DELF (Diplôme d’études en langue française) and DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française) are French language examinations comprising 6 diplomas.
These diplomas are issued by the French Ministry of Education and certify a candidate’s level of French.
Contents
DELF
DELF, or Diplôme d’études en langue française, is a system of diplomas assessing the French ability of those who do not speak French as a mother tongue. The examination is administered by the CIEP (Centre international d’études pédagogiques), a body under the French Ministry of Education. Worldwide, some 900 accredited centres issue this diploma across 154 countries, including France.
Considering a residency programme? The Prosperous Living Investment team assesses your profile free of charge and advises on the pathway that fits your goals.
DALF
DALF, or Diplôme approfondi de langue française, is a system of certificates assessing French ability at an advanced level among those who do not speak French as a mother tongue. This examination is also administered by the CIEP (Centre international d’études pédagogiques), under the French Ministry of Education.
This programme comprises 2 certificates corresponding to the two highest levels of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages): C1 and C2.
The differences
- DELF examinations are taken at 4 separate levels: A1 and A2 (elementary), B1 and B2 (intermediate).
- DALF examinations are taken at 2 separate levels: C1 and C2 (advanced).
Each examination is independent, meaning candidates may register for whichever level they choose. Each examination assesses French ability in listening, reading, writing and speaking, although only the listening and speaking sections are mandatory for Quebec immigration purposes.
The examinations
Nghe
| Level | Test | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Listen to recordings and answer questions about everyday life. | 20 minutes in total |
| A2 | Listen to recordings and answer questions about everyday life. | 25 minutes in total |
| B1 | Listen to recordings and answer questions about everyday life. | 25 minutes in total |
| B2 | Listen to recordings and answer questions on a range of topics. | 30 minutes in total |
| C1 | Listen to recordings and answer questions on a range of topics. | 40 minutes in total |
Speaking
| Level | Test | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | A three-part test comprising a guided conversation, an information exchange and a role play. | 5 to 7 minutes of conversation |
| A2 | A three-part test comprising a guided conversation, an information exchange and a role play. | 6 to 8 minutes of conversation |
| B1 | A three-part test comprising a guided conversation, an interactive exercise and expressing an opinion on a document. | 15 minutes of conversation |
| B2 | Present and defend an opinion based on a short document. | 20 minutes of conversation |
| C1 | A presentation based on a series of written documents, followed by a discussion with the examiners. | 30 minutes of conversation |
Listening/Speaking
| Level | Test | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| C2 | Comprising 3 parts: – Write up the content of a recording relating to the humanities or social/scientific research – Personal development of the issue raised in the recording – A debate with the examiners |
90 minutes in total |
Converting scores for the SWSP
A detailed article aboutQuebec Skilled Worker Selection Programme (SWSP).
| Diploma obtained | DELF A1 | DELF A2 | DELF B1 | DELF B2 | DALF C1 | DALF C2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language points for listening and speaking (Quebec Skilled Worker Program) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Language points for reading and writing (Quebec Skilled Worker Program) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Find out more about DELF athere.
Find out more about DALF athere.
Accompanying you on your journey in residency investment
The Prosperous Living Investment team advises on pathways, assesses profiles and manages investments transparently for every residency, citizenship and international property objective.
Free profile assessmentWhere life gets prosperous