TCF Canada Expression Écrite: Tâche 1, 2 & 3 Explained
Expression écrite is the most trainable section of the TCF Canada — because every task has a fixed, predictable structure. Once you know exactly what each tâche asks for and the order to put it in, you stop staring at a blank page and start writing to a template. Here is the breakdown I give my students, with example openings for each task.
The three writing tasks at a glance
You have 60 minutes for all three. They get harder and more valuable as you go:
| Task | What you write | Words | Time guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tâche 1 | Short message to a friend / contact (email, note) | 60–120 | ~12 min |
| Tâche 2 | Article, letter, testimony or account for a public reader | 120–150 | ~18 min |
| Tâche 3 | Compare two opposing points of view, then give yours | 120–180 | ~25 min |
Tâche 1 — the short message
A private message to someone you know: invite them, tell them your news, ask for help, describe a plan. It tests whether you can communicate a clear message and give the information requested. Keep it simple — this is not where you show off complex grammar.
A structure that always works:
- Greeting + one-line reason for writing.
- The details the prompt asks for — who, what, when, where.
- Your request or feeling (what you want them to do / how you feel about it).
- Closing + a question to keep the exchange going.
Example opening:« Salut Camille ! Je t'écris parce que j'organise quelque chose le week-end prochain et j'aimerais beaucoup que tu viennes… »
Tâche 2 — the article or testimony
Now you write for a wider reader: an article for a blog or local paper, a testimony, an account of an experience. It tests your ability to describe, narrate and explain with more developed sentences. The trick is to anchor it in one concrete experience instead of writing vague generalities.
- Context — set the scene in one or two sentences.
- A specific story or example — a real-feeling moment, not abstractions.
- One positive + one nuance — what worked, what could be better.
- A recommendation or takeaway to close.
Example opening:« Depuis que ma ville a ouvert de nouvelles pistes cyclables, mes trajets ont complètement changé. La semaine dernière, par exemple… »
Tâche 3 — comparing two points of view
This is the high-value task. You're given two opposing opinions on a topic and you must present both fairly, then take your own position. Examiners reward balance, connectors, and a clear personal stance — not just agreeing with one side.
- Introduction — reframe the debate in one sentence.
- Point of view 1 — present it neutrally + one example.
- Point of view 2 — the opposing view + one example.
- Your position — nuanced, often with a condition (« à condition que… »).
Useful connectors:« Selon les uns… », « à l'inverse… », « il est indéniable que… », « à mon sens… ».
How expression écrite is scored
A trained examiner marks your writing out of 20, which converts to an NCLC level — NCLC 7 ≈ 10–11/20, the Express Entry minimum. They look at whether you completed the task (all required elements), coherence and connectors, range of vocabulary and structures, and accuracy. Crucially, completing the task matters as much as language quality: beautiful French that ignores the prompt still loses points.
The mistakes that cost the most points
- Missing a required element — reread the prompt and tick off every point it asks for.
- Word count — too short looks incomplete; way too long wastes time you need for Tâche 3.
- Wrong register — Tâche 1 is informal (tu), Tâche 2/3 are usually neutral or formal (vous).
- No examples in Tâche 2 & 3 — concrete examples are what lift a response above a flat answer.
Practise the tasks for free
You can train all three tasks on the Expression écrite section of the TCF Canada hub — including a writing simulator with AI feedback — and browse model sujets and corrections. When you want a human examiner to mark your writing against the real criteria, you can book a trial lesson.