral tasks. In the listening section, you will hear each recording once, so the key is to read the question before the audio starts and focus on what you need to find.

In the listening section, read each question and the four options before the audio starts. Know what you are listening for.
In the speaking Task A, ask your questions one at a time, clearly. You do not need complex grammar; you need clear questions that get you the information.
In the speaking Task B, describe the advertisement briefly, then spend most of your time on your argument. Use a simple structure: position, two or three reasons, short conclusion.
Speak at a comfortable pace. Speaking too fast causes more errors than speaking a little slowly.

A strong opening for TEFAQ Expression orale Task B

Je voudrais vous parler de cette annonce qui propose des cours de cuisine. Je pense que cette activité est une excellente idée pour plusieurs raisons.
I would like to tell you about this advertisement for cooking classes. I think this activity is an excellent idea for several reasons. This opening names the advertisement, states a clear position, and signals that reasons are coming. Short and effective.

How to practise for TEFAQ

1Download the official TEFAQ sample questions from the CCI Paris Île-de-France website and complete at least one full timed listening practice.
2Record yourself doing a Task A role-play: choose a topic (hotel, restaurant, transport), write ten questions, then speak them aloud with a timer.
3Record yourself doing a Task B: describe a simple advertisement and give two reasons why you agree or disagree with the offer.
4Listen to Québec French regularly: Ici Radio-Canada Première and Ici Télé have free audio and video in Canadian French, which is the variety you will hear on the test.
5Ask a language partner or tutor to play the examiner role in mock Task A practice.

Get comfortable with Québec French

The TEFAQ listening section uses standard French with some Québec accent and vocabulary.
Words like "magasiner" (to shop), "courriel" (email), and "fin de semaine" (weekend) are common in Québec French.
Listening to Ici Radio-Canada for 15 minutes daily for a few weeks will make the accent familiar and less distracting on test day.

Key takeaways

The TEFAQ tests only two skills, listening and speaking, and is accepted by MIFI for Québec provincial immigration selection.
It is not accepted by IRCC for federal immigration; you need TEF Canada or TCF Canada for federal programs.
Scores convert to NCLC levels, and NCLC 7 to 9 is typically sufficient to earn oral French points in the PRTQ.
The certificate is valid for two years; plan your test date relative to your expected application timeline.
Listening to Québec French radio before your test will make the accent and some local vocabulary feel familiar on test day.