There are several French exams that certify your level of mastery of the French language. These diplomas can be a validation of your expertise and a real advantage professionally. At the Alliance, you can take the DELF and DALF exams.

1 – The DELF exam (Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française) is an official diploma, given by the French Ministry of Education. It evaluates and certifies the French language skills of foreign applicants and French citizens from non-French speaking countries. The DELF is made up of four diplomas, independant of each other (meaning that you could take level B1 even if you have not taken level A1 or A2) :

• A1/ A2 corresponds to a basic level
• B1/ B2 corresponds to an intermediate level

At each level, the four language skills are evaluated (speaking, listening, reading, writing). Here is a short summary of what can be expected at each level :

• DELF A1 is the first level. You are capable of simple interactions. At this level, you must be able to introduce yourself and ask and answer questions about personal details such as where you live, people you know, and things you have.
  Duration of evaluation: 1h20
  

   

• DELF A2 is also a basic level. In addition to the skills of A1, you are able to perform simple tasks of daily life.
  Duration of evaluation: 1h40
  

   

• DELF B1 is an intermediate level. You are considered an independant user capable of managing familiar situations encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. You can deal with most situations that may arise while traveling in a French speaking country. You can describe experiences, events, dreams, hopes, and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
  Duration of evaluation : 1h45
  

   

• DELF B2 is a higher degree of independence. You can understand the main ideas of a complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in your field of specialisation. You can converse with native speakers with a degree of fluency and spontaneity. You can explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
  Obtaining a DELF B2 level certification serves as the French level test for admission to a French university.
  Duration of evaluation : 2h30

2 – The DALF (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française) consists of two independant diplomas, C1 and C2, corresponding to an experienced usage of the French language.

• At the level DALF C1, the user can express themselves fluently with ease and spontaneity. Their vocabulary range is wide, the speech is clear and well-structured.
  Duration of evaluation: 4h
  
  
• For the DALF C2, the candidate demonstrates a precision, fluency and and ease in their manner of expression with the French language. They are able to use the French language for academic and advanced level purposes.
  Duration of evaluation : 3h30

These French exams are often requested for some school curriculum and it is important to remedy this by taking an exam preparation course or more specifically a DALF exam preparation course. You would truly benefit from a teacher that would explain to you the methodology that differs from what you have worked with in the lower levels of the French language. You will need an understanding of French logic and what is expected of you. Thus, you should not only study the French language, but really immerse yourself in a methodology that will be useful for all higher education, especially if you want to integrate into a school in France.

Whatever your level with the French language, it is better to follow an exam preparation course than to attempt to study for the French exams on your own because each exam has its special characteristics and methodologies that can be difficult to discover and understand alone.