Immigration24 February 2026 · 8 min read

Quebec French vs France French: What You Need to Know

If you are moving to Canada, you will encounter Québécois French. Here is how it differs from European French — and what it means for your TEF exam.

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Facile French Team

Shubham Deshwal & Dipali Sharma

French is French — mostly. But if you study European French and then land in Montreal, you may find yourself surprised by the accent, vocabulary, and even some grammar.

Accent and Pronunciation

Québécois French has a distinctive accent. The 't' before 'i' sounds like 'ts' (tu becomes 'tsu'), and 'd' before 'i' sounds like 'dz'. You will adjust quickly with exposure.

Does TEF Canada Test Quebec French?

TEF Canada is based on standard French — the same French used in France and taught internationally. However, some listening samples may include a light Canadian accent.

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