The DELF is is an official qualification awarded by the French Ministry of National Education to certify the competency of candidates from outside France in the French language. It is an internationally recognized diploma which evaluates proficiency in listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
WHO:
Grade 12 French students may register for this exam during the semester in which they are enrolled in any grade 12 French course (Core or Immersion).
WHEN and WHERE:
The DELF exam typically takes place in November and in April each year. The same dates and times are scheduled across Canada and if absent or unable to attend, students cannot make alternate arrangements.
The listening, reading, and writing portions of the exam take place in one session at A.Y. Jackson (B1 - 1 hour, 45 minutes; B2 - 2.5 hours). Upon registering for the DELF, students individually book their oral exams, which take place at two central locations - Confederation Education Centre (1645 Woodroffe Avenue) or Albert Street Education Centre (440 Albert Street).
Note - Students must complete all four parts of the exam. If a student misses either the in-school session or the individual interview, that student will be ineligible to receive DELF certification.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Students with documented special learning needs may be eligible for accommodations on the DELF exam. Any accommodations must be pre-approved through the OCDSB.
If you have an IEP (Individualized Learning Plan) and think that you may be eligible for accommodations, please speak with your grade 12 French teacher as soon as you register for the exam.
COST:
To date, the OCDSB has paid for this testing, so there is no cost to students.
Through the OCDSB, grade 12 French students can choose to take the DELF exam at one of three levels: A2 (lower level), B1, or B2 (higher level). At A.Y. Jackson, FSF 4U students typically register for level B1, and FIF 4U students register for level B1 or B2. Students can discuss this choice with their French teacher.
Note - It is important that students choose the exam level that is appropriate for them. If a student registers for a higher DELF level and is unsuccessful, that student will not then be awarded the diploma at a lower level.
DELF Levels: [from - France Éducation international]
A2 - This level recognises the linguistic competency of basic users, considered as social actors. Candidates can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring the most common polite phrases and exchanges of information.
B1 - At this level, users becomes independent. Candidates can maintain interaction, understand and maintain discussions, and give opinions. Candidates are capable of dealing with situations likely to arise in daily life.
B2 - At this level, users have a degree of independence that allows for the construction of arguments to defend opinions, explain viewpoints, and negotiate. Candidates have a degree of fluency and spontaneity in regular interactions and are capable of correcting their own mistakes.
Evaluation of DELF Exams:
Each of the four exam sections (listening, reading, writing, speaking) is worth 25 marks, for a total of 100 marks.
In order to achieve the level that they are challenging, students must earn a minimum of 5 marks in each section, and they must earn a minimum of 50 marks overall.
While the DELF exams are completed and evaluated within the OCDSB, results are sent to France for review, and diplomas are sent to successful candidates directly from the French Ministry of National Education. Sometimes this process takes a few months.
At A.Y. Jackson, preparation for this exam takes place in grade 12 French classes. If you have any further questions, please speak with one of the French teachers at school.
Other Useful Sites for More Information and Further Preparation: