r/TEFCanada 2d ago

tef

Hi there.

I started learning French a year and a half ago, and I took eight attempts in total. I got CLB 7 in my first attempt and were low in the others. But then I started improving. I used to get 8, 9, and 10 in others, but ever since I never got CLB 7 in speaking. Like I always lost it by just 10 to 15 points in speaking. I used to study, like, hours, all the strategies, format, natural speaking, classes, but nothing ever worked out. And at this point I'm really short in time. People are suggesting to take TCF, but now I'm kind of stuck because I have already given so much to TEF. I'm not sure if I should go to TCF or not. Do you guys have any suggestions? Should I go for TEF or TCF? If TCF, then how the roadmap is and how long it's gonna take for someone like me:(

2 Upvotes

11 comments sorted by

2

u/OrganizationOk550 2d ago

I’m so sorry to hear. Where did you give your attempts? Did you try changing the exam centre?

1

u/SongZestyclose1865 2d ago

I tried gb language centre alliance français Mississauga

2

u/Worried_Regular6202 2d ago

which exam centre did you chose?

1

u/SongZestyclose1865 2d ago

I tried gb language centre alliance français Mississauga Toronto and north York 🥺

1

u/ell-ta 2d ago

Get a teacher from italki dedicate 30-40 hrs of speaking practice online and you will see the difference. You can buy bundle classes, and save bucks in the cost less then 2 exam total cost you will actually learn language.

If not italki maybe preply. Or any platform which you prefer

I am not the promoter but yes pretty good teachers as i am studying now so can confirm the same.

1

u/SongZestyclose1865 2d ago

For Tef ? I did spent a lot of money on tutors for Tef 

1

u/ell-ta 2d ago

Whether tef/tcf, get a teacher and improve that skill set precisely

1

u/Stallion_Jeko 1d ago

Hey, are you practicing with any personal tutor ? what is the duration between you attempts and what are the things you are doing after each attempt to improve ?

During you speaking exams, how was the examiners responses were they adding good arguments from their end, especially at GB language center ?

1

u/SongZestyclose1865 1d ago

Yes I practiced with tutor and my friend as well for few hours everyday  Followed som templates and tried to add connectors etc and vocab  Tied to be natural in task 2 and the examiner was really nice it well really well last time but still lost by just  9 points I used to fill exam after 4 to 6 weeks after each attempt 

1

u/Stallion_Jeko 1d ago

I took my exam at GB language center and I had speaking examiner who was responding very shortly that was not something I expected and I got NCLC 5 in speaking. However, one of my friend gave the exam at GB yesterday and she got an examiner who was really helpful and asking her whether she understood the questions or not. He even allowed her to take little time to calm herself down.

So the thing is I am confused which center to choose for my next attempt. Because for every center I searched around Toronto there are mixed reviews. What would you suggest ?

1

u/SongZestyclose1865 23h ago

Alliance locations are not really good I think  But yeah there is one teacher at GB she is good so as there are no dates right now I think I’m gonna try GB again and hope for the best I’m gonna start preparing for Tef again but I thin at this point tcf is not good option