DELF France French Exam
The DELF – Diplôme d’Etudes en Langue Française
DELF is the official certification awarded by the French Ministry of Education to certify proficiency in the French language of non-native speakers of French. The certificates are internationally recognized and often used by foreign ministries of education (Ministry of Human Resource Development in India) to assess French linguistic skills.
DELF French Test is composed of 4 Modules:
- Reading comprehension
- Listening comprehension
- Writing expression
- Oral expression
Benefits
The DELF is one of the most useful diplomas to have, particularly when applying to French language-related jobs or for French university degrees. Most undergraduate and graduate programs require a B2 diploma, though some undergraduate programs accept B1.
French B1 and B2 are also the levels that most French companies require if your job role requires the use of a moderate amount of french.
DELF Exams include below different levels of certification under?
- DELF A1: Breakthrough or beginner
- DELF A2: Waystage or elementary
- DELF B1: Threshold or intermediate
- DELF B2: Vantage or upper intermediate
Five exams are proposed to the French-speaking people:
- Diplôme d’études en langue française, DELF (for all age groups)
- Diplôme approfondi en langue française, DALF (for all age groups)
- Diplôme d’études en langue française for teenagers, DELF JUNIOR
- Diplôme d’études en langue française for children (aged 8 to 12), DELF PRIM
- Diplôme d’études en langue française for professionals, DELF PRO
Description of DELF A1 examination Format / Pattern
| Type of tests: DELF A1 | Duration | Mark out of |
| Listening Comprehension questionnaires dealing with three or four very short recordings about everyday life (played twice). The maximum duration of recordings: 3 mins | Approximately 20 minutes | / 25 |
| Reading Comprehension questionnaires dealing with four or five written documents about everyday life. | 30 minutes | / 25 |
| Writing Two parts test: -filling in a record, a form -writing simple phrases (postcards, messages, stories, etc) on everyday topics. | 30 minutes | / 25 |
| Speaking Three parts test: – a guided conversation (Approximately 1 minute) – exchanging information (Approximately 2 minutes) – role-play (Approximately 2 minutes). | 5 to 7 minutes preparation: 10 minutes | / 25 |
| The total length of group tests: 1 hour 20 minutes * Total mark out of 100 * Overall pass mark of the DELF A1: 50 / 100 * Minimum mark required per test: 5 / 25 | ||
Description of DELF A2 examination Format / Pattern
| Type of tests: DELF A2 | Duration | Mark out of |
| Listening Comprehension questionnaires dealing with several short recordings about everyday life (played twice). The maximum duration of recordings: 5 mins | Approximately 25 minutes | / 25 |
| Reading Comprehension questionnaires dealing with several written documents about everyday life. | 30 minutes | / 25 |
| Writing Two short pieces of writing (letter to a friend or message): – describe an event or personal experiences – invite, thank, say sorry, ask for something, give information, congratulate in writing… | 45 minutes | / 25 |
| Speaking Three parts test: – a guided conversation (Approximately 1 minute 30) – followed monologue (Approximately 2 minutes) – interactive exercise (Approximately 3 to 4 minutes). | 6 to 8 minutes preparation: 10 minutes | / 25 |
| The total length of group tests: 1 hour 40 minutes * Total mark out of 100 * Overall pass mark of the DELF A2: 50 / 100 * Minimum mark required per test: 5 / 25 | ||
Description of DELF B1 examination Format / Pattern
| Type of tests: DELF B1 | Duration | Mark out of |
| Listening Comprehension questionnaires dealing with several recordings (played twice). The maximum duration of recordings: 6 mins | Approximately 25 minutes | / 25 |
| Reading Comprehension questionnaires dealing with several written documents: – extract useful information concerning a particular task – analyze the contents of a document of general interest. | 45 minutes | / 25 |
| Writing Express personal opinions on a general topic (essay, letter, article, etc). | 45 minutes | / 25 |
| Speaking Test in three parts: – a guided conversation (2 at 3 minutes) – interactive exercise (3 at 4 minutes) – expressing an opinion on a document designed to elicit a reaction (5 at 7 minutes). | 15 minutes maximum preparation: 10 minutes (only for the 3rd part) | / 25 |
| The total length of group tests: 1 hour 55 minutes * Total mark out of 100 * Overall pass mark of the DELF B1: 50 / 100 * Minimum mark required per test: 5 / 25 | ||
Description of DELF B2 examination Format/Pattern
| Type of tests: DELF B2 | Duration | Mark out of |
| Listening Comprehension questionnaires dealing with several recordings (played twice maximum). The maximum duration of all recordings: 15 minutes | Approximately | / 25 |
| Reading Comprehension questionnaires dealing with several written documents. | 1 hour | / 25 |
| Writing Taking a personal stand (contributing to a debate, formal letter, review of a film/book). | 1 hour | / 25 |
| Speaking Stating and defending an opinion based on a short document designed to explicit a reaction. | Approximately 20 minutes Preparation: 30 minutes | / 25 |
| The total length of group tests: 2 hours 30 minutes * Total mark out of 100 * Overall pass mark of the DELF B2: 50 / 100 * Minimum mark required per test: 5 / 25 | ||