If you are preparing for TEF Canada expression écrite, the good news is that the test has only two writing tasks, and both follow a pattern you can rehearse. This guide explains each section, gives you a simple structure to reuse, and lists the habits that separate a safe NCLC 7 text from a risky one. Everything here is general guidance in our own words, not official exam content.
How the TEF Canada writing test works
Expression écrite is one of the four TEF Canada sections, alongside compréhension écrite, compréhension orale and expression orale. It is a single timed session, normally about 60 minutes, in which you complete two tasks. Your texts are marked by human evaluators, not by an automatic system.
- Two sections, not three: a shorter creative continuation (Section A) and a longer argumentative letter (Section B).
- Minimum lengths apply: each section has a minimum number of words. Writing well under it means you have not completed the task.
- You share the clock: the time is for both sections together, so you must split it yourself.
Timings, word counts and the delivery method (paper or computer) can be changed by the test organisers. Check the current format with the CCI Paris Île-de-France or your test centre before you book.
Section A: continue the news story
You are given the opening of a short news item (a fait divers) and you must write what happens next so the story reads as one piece. The minimum is roughly 80 words, so this is the quick section.
- Match the style. A news item is factual and usually in the past tense. Keep the same tone as the opening you were given.
- Answer the obvious questions. Who did what, where, when, and what was the result? A few concrete details make the text feel real.
- Do not change the story. Continue from where the text stops. Contradicting the opening is a common way to lose points.
- Keep it short and clean. Two or three short paragraphs with accurate verbs beat a long text full of mistakes.
Section B: the argumentative letter
In Section B you read a short prompt, often an opinion or a claim, and write a letter to a newspaper or an official that explains and defends your position. The minimum is roughly 200 words, and this section carries the most weight, so give it the larger share of your time.
- Take a clear side. Decide in the first minute whether you agree, disagree or partly agree, and stay consistent.
- Use a formal letter format. Open with Madame, Monsieur, and close politely. Use vous, never tu.
- Support every claim. Each argument needs a reason and, ideally, a concrete example.
- Show you understand the other side. One sentence that acknowledges an opposing view, followed by your answer to it, makes the letter more convincing.
A sample structure you can reuse
| Part | What to write | Share of the text |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | Greeting, then one or two sentences that say why you are writing and which position you take | about 15% |
| Argument 1 | Your strongest reason, with an example | about 25% |
| Argument 2 | A second reason, plus a brief nod to the opposing view | about 30% |
| Conclusion | Restate your position in new words, add a hope or a request, polite closing | about 15% |
Spend the first three to five minutes of Section B planning: write your position and two arguments in a few words each on scrap paper. A text with a plan almost always reads better than one written line by line from the first idea that comes to mind.
What writing level do you need?
- Express Entry French bonus: the usual target is NCLC 7 in all four skills, writing included.
- C16 Francophone Mobility work permit: generally NCLC 5 in oral skills only, so writing does not count for this permit.
Your TEF writing score is converted to an NCLC level using an official IRCC chart. We do not reproduce score bands here because they can change; check the current table on the IRCC website. For the bigger picture, see our TEF Canada guide, our NCLC 7 guide and the page on how many points NCLC 7 is worth.
Mistakes that cost points
- Falling short of the minimum. Count your words during practice so you know what 80 and 200 words look like in your handwriting or on screen.
- Spending too long on Section A. It is the shorter task; do not let it eat the time Section B needs.
- Wrong register. Section B needs a formal letter. Mixing tu and vous, or using slang, signals that you misread the situation.
- Opinion without reasons. Saying je suis contre three times is not an argument. Give a reason each time.
- One block of text. Paragraphs make your plan visible.
- Translating word by word from English. Write the simple French you know well rather than complex phrasing that goes wrong.
- No proofreading. Keep two or three minutes to check verb endings, agreements, accents and spelling.
Get used to writing in French under time pressure
FrenchPathway gives you TCF & TEF-style practice you can try for free, so exam conditions feel familiar on test day.
Try 3 free questions → No card. No email. Start in 10 seconds.A weekly practice routine
| Day | Activity | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Mon | Section A: read a short news item in French, then write a continuation of at least 80 words | 20 min |
| Wed | Section B: plan in 5 minutes, then write a formal letter of at least 200 words | 35 min |
| Fri | Full simulation: both sections back to back in about 60 minutes, no dictionary | 60 min |
| Weekend | Review: correct your texts, list your three most frequent mistakes, rewrite one paragraph | 20 min |
Keep a small notebook of the errors you repeat. Fixing one recurring mistake per week improves your score faster than writing more and more new texts without checking them.
Useful connectors and phrases
- Starting a formal letter: Madame, Monsieur, / Je vous écris au sujet de…
- Giving your position: Je suis tout à fait d'accord avec…, Je ne partage pas l'avis de…
- Ordering arguments: tout d'abord, en outre, par ailleurs, enfin
- Contrasting: cependant, en revanche, certes… mais…
- Giving a reason or result: parce que, c'est pourquoi, par conséquent
- Narrating a news item: soudain, quelques heures plus tard, selon les témoins, finalement
- Closing: En conclusion…, Dans l'attente de votre réponse, / Veuillez agréer, Madame, Monsieur, mes salutations distinguées.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the TEF Canada writing test?
The expression écrite is a single timed session, normally about 60 minutes, for two tasks. Timings can change, so confirm the current format with the CCI Paris Île-de-France or your test centre.
How many words do I need to write in TEF Canada expression écrite?
Each section has a minimum length: roughly 80 words for Section A and roughly 200 words for Section B. Always follow the limits shown in your exam instructions, because they can be updated.
What is the difference between Section A and Section B?
Section A asks you to continue a short news story in a factual style. Section B asks you to write a formal letter that defends a point of view with reasons and examples. Section B is longer and counts for more of your time.
What writing level do I need for Express Entry?
For the French bonus points the key target is NCLC 7 in every skill, including writing. The C16 Francophone Mobility work permit generally only needs oral skills. Always confirm current thresholds on the official IRCC website.
Is TEF Canada expression écrite marked by a person?
Yes. Trained evaluators assess your texts, looking at task completion, organisation, vocabulary and grammar.
How can I practise TEF Canada writing alone?
Write each section under a timer, count your words, then reread and correct the text, noting repeated mistakes. Feedback from a teacher or exchange partner helps you catch habits you cannot see yourself.
General information as of October 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Test formats, thresholds and score equivalencies change; verify current requirements on the official IRCC website. No practice method guarantees a score. FrenchPathway is an independent exam-prep service, not affiliated with IRCC, France Éducation international, or the CCI Paris.
