D.E.L.F and D.A.L.F
What are D.E.L.F. and D.A.L.F.?
D.E.L.F. in detail
D.A.L.F. in detail
Unit descriptions
D.E.L.F
D.A.L.F.
What are D.E.L.F. and D.A.L.F.?
D.E.L.F. (Diplôme d'Etudes de Langue Française) and D.A.L.F. (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française) are the only diplomas in French as a foreign language. D.E.L.F. includes 2 stages, each with its own award, and leads to D.A.L.F.
They are delivered by the French Ministry of Education. As such they are recognised everywhere in the world.
These diplomas are designed for foreign students who wish to acquire the required levels (D.E.L.F. or D.A.L.F.) in their own time and own place of residence.
It is generally considered that preparing one unit requires one hundred hours of learning (i.e.) DELF + DALF= 1000 hours minimum.
Within each diploma, all units can be taken independently of others. There are no time limits and the exams can be undertaken at any officially recognised DELF or DALF examination centre. Whenever and wherever the tests for each unit are taken, a successfull result counts as a credit toward the diploma ("credit units").
DELF and DALF exams can be undertaken in over 120 countries and are a reference around the world.
The world coordination centre for the DELF and the DALF is located at the Centre International d'Etudes Pédagogiques in Sèvres, France.
D.E.L.F. (Diplôme d'Etudes de Langue Française)
The D.E.L.F. comprises two stages, each with its own certificate:
- D.E.L.F. Level 1 is composed of four credit units (A1, A2,A3 and A4) and covers the acquisition of basic skills in French. It testifies that the holder can communicate in French in any everyday situation.
- DELF Level 2 is composed of two credit units (A5 and A6) and represents a development of those skills. It also includes a general knowledge of French civilisation and an introduction to specialised French in a field chosen by the candidate. Candidates must pass DELF level 1 before they can sit for DELF level 2. Candidates with a very advanced level of French may choose to take a "test d'accès direct" to DELF Level 2.
D.E.L.F. Stage 1.
Units A1, A2, A3, A4
- Unit A1 : General Expression
For: All students after 120 and 150 hours of study of French;
Alliance Française de Sydney Level 4 students;
High School from Year 11 onwards and University Year 1 beginners onwards - 2 oral tests
brief talk/conversation on everyday life by the candidate in the presence of the examiner
one group oral test on everyday life situations (listening comprehension) - 1 written test
writing an informal letter about recent events and including an invitation (100 words)
- Unit A2 : Expressing ideas and feelings
For: All students after at least 150 to 200 hours of study of French;
Alliance Française de Sydney Level 6 students;
High School from Year 12 onwards and University Year 2 beginners onwards - 1 oral test
expressing and defending to the examiner one's position on a simple document - 2 written tests
identifying opinions, positions, feelings in a simple document
expression of opinions about, and reactions to this document
- Unit A3 : Reading and Writing
For : All students after at least 250 hours of study of French - 1 oral test
analysis of the contents of a simple document - 2 written tests
analysis of the contents of a given text
writing a formal letter asking for further information on a given topic from everyday life
- Unit A4: Grammar and syntax
For: All students after about 300 hours of study of French - 1 written test
written comprehension and expression - 1 group oral test (listening comprehension)
phonetics, rhythm, intonation and structure of the language
answering questions on three short situations
answering questions relating to an authentic document
D.E.L.F. Stage 2
Units A5 and A6
Proficiency examination for students wishing to commence at DELF level 2
- Unit A5: French civilisation and Francophonie
For: All students after about 500 hours of French - 1 written test
a) comprehension questionnaire on a newspaper article
b) short essay on a subject related to the above article
- Unit A6: Expression in a particular field of studies (sciences sociales or sciences de la vie)
For: For all advanced students - 1 oral test on newspaper article
Presenting and discussing the contents of a written document, synthesizing and reformulating its content
D.A.L.F. (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française)
The D.A.L.F. testifies to your advanced level of specialised French (trade, law, administration, sciences) and adds credibility to your résumé.
- The D.A.L.F, which consists of four credit units (B1,B2,B3 and B4 represents a further development of language competency, with a view to university study. Candidates must already hold the D.E.L.F. (or have passed the "test d'accès direct au D.A.L.F.") to sit the D.A.L.F. examination.
- Students holding the D.A.L.F. will be able to enrol in a course at a French university in their specialised subject. In other words, the D.A.L.F. award allows direct entry to a French university with no requirement for any further language entrance test.
DALF - 4 credit units: B1, B2, B3, B4
For all advanced students who passed D.E.L.F. STAGE 1 and STAGE 2 or passed the control access to D.A.L.F. D.A.L.F. enables you to enter any French university without any other entrance examination.
Level: Over 600 hours of learning french
Proficiency examination for students wishing to commence at DALF level
- Unit B1 : Comprehension and Expression - General French
- Written Test
a 200 word summary of a 700 word press article and
short answers in the student's own words to five written questions on the document
- Unit B2 : Listening Comprehension
- Group Oral Test
answering questions in writing after listening twice to a three-minute audio or video-tape
- Unit B3 : Comprehension and Expression in a Particular Filed of Studies (Sciences Sociales or Sciences de la Vie)
- Written Test
summary and synthesis of text (500 to 700 word) and
short answers to five questions