Last Updated On 13 July 2023, 5:20 PM EDT (Toronto Time)
Express Entry draws for NCLC 7 French Language Proficiency among the category based draws has emerged as a game changer for profiles with low Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
So far around 71% (6,100 out of 8,600) of invitations to apply (ITAs) issued under category based draws went to French speaking profiles.
CRS Cutoff scores one of the lowest in an Express Entry draw, in last 2 years.
| Date | Number of Invitations | CRS Cutoff Score |
|---|---|---|
| July 12, 2023 | 3,800 | 375 |
| July 7, 2023 | 2,300 | 439 |
These draws came out as a blessing for Express Entry profiles with low CRS score, but having high proficiency in French, who were not standing a chance in ‘no program specified draws’ due to high cutoff.
Familiarize yourself with 2 words: ‘Francophone’ means French-Speaking and ‘Francophile’ means French loving (or a person who is fond of or greatly admires France or the French as per Google).
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Eligibility Criteria For Francophone Draws
As per IRCC instructions, Express Entry profiles with French-language test results that show a minimum score of 7 in all 4 language abilities on the NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens) will be considered for Francophone draws.
Furthermore, these results should be less than 2 years old on the date the officer receives complete application from the invited profiles, NOT on the date of ITAs sent.
If a profile receives an ITA under French category because their language test was less than 2 years old on draw date, but their French test results turns 2 year old before officer receives a complete application, they will not qualify under French category.
NCLC 7 French Language Proficiency Express Entry
If French is your first language, then below listed is basic minimum requirement to even create an Express Entry profile.
| Express Entry Program | French Language Proficiency |
|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) | A minimum of NCLC 7 in all 4 abilities |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program | NCLC 5 in speaking and listening NCLC 4 in reading and writing |
| Canadian Experience Class | NCLC 5 in all 4 abilities for TEER 2 or 3 NOCs NCLC 7 in all 4 abilities for TEER 0 or 1 NOCs |
There are only two language tests (TEF or TCF) eligible for French to claim CRS scores in the Express Entry system.
Similar to English test CLB levels, French tests have NCLC levels as listed below.
TEF (Test d’Evaluation de Français) Format & Score Chart
The TEF is an international test that measures how well a person knows and can use French based on below listed 4 abilities:
- Oral comprehension: 40 min – 60 questions
- Written comprehension: 60 min – 50 questions
- Oral expression: 15 min – 2 topics to cover
- Written expression: 60 min – 2 topics to cover
| NCLC Level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 263-300 | 393-450 | 316-360 | 393-450 |
| 9 | 248-262 | 371-392 | 298-315 | 371-392 |
| 8 | 233-247 | 349-370 | 280-297 | 349-370 |
| 7 | 207-232 | 310-348 | 249-279 | 310-348 |
| 6 | 181-206 | 271-309 | 217-248 | 271-309 |
| 5 | 151-180 | 226-270 | 181-216 | 226-270 |
| 4 | 121-150 | 181-225 | 145-180 | 181-225 |
TCF (Test de connaissance du français) Format & Score Chart
The TCF Canada is made up of 4 tests to check for general French skills as listed below:
- Comprehension Listening (Duration: 35 minutes) – There are 39 multiple-choice questions with four different answers, but only one right answer.
- Comprehension Reading (Duration: 60 minutes): Again 39 multiple-choice questions, but there is only one right answer.
- Written skills (Duration: 60 minutes): 3 writing tasks
- Verbal skills (Duration: 12 minutes; 2 of which are for preparation): One-on-one test with an examiner: three tasks
| NCLC Level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 and above | 549-699 | 16-20 | 549-699 | 16-20 |
| 9 | 524-548 | 14-15 | 523-548 | 14-15 |
| 8 | 499-523 | 12-13 | 503-522 | 12-13 |
| 7 | 453-498 | 10-11 | 458-502 | 10-11 |
| 6 | 406-452 | 7-9 | 398-457 | 7-9 |
| 5 | 375-405 | 6 | 369-397 | 6 |
| 4 | 342-374 | 4-5 | 331-368 | 4-5 |
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What are the 2 eligible tests for French language proficiency Express Entry?
Below listed are 2 eligible tests for French language proficiency Express Entry:
1. TEF stands for (Test d’Evaluation de Français)
2. TCF stands for (Test de connaissance du français)
How much is NCLC 7 French language proficiency Express Entry?
NCLC 7 French language proficiency Express Entry:
For TEF NCLC 7 means 207-232 in reading, 310-348 in speaking, 249-279 in writing, and 310-348 in speaking.
For TCF NCLC 7 means 453-498 in reading, 458-502 in speaking, 10-11 in writing, and 10-11 in speaking.
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