If you speak French, the Public Service Commission encourages you to have a language assessment. Building our bilingual workforce means more opportunities for the public to receive French-language services. For you, it will lead to more opportunities to use and grow your language skills and could make you eligible for a designated bilingual position.
What is a French language assessment?
It’s an informal, confidential 20-minute conversation (in person or via Teams) with an evaluator. You'll be evaluated on your French communication skills in both professional and social contexts. This includes describing things, expressing opinions, persuading others, and demonstrating both fluency and accuracy. Descriptions of the French Oral Proficiency Levels are available here and sample questions you could be asked during the assessment are available here.
Who are we looking for?
- Employees who participated in a French Immersion program (early or late) or in a French post-secondary program
- Employees who speak some French but are unsure whether their skills qualify as bilingual
- Employees who would like an initial assessment before participating in the PSC's French Language Training Program
- Employees who are fluent in French
- Francophone employees
Why should you get assessed?
You will become eligible to apply for designated bilingual positions in your area. If you are rated at Advanced+ or Superior levels, you will not need to be re-assessed in the future. You will also be added to your department's Bilingual Employee Network and have more opportunities to practice French.
Will this mean more work for you?
No. You will not be required to take on additional tasks or translate any documents, which all go to Translation Services. Instead, you'll simply be encouraged to offer French-language services to the public. Only employees in designated bilingual positions are required to have knowledge and use the English and French language to perform their duties.
Who do I contact for an assessment?
Email frenchlanguagetraining@gov.pe.ca to schedule a time.
Tips for the French Language Proficiency Assessment:
Before the assessment
- To get ready, warm up by thinking or speaking in French.
- Review practice questions.
- Find a quiet place to do the assessment.
- Arrive early to relax and review possible topics about yourself.
During the assessment
- Keep the conversation going. Avoid yes/no answers; expand with details and examples.
- Speak at a comfortable pace. Pauses are fine — they show you’re thinking.
- Use opportunities to demonstrate grammar and vocabulary knowledge.
- Don’t worry about small mistakes — focus on communicating clearly.
If you feel unsure or stuck
- If unsure of a question, ask for the question to be repeated.
- Correct mistakes and move on.
- If nervous or distracted, take a brief pause and refocus.
- If you lose your train of thought, pause and restart.
- If you can't remember a word, try rephrasing it instead of using English.