ƬƵ

Teaching in French

French Exams

To determine which test you need to take, you should ask yourself somequestions:

  • Do you want to work in a French or an English school/board?
  • Do you want to teach in Québec or in another province upon graduation?
  • Are you in the TESL program? (Requirementsmay bedifferent for ESL specialists.)

Here is an overview of the mostcommon French exams:

  1. éڰԳ:The Céfrancis the test that is the most widely accepted by school boards in Québec. This test is not recognized outside of Québec. To register, you need to contact the . It is also advised to read thoroughly the available on their website. For all subjects except ESL, Spanish, and vocational training, teachers need to pass test 1 and 2. ESL teachers must pass test 3 and 4.
  2. SEL:The SEL () is another French proficiency test, but not all school boards recognizeit, especially English school boards. The test is not recognized outside of Québec.Students should dotheir own research and determine the appropriate test based on their career objectives and their skill levels.The examination center offers a and on their website.
  3. շÉ:The TECFÉE is nota test ƬƵ Education students are permitted totake. Only Education students in French universities mustpass it. (It is considered the equivalent to the EETC).
  4. DELF/DALF:The DELF and DALF are six separate diplomas issued by the French Ministry for National Education to certify French language skills (see chart below). These diplomas are valid for life. DELF and DALF certificates are developed by the Centre International d’Etudes Pédagogiques (CIEP) and reflect the six levels of the Common European Framework ofReference for Languages (CEFRL). In2016, the DELF and DALF examinations are available in 173countries and are recognized worldwide.DELF and DALF evaluate language skills in four areas: oral comprehension, oral expression, writtencomprehension, and written expression. TheDALF is accepted by some English school boards. C1 is generally the minimum level expected for teaching positions. Visit the Canadian to get the list of examination centers.
CECRL DELF/DALF Proficiency level
C2 DALF C2 Advanced
C1 DALF C1 Advanced
B2 DELF B2 Independent
B1 DELF B1 Independent
A2 DELF A2 Beginner
A1 DELF A1 Beginner

Each school board has their own requirements regarding French exams. You are invited to check eachschool/board's website for their language policy for teachers. The passing grade can also be different. Please contact your Education Career Advisor (career.education [at] mcgill.ca)if you have additional questions regarding French exams.

French Proficiency Test Information Session:

This session further describes each French proficiency examination, how to register, and which ones are recommended for B.Ed. programs. This information session also provided details on which French proficiency tests local school boards recommend - EMSB, LBPSB, SWLSB, RSB, NFSB, CSSDM, CSSMB, CSSPI.PDF icon Access the presentation slides here.

Resources to improve your French skills

  • Consider takingFrench courses at ƬƵ. Make sure to discussthis possibility with your academic advisor.
  • The makes it possible for students to benefit from an immersion experience and improve their knowledge of one of Canada’s two official languages: French or English. The five-week spring or summer bursary program makes it possible for participants to learn their second language at an accredited educational institution while discovering a region of Québec or the rest of Canada. Participants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents.Bursaries are awarded by random draw. The bursary does not cover the registration fee, the travel costs and optional activities, and spending money.
  • is a MISN (ƬƵ International StudentNetwork) initiative thatfacilitates language exchanges between studentsfrom various universities in Montreal.
  • and regularly offerinexpensive French classes (e.g. beginner, intermediate conversational).
  • also offers affordable French classes.
  • : online exercises and resources to review grammar
  • Centre d'enseignement du français de ƬƵ: The Centre coordinates various projects and social events you can participate in to brush up your skills.

Some adult education centers and privates academies offer preparation classes for the Céfranc or the SEL:


ƬƵ University is on land which long served as a site of meeting and exchange amongst Indigenous peoples, including the Haudenosaunee and Anishinabeg nations. We acknowledge and thank the diverse Indigenous people whose footsteps have marked this territory on which peoples of the world now gather. Learn more.

Back to top