Diplomas - DELF/DALF

Accredited as the official examination centre for DELF and DALF in South Australia, the Alliance Française d'Adelaïde holds examination sessions three times a year, in March, June and November. For more information, please contact us (see details above) or email us.

DELF and DALF are diplomas administered by the French Ministry of Education. Therefore, they are recognised everywhere in the world. They are to the French language what the Cambridge Certificate proficiency tests are to English.

The DELF and DALF are now offered in 154 countries and 900 exam centres in the world. 60 000 diplomas are delivered every year and there has been 2 500 000 registrations since it was created in 1985.

Since September 2005, on the occasion of their twentieth birthday, the structure of the exams has changed, adapting to a new European dimension. The diplomas are now harmonised with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages of the Council of Europe.

Developed through a process of scientific research and wide consultation, the Framework provides a practical tool for setting clear standards to be attained at successive stages of learning and for evaluating outcomes in an internationally comparable manner.

A new, lighter and simpler system has been put into place. It consists of 6 independent diplomas, each one corresponds to one of the 6 levels of the Common European Framework reference. The tests for each diploma evaluate the 4 following skills: oral comprehension and expression, written comprehension and expression. These diplomas can be sat for and obtained independently from each other, in the same country or in a different country and with no set timeframe.

Next session: From 5th to 15th of November 2008.

WHY SHOULD I TAKE THESE EXAMS?

It adds credibility and importance to your resume

These diplomas are recognised everywhere in the world and valued by French and European employers

Taking these exams is an opportunity to find out what your real level of French is and to get your French skills certified

HOW DO I KNOW WHICH LEVEL I CAN SIT FOR?

Candidates can sit for the exam(s) at any level without placement test. Besides, a self-assessment checklist can be obtained from the Alliance for candidates to review their overall proficiency in French.

DELF A1- Basic user - Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself as well as others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help. Students who have completed level 7 at the Alliance Française d’Adelaide may sit for the A1 exam.

DELF A2 - Basic user - Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need. Students who have completed level 10 at the Alliance Française d’Adelaide may sit for the A2 exam.

DELF B1 - Independent user - Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. Students who have completed level 16 at the Alliance Française d’Adelaide may sit for the B2 exam.

DELF B2 - Independent user - Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options. Candidates may sit for B2 exam after 400 to 700 hours of instruction.

DALF C1 - Proficient user - Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices. Candidates may sit for C1 exam after 600 to 900 hours of instruction.

DALF C2 - Proficient user - Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations. 1000 hours minimum of instruction are required to sit for C2 exam.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• WHO CAN TAKE DELF and DALF EXAMS? All non-native speakers of French seeking official certification for their knowledge of French language can sit for these exams.

• WILL I BE GIVEN A SCORE? Rather than a score, candidates work to obtain one of the 6 certificates. Once an exam is passed, the candidate never has to retake it. There is no score. The French speaker’s level is identified by the highest certificate he/she has obtained.

• HOW LONG IS THE DIPLOMA VALID? The diploma is valid indefinitely.

• WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE DIPLOMAS AND UNITS AWARDED PRIOR TO THE OVERHAUL? All diplomas obtained prior to the 1st September 2005 are valid.

• HOW CAN I PREPARE FOR THESE EXAMS? The Alliance Française offers each candidate a booklet to familiarise them with the structure and general content of the examination. It provides candidates with representative exercises and sample tests. It also gives an overview of the skills required for each level, so that candidates can better prepare themselves for the exams. In addition, once candidates are acquainted with this booklet, they are invited to take part in a 1-hour workshop to clear up any doubts.

• WHAT IS THE STRUCTURE OF THE EXAMINATION? The tests for each diploma evaluate the 4 following skills: oral comprehension and expression, written comprehension and expression. Total grade out of 100 - Minimum grade for obtaining the diploma: 50/100 - Required grade per examination: 5/25.

Total duration of the examination:

A1: collective examination: 1h20 / oral composition: 5 to 7 minutes (preparation 10 minutes)

A2: collective examination: 1h40 / oral composition: 6 to 8 minutes (preparation 10 minutes)

B1: collective examination: 1h45 / oral composition: 15 minutes (preparation 10 minutes)

B2: collective examination: 2h30 / oral composition: 20 minutes (preparation 30 minutes)

C1: collective examination: 4h / oral composition: 30 minutes (preparation 60 minutes)

C2: collective examination: 3h30 / oral composition: 30 minutes (preparation 60 minutes)

Next session: From 5th to 15th of November 2008.

For more details about the DELF and DALF exams, including descriptions of the tests in each level, access to practice tests, etc., log onto the official DELF/DALF website .