Test de Connaissance du Français (TCF)

The Center for the Teaching of French at Yale is an accredited Center for the TCF (Test de Connaissance du Français). The TCF is a language placement test for non-native speakers of French who wish to obtain a simple, effective, and precise evaluation of their general language skills, whether it be for academic, professional, or personal reasons. Candidates to Sciences Po (Institut d’Etudes Politiques) are expected to take this exam to apply.

The TCF is made up of two parts:

1) The first part is divided into three mandatory tests:
- Compréhension orale
- Maîtrise des structures de la langue
- Compréhension Écrite

2) There are also two optional tests:
- Expression orale
- Expression Écrite

The Center for the Teaching of French at Yale is also an accredited Center for the TCF-DAP (Test de Connaissance du Français pour la Demande d'Admission Préalable ˆ l'entrée dans les universités françaises), for candidates applying to enter a French university (1st year only), or a school of architecture.

The TCF-DAP is made up of two parts:

1) The first part is the same as for the TCF (see above).

2) There is also an additional written test, which is compulsory.

For more details about the TCF-DAP, please contact education@consulfrance-boston.org or scule.WASHINGTON-AMBA@diplomatie.gouv.fr

Both the TCF and the TCF-DAP are valid for two years.

The session of the TCF will take place on:

Sunday, October 26, 2008 (register by October 8)
(TCF and TCF for the DAP will be given)

To register for the test, please contact Sharon Straka.

How to register for the TCF:

If you are interested in taking the TCF, please fill out the registration form and send it along with a check for the test and options you chose.

The fee for the minimum mandatory TCF test is $100.

Each additional optional test is $40.

The full exam (minimum test + 2 optional tests) is $150.

The fee for the TCF-DAP is $140.

Checks should be payable to Yale University and be sent by mail to:

Sharon Straka
Center for the Teaching of French-Yale University
P.O.Box 208206
New Haven, CT 06520-8206

How to practice for the TCF

There are many resources available to practice for the TCF.

Books:
- Guide officiel d’entraînement au TCF: www.didierfle.com

- Le Nouvel Entraînez-vous 250 activités – TCF: www.cle-inter.com

- CD-Rom d’entraînement au TCF: www.cned.fr

Websites:
-Everything you need to know about the TCF on the CIEP website: http://www.ciep.fr/en/tcf/preparation.htm

-Sample tests on the RFI website: http://www.rfi.fr/lffr/questionnaires/073/questionnaire_19.asp

For more information, please contact Sharon Straka by email at sharon.straka@yale.edu or by telephone at (203) 436-4344.

You can also visit the websites of the CIEP (www.ciep.fr/en/tcf) and of the Cultural and Educational services of the French Embassy in the United States (www.frenchculture.org )

The candidates to Sciences Po should check this website: www.sciences-po.fr to find out more information concerning the conditions to apply.