DELF French Exam Skills

96 flashcards by MentisLibrary

The French diploma exam explained: the four tests and how they are scored, the eliminating threshold, what each speaking and writing task asks for at A1 to B2, and the grammar and register the assessment grids reward.

What does DELF stand for, and who issues it?
Diplôme d'études en langue française. It is an official diploma of the French Ministry of Education, with the exam network managed by France Éducation international.
What is the difference between DELF and DALF?
They are the same family of diplomas at different levels. DELF covers A1, A2, B1 and B2 of the Common European Framework; DALF covers C1 and C2.
Do DELF and DALF diplomas expire?
No. They are diplomas, not test scores, and they are valid for life. An institution may still ask for a recent result, but the diploma itself never lapses.
How is the TCF different from the DELF?
The TCF is a test that returns a score placing you on a level and is valid for a limited period. DELF is a pass or fail diploma at a single level, valid for life.
What four tests make up every DELF level?
Compréhension de l'oral, compréhension des écrits, production écrite and production orale. The four appear at every level from A1 to B2 and each is marked out of 25.
How is a DELF paper scored?
Out of 100, made up of four tests of 25 marks each. The four skills carry exactly equal weight.
What is the pass mark for a DELF diploma?
Fifty out of one hundred overall, together with a minimum of five out of twenty five in each of the four tests. Both conditions must be met.
What is a note éliminatoire?
A mark below five out of twenty five in any one test. It fails the whole diploma however strong the other three tests are.
How is a DELF session organised on the day?
The three collective tests, listening, reading and writing, are taken in one continuous session. The individual oral is scheduled separately, often on another day.
Which version of the DELF suits which candidate?
DELF Prim for primary school children, DELF junior et scolaire for adolescents, DELF tout public for adults, and DELF Pro for a working context. The level and the diploma are the same; only the topics differ.
Are the DELF junior and DELF tout public diplomas different?
No. They lead to the same diploma at the same level. The difference is only in the themes of the documents and tasks, which are chosen to suit the age of the candidate.
Can you use a dictionary during the DELF?
No. No dictionary, no phone and no notes are allowed in the exam room. Only the paper, the answer sheet and a pen are permitted.
How many times are listening documents played?
Generally twice at A1, A2 and B1. At B2 some documents are heard only once. The number of listenings is announced on the recording and printed on the paper.
What is the level of French required for French naturalisation?
A level of French is required, and the level is set by regulation rather than by the exam board. It has been raised over time, so the current requirement must be checked with the prefecture or the official service before booking.
What assessment grids do DELF examiners use?
Published grilles d'évaluation, one for production écrite and one for production orale at each level. They list the criteria and the marks available for each, such as respecting the instructions, coherence, lexis and grammatical accuracy.
How much time does the collective written session take?
It grows with the level, from a little over an hour at A1 to around two and a half hours at B2. The exact timing for each test is printed on the paper and set by the official specification.
How much preparation time is given for the oral?
Ten minutes at A1, A2 and B1, and thirty minutes at B2. At B1 the preparation applies only to the third part, the expression of a point of view.
What happens in the A1 oral?
Three parts: a guided interview with simple questions about you, an exchange of information built from keyword cards, and a simulated dialogue such as buying something in a shop.
What happens in the A2 oral?
Three parts: a guided interview, a short monologue about a familiar topic, and an interaction in an everyday situation played with the examiner.
What happens in the B1 oral?
Three parts: a guided interview, an interaction in a situation drawn at random, and the expression of a point of view based on a short trigger document, which is the part you prepare.
What happens in the B2 oral?
You are given a short trigger text, prepare for thirty minutes, then present a structured point of view and defend it in a debate with the examiner.
What does the examiner reward most in the B2 debate?
The ability to defend and adjust a position: conceding a point, then answering it. A candidate who repeats their prepared arguments without engaging loses marks for interaction.
How should the guided interview be handled at any level?
Answer in full sentences and add one detail beyond the question. A one word answer gives the examiner nothing to assess and shortens your own speaking time.
What is the risk of learning the oral by heart?
Examiners recognise recitation, and a memorised answer usually fails to fit the question drawn on the day. It also collapses as soon as the examiner asks a follow up.
How do you buy thinking time in the oral without silence?
With short French fillers that sound natural: alors, eh bien, c'est une bonne question, disons que, en fait, comment dire.
What does the A1 production écrite ask for?
Two short tasks: completing a form or a fiche with personal details, and writing simple sentences such as a postcard, a note or a short message.
What does the A2 production écrite ask for?
Two short productions: describing an event or a personal experience, and writing to invite, thank, apologise, congratulate, inform or ask for information.
What does the B1 production écrite ask for?
A single text of around one hundred and sixty words expressing a personal position: an essay, a letter or an article, in which you give an opinion and support it.
What does the B2 production écrite ask for?
An argued personal position of around two hundred and fifty words, taking the form of a formal letter, a contribution to a debate or a critical article.
How is a French formal letter opened and closed?
Opened with Madame, Monsieur, when the reader is not named, or Madame la Directrice when they are. Closed with a formula such as Je vous prie d'agréer, Madame, Monsieur, l'expression de mes salutations distinguées.