TCF & TEF – Main Themes (B1 level)
Dear students,
This is very important for your success in the exam.
The TCF / TEF exam is based on:
– real-life situations
– common social topics
It is NOT academic or theoretical
1. La vie quotidienne (daily life)
Topics:
- your routine
- your hobbies
- your family
- your free time
You may be asked:
- Describe your day
- Talk about your habits
2. L’éducation (education)
Topics:
- school
- studies
- online learning
- exams
Questions:
- L’école est-elle importante ?
- Préférez-vous étudier seul ou en groupe ?
3. Le travail (work)
Topics:
- jobs
- salary
- telework
- career
Questions:
- Le travail est-il important ?
- Le télétravail est-il efficace ?
4. Technologie & internet
Topics:
- social media
- smartphones
- communication
Questions:
- Les réseaux sociaux sont-ils utiles ?
- Internet est-il dangereux ?
5. L’environnement
Topics:
- pollution
- climate change
- recycling
Questions:
- Comment protéger l’environnement ?
6. La société
Topics:
- lifestyle
- culture
- rules
- city vs countryside
Questions:
- Ville ou campagne ?
7. La santé
Topics:
- food
- sport
- lifestyle
Questions:
- Le sport est-il important ?
8. Les voyages
Topics:
- tourism
- transport
- experiences
Questions:
- Racontez un voyage
9. Services & situations réelles
Topics:
- hotel
- restaurant
- complaints
- requests
Tasks:
- Write an email
- Do a role play
10. Opinion & argumentation (very important)
Topics:
- agree / disagree
- advantages / disadvantages
Questions:
- Êtes-vous d’accord avec… ?
- Quels sont les avantages… ?
Most important themes (focus frist)
Focus especially on:
- Education
- Work
- Technology
- Environment
- Society
What the exam really tests
The exam is NOT testing your knowledge
It is testing your ability to:
- express your opinion
- justify your ideas
- give examples
- organize your answer
Universal answer strategy (use this always)
For EVERY topic:
Opinion → Reason → Example → Conclusion
Example:
À mon avis, le sport est important,
parce qu’il améliore la santé.
Par exemple, il réduit le stress.
Donc, il faut faire du sport régulièrement.
Essential expressions You must use
Opinion:
- Je pense que…
- À mon avis…
Connectors:
- parce que
- donc
- mais
- cependant
Strategy (very important)
You do NOT need to know everything
You need to know how to answer any question
If you:
- use structure
- use connectors
- give clear ideas
You can succeed in ANY topic
The exam is testing:
- your ideas
- your organization
- your communication
NOT your intelligence