What is the DELF?
The DELF (Diplôme d’études en langue française) is an official international diploma awarded by the French Ministry of Education indicating the CEFR level of proficiency of candidates for whom French is a second language. It is based on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), which defines language proficiency along six global levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2.
At each CEFR level, proficiency is measured across four competencies: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The diplomas are valid for life.
Students in Chinook's Edge School Division write the DELF tests following this schedule:
Grade 8- A2 level
Grade 10- B1 level
Grade 12- B2 level
Structure of the exam
EACH DIPLOMA EVALUATES 4 COMPETENCIES :
1. LISTENING COMPREHENSION (CO - COMPRÉHENSION ORALE)
The listening comprehension test assesses the candidate’s ability to understand and process a spoken message.
In this test, the candidate listens to public announcements, radio broadcasts, conversations, etc. The format of the audio varies according to the CEFR level.
2. READING COMPREHENSION (CÉ - COMPRÉHENSION ÉCRITE)
The reading comprehension test assesses the candidate's ability to understand and process written text. The lengths of the texts vary according to the CEFR level. The types of texts may include emails, magazines or newspaper articles, letters or postcards.
3. WRITTEN PRODUCTION (PÉ - PRODUCTION ÉCRITE)
The written production test assesses the candidate’s ability to write a text in French. The activities of this test vary according to the CEFR level. The candidate may be asked to write an article, a letter or a summary.
In this test, written interaction skills are also assessed. Activities may ask the candidate to complete a form, write an email message to reply to someone or develop a text to be published on a forum.
4. ORAL PRODUCTION (PO - PRODUCTION ORALE)
The oral production test assesses the candidate’s ability to speak in French. Activities may include monologues or presentations. The length of time candidates are required to speak varies according to the CEFR level of the test.
In this test, oral interaction is also evaluated. This can take various forms depending on the level: routine exchanges, role-playing, debates, etc.
What does the exam look like?
During the listening comprehension, reading and written production portions of the test, candidates collectively complete the test in the same room.
For the oral production portion of the test, candidates present alone in front of two examiners.
Each competency is out of 25 points. ( 4 x 25 = out of 100)
To obtain the diploma, the candidate must have at least 50 points out of 100.
The candidate must have at least 5 points out of 25 per test.
A score below 5 points out of 25 in any test results in an unsuccessful attempt.
Exams are written at a testing center in Red Deer with the help from examiners from Red Deer Public School District, Red Deer Catholic Regional schools and Chinook's Edge School Division.
What are the benefits of the diploma?
The DELF examinations are an opportunity for students to demonstrate their French-language skills. The DELF represents international recognition of your child’s French-language skills in a way that supports future learning, careers and other life aspirations.
A DELF diploma:
offers an international recognition of French proficiency, acknowledged in 173 countries.
is a life-long certification.
enriches the candidate’s educational or professional portfolio
is accepted internationally by francophone postsecondary institutions, including some in Canada.
A level of B2 is required for some out of province university French programs (Université du Quebec a Montreal; Faculté Saint Jean – Université de l’Alberta)