TEF Canada Writing Guide

TEF Canada Expression écrite

Sections A & B

Learn what each writing task requires, see useful French examples, identify the weakness holding back your performance, and choose the right preparation step for your situation.

Check My Writing Weakness See Sections A & B
Official format clearly explained English guidance French examples

Diagnosis First

Why Writing More French Is Not Always Enough

Many candidates practise regularly but repeat the same hidden problem. Before you study more vocabulary or memorize more connectors, identify which part of your writing process needs work.

Task misunderstanding

You write correct French, but your response does not fully do what Section A or B asks.

Weak development

Your ideas are relevant but too short, repetitive, or unsupported by a clear reason and example.

Language control

Repeated tense, agreement, syntax, or word-choice errors make your message less precise.

Time pressure

You can write well at home, but planning, drafting, and checking both sections takes too long.

Official Test Structure

TEF Canada Expression écrite Format

The written expression test has two different jobs. Section A tests narrative continuity. Section B tests your ability to take and support a position. Use a different plan for each.

Section A

La suite d’un article

25 minutes

You receive the beginning of an article and write a logical continuation of at least 80 words.

  • Continue the same event, people, place, and situation.
  • Use clear sequencing and suitable past tenses.
  • Add believable details without changing the original story.
« Quelques minutes plus tard, les secours sont arrivés sur place. Selon un témoin, le conducteur avait perdu le contrôle de son véhicule à cause de la pluie. » Original TEF-style example created for practice; not an official exam question.
Section B

Exprimer un point de vue

35 minutes

You express and justify a viewpoint in at least 200 words. A clear opinion needs developed reasons, not only a list of ideas.

  • State a clear position and keep it consistent.
  • Develop reasons with explanation and specific examples.
  • Connect ideas logically and use an appropriate written style.
« À mon avis, cette mesure pourrait améliorer la qualité de vie en ville. Tout d’abord, elle réduirait la circulation, ce qui permettrait de diminuer le bruit et la pollution. » Original TEF-style example created for practice; not an official exam question.

Quick Writing Diagnosis

What Is Your Main Expression écrite Problem?

Choose the statement that best describes your current situation. You will get one focused next step rather than a generic study list.

Select your biggest difficulty

Choose one answer. You can change it at any time.

Practical Strategy

A Clear Plan for Each Section

These are planning frameworks, not memorized answer templates. Adapt the language to the task and keep every sentence connected to your message.

Section A: Continue the story logically

Your reader should feel that your continuation belongs to the same article.

  1. 1Situation: reconnect to the final detail in the prompt.
  2. 2Development: add what happened next in a clear sequence.
  3. 3Reaction: show what the people, witnesses, or authorities did.
  4. 4Outcome: finish with a result, consequence, or ongoing investigation.

Useful French language

Quelques instants plus tard… Selon les témoins… Lorsque les secours sont arrivés… Une enquête a été ouverte…

Section B: Develop a convincing viewpoint

A strong answer explains why your position makes sense and shows its effect.

  1. 1Position: answer the issue clearly and directly.
  2. 2Reason: give one distinct reason for your position.
  3. 3Example: make the reason concrete with a realistic case.
  4. 4Result: explain the consequence and link it back to your position.

Useful French language

À mon avis… Tout d’abord… Prenons l’exemple de… Cela permettrait de… Certes…, cependant…

Common Weaknesses

Three Mistakes That Make an Answer Feel Weak

The stronger versions are not difficult because they use rare words. They are stronger because the message is more precise and developed.

Section A loses continuityThe response starts a different story instead of continuing the prompt.

Weak Hier, il y avait un autre accident dans une autre ville.
More connected Peu après l’accident, plusieurs témoins ont appelé les secours, qui sont arrivés en quelques minutes.

Section B states but does not developAn opinion needs a reason, explanation, and useful detail.

Weak Je suis d’accord, car c’est une bonne idée pour tout le monde.
More developed Je suis favorable à cette mesure, car elle rendrait les transports plus accessibles. Par exemple, les étudiants pourraient se déplacer sans dépendre d’une voiture.

Connectors replace real logicAdding “de plus” does not fix a sentence that repeats the same point.

Weak C’est utile. De plus, c’est très utile pour les gens.
More precise Cette solution serait utile, notamment pour les personnes âgées qui ont du mal à accéder aux services en ligne.

Complete Worked Examples

See How a Strong Response Is Built

Read the task first, then follow the numbered underlines in the model. The notes explain the purpose of each strong part in simple English, so you can transfer the method to a different topic.

Section A · Complete model

Continue the Same News Story

Model: 112 words
Original practice task

Samedi matin, les habitants d’un immeuble du centre-ville ont découvert un chien seul sur le toit. L’animal, visiblement effrayé, refusait de bouger. Alertés par les aboiements, plusieurs voisins ont appelé les secours…

Continuez cet article. Écrivez au moins 80 mots.

Model response Read the numbered underlines, then check the analysis.

Quelques minutes plus tard, une équipe de pompiers est arrivée sur place.1 Pendant que deux agents sécurisaient la rue, un troisième est monté au dernier étage afin d’atteindre le toit.2 Selon une voisine, le chien s’était échappé d’un appartement dont la fenêtre était restée ouverte.3 Après plusieurs tentatives, le pompier a réussi à s’approcher de l’animal en lui offrant de la nourriture.4 Le chien s’est finalement laissé porter et a été rendu à sa propriétaire, très soulagée. Personne n’a été blessé pendant l’intervention. La propriétaire a remercié les secours et a promis de mieux sécuriser ses fenêtres. L’incident, qui a duré près d’une heure, a attiré de nombreux curieux dans la rue.5

Why the underlined parts work

1 Direct continuation The response connects immediately to the rescue call in the prompt.
2 Clear action sequence Two actions happen logically and the reader can follow the scene.
3 Believable background A witness adds a useful detail without changing the original story.
4 Specific development The rescue is shown through an action, not summarized vaguely.
5 Article-style ending The final consequence closes the event in a natural news tone.

This is original TEF-style practice created by Ross French Academy for educational use. It is not an official TEF Canada question, answer, or past exam paper.

Section B · Complete model

Build and Defend a Clear Position

Model: 267 words
Original practice task

Vous avez lu dans un journal l’affirmation suivante : « Les transports publics devraient être gratuits dans toutes les grandes villes. »

Écrivez au journal pour donner votre point de vue et le justifier à l’aide d’arguments et d’exemples précis. Écrivez au moins 200 mots.

Model response Notice the position, development, example, and concession.

Madame, Monsieur,

Je vous écris à la suite de votre article consacré à la gratuité des transports publics. À mon avis, cette mesure serait bénéfique dans les grandes villes, à condition qu’elle soit accompagnée d’un financement durable et d’une amélioration du service.1

Tout d’abord, la gratuité encouragerait de nombreux automobilistes à laisser leur voiture à la maison.2 Le prix du billet constitue encore un frein pour certaines familles, surtout lorsqu’elles doivent effectuer plusieurs déplacements par jour. Si le bus et le métro devenaient gratuits, davantage de personnes les utiliseraient, ce qui pourrait réduire les embouteillages, le bruit et la pollution. Prenons l’exemple d’une famille de quatre personnes qui se déplace chaque jour pour le travail et l’école : cette mesure lui permettrait d’économiser une somme importante tout en choisissant un moyen de transport moins polluant.3

Ensuite, cette mesure favoriserait l’égalité. Les étudiants, les personnes âgées et les travailleurs à faible revenu pourraient se rendre plus facilement à l’école, à un rendez-vous médical ou à un entretien d’embauche. La mobilité ne serait donc plus limitée par les ressources financières.4

Certes, la gratuité aurait un coût important pour les municipalités. Cependant, ce problème ne justifie pas l’abandon du projet.5 Les villes pourraient combiner une contribution des entreprises, une taxe sur le stationnement au centre-ville et des investissements publics. Il faudrait également augmenter la fréquence des véhicules afin d’éviter la saturation du réseau.

En conclusion, je suis favorable à la gratuité des transports publics, car ses bénéfices sociaux et environnementaux sont considérables. Toutefois, sa réussite dépend d’un financement clair et d’un service suffisamment fiable pour accueillir de nouveaux usagers.6

Cordialement,
Nom

Why the underlined parts work

1 Clear, qualified position The writer answers the issue directly and adds a realistic condition.
2 One distinct reason The paragraph begins with a clear claim instead of a vague opinion.
3 Concrete example A realistic family makes the financial and environmental effect clear.
4 Reason linked to result The paragraph explains why better access creates greater equality.
5 Concession with response The writer recognizes a real objection, then answers it calmly.
6 Consistent conclusion The final position matches the introduction and repeats its condition.

This is original TEF-style practice created by Ross French Academy for educational use. It is not an official TEF Canada question, answer, or past exam paper. Use the structure as a method; do not memorize the response.

60-Minute Plan

Plan, Write, and Check Both Tasks

Use separate time limits in practice. Adjust the exact split slightly only after timed practice shows what works for you.

3 minSection A: read and plan
18 minSection A: write
4 minSection A: check
5 minSection B: choose position and plan
25 minSection B: write
5 minSection B: check

Choose Your Next Step

Study the Structure or Get Your Own Writing Diagnosed

Choose based on your current problem. If the format still feels unclear, learn it step by step. If you already write complete tasks, personalized correction is more useful than more general advice.

For structure and guided practice

Expression écrite Preparation Course

A self-paced path for candidates who need to understand the two sections, organize answers, improve language control, and practise with focused resources.

  • Section A and B video lessons
  • Strategy guides, planning worksheets, and model answers
  • French examples with clear English support
  • Timing, grammar, vocabulary, and self-review practice
View the Writing Course

The correction service is educational preparation. It does not issue an official TEF Canada score, certificate, or immigration result.

Frequently Asked Questions

TEF Canada Expression écrite FAQ

How long is the TEF Canada Expression écrite test?

The test lasts 60 minutes in total: 25 minutes for Section A and 35 minutes for Section B.

What is the minimum word count for Sections A and B?

Section A requires at least 80 words. Section B requires at least 200 words. Reaching the minimum does not by itself guarantee a strong response; task completion, development, organization, and language control still matter.

What do I write in Section A?

You write the continuation of an article. Your continuation should remain consistent with the people, event, place, tone, and details already provided.

What do I write in Section B?

You express and justify a point of view. A clear position should be supported with developed reasons, explanation, and relevant examples.

Should I memorize a full template?

A planning framework and useful phrases can help, but a memorized answer may not match the task. Practise adapting your structure and language to the exact topic.

How can I find the mistakes I repeat?

Keep an error log, correct and rewrite the same task, and compare your repeated patterns. If you already write complete timed tasks but cannot diagnose your own weaknesses, personalized correction is the logical next step.

Is this an official TEF Canada page or exam paper?

No. Ross French Academy is an independent preparation provider. The strategies and French examples on this page are original TEF-style educational material, not official questions or past exam papers.

Do Not Practise the Same Weakness Repeatedly

First identify whether your main issue is format, idea development, language accuracy, timing, or a lack of personalized feedback. Then choose the next step that solves that exact problem.

Check My Writing Weakness See All TEF Preparation Options

Exam format checked against Le français des affaires — official TEF Canada presentation on July 23, 2026. Always verify current official requirements before your test.

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