In Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire or Dolisie, people speak French every day, often blended with Lingala or Kituba. Congolese French is expressive and works perfectly well between Congolese speakers. For the TCF Canada, though, you need to be able to set it aside and produce standard French that any examiner will understand.
This guide covers two things TCF Canada Formation offers candidates in Congo-Brazzaville: paying with Mobile Money, and an AI assistant that understands your French. It then gives practical advice for the four tests. To try the platform before paying, take a free reading test with an account.
Pay with Airtel Money or MTN Mobile Money
You do not need an international bank card. In Congo-Brazzaville, two services are accepted: Airtel Money and MTN Mobile Money. The amount is shown in FCFA when you pay.
- On the pricing page, pick your plan, then select “Pay with Mobile Money”.
- Check the country shown, select your operator, then enter the phone number linked to your Airtel Money or MTN Mobile Money account.
- Confirm the payment on your phone, as with any Mobile Money transaction.
Your access is activated as soon as the payment is confirmed. Check your balance before you start. If you have a bank card, card payment is still available on the same page.
An assistant that understands Congolese French
When a language is alive all around you, its words find their way into your French. A “mbote” to say hello, a “matondo” to say thanks: these are reflexes, not mistakes. The challenge in the exam is to catch them before the examiner does.
The platform’s AI assistant understands Congolese French and expressions influenced by Lingala and Kituba. Write a sentence the way it naturally comes to you. The assistant uses it as a starting point to show you the standard French version and explain what changes, word by word if needed.
It is not a shortcut, though. The assistant helps you understand the gap, but regular practice is what closes it. It is available to active subscribers and uses the credits included in your plan. In the exam, your standard French is what gets assessed.
Expressions to replace in your answers
Here are common examples, with the equivalent to use in the exam:
- “Mbote” becomes “Bonjour” (hello).
- “Matondo” becomes “Merci” (thank you).
- “C’est mon ndeko” becomes “C’est mon frère” or “C’est mon ami” (he’s my brother / my friend).
- “Je n’ai pas les mbongo” becomes “Je n’ai pas d’argent” (I don’t have any money).
- “Il m’a cadeauté un livre” becomes “Il m’a offert un livre” (he gave me a book as a present).
- “C’est un grand ambianceur” becomes “Il sait mettre de l’ambiance” or “Il anime très bien les fêtes” (he’s great at livening up a party).
The verb “cadeauter” deserves special attention. It looks French and is understood in many African countries, but it is not standard French. Words like this slip past proofreading precisely because they have a French shape.
You can talk about Congolese culture, and doing so can make your answers richer. Just explain what you are referring to: “La sape, c’est-à-dire l’art de s’habiller avec une grande élégance, est très présente à Brazzaville.” Your answer becomes precise and clear to anyone.
Preparing for each test
Listening. You listen to a variety of recordings and answer multiple-choice questions. Expose yourself daily to standard French spoken at a natural pace, such as radio news bulletins, to get used to accents that differ from yours.
Reading. The texts increase in difficulty. Read the question first, find the relevant passage, then rule out options that do not match the text exactly.
Writing. Three tasks, from a short message to an argued text. Sketch a simple plan before you write, then proofread specifically for Lingala, Kituba or Congolese French words.
Speaking. This is a face-to-face exchange with an examiner, in three tasks. Greetings and thanks are the first words you will say, so practise “Bonjour” and “Merci” until they come automatically, without “mbote” or “matondo”.
A method for each week
- Do two listening or reading exercises and note why you missed each question.
- Write a short text, underline any words from Lingala or Kituba, then rewrite it.
- Record yourself for two minutes on an everyday topic and listen back.
- Give the assistant a sentence you are hesitating over.
If you want to add resources that do not require a subscription, see our free preparation plan for candidates in Africa. For vocabulary, our guide to vocabulary by theme offers examples you can reuse.
Official steps
You register for the exam with an approved test centre. Fees, session dates and required documents are published by that centre and by France Éducation international, so check them there directly.
Getting started
Take a free reading test or listening test, with an account. Then choose your plan and pay with Airtel Money or MTN Mobile Money.