As French gains global prominence, numerous learners seek official recognition of their proficiency in the French language. The French Ministry of National Education offers a structured certification for FLE (Français Langue Étrangère), or French as a Foreign Language, specifically the DELF and DALF. These exams, which serve as benchmarks for linguistic competency and are valid for life, provide a secure investment in your language learning journey. They are recognized widely by educational institutions, employers, and immigration services worldwide. Each diploma corresponds to one or more levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which ranges from A1 (beginner) to C2 (mastery).

Let’s explore these French proficiency exams in detail.

1. DILF (Le Diplôme Initial de Langue Française)

The Diplôme Initial de Langue Française, or DILF, is a French proficiency exam for complete beginners, i.e., the A1.1 CEFR French level. It is a basic exam with lifetime validity, serving as an excellent benchmark and prerequisite for the DELF and DALF exams. This exam is only offered in France and French territories.

The DILF exam assesses four key skills: listening comprehension, reading comprehension, verbal skills, and written skills. The exam is of 100 marks, and the test-taker must score 50/100 to pass.

The Diplôme d'Etudes en Langue Française, or DELF, is the most widely recognised diploma that evaluates and certifies the French language skills of foreign applicants and French citizens from non-French-speaking countries. The DELF includes an exam for each respective CEFR French level, ranging from A1 to B2. What's unique about the DELF is that it consists of four diplomas, each independent of the others, which means you can take level B1 even if you haven't completed level A1 or A2, providing you with the flexibility to tailor your learning journey to your needs. The DELF is an excellent diploma to pursue for adults seeking to advance their careers, work in a foreign country, or simply assess their French proficiency.

The DELF exam consists of four sections: listening comprehension, reading comprehension, written production, and oral production. Each section is marked out of 25, totalling 100. To pass the DELF exam, the test-taker must achieve a minimum of 5 points in each of the four individual sections and score at least 50 points overall out of 100. 

Below is an overview of the skills assessed at each DELF level, along with the exam duration.

There are four variants of the DELF Exam:

DELF Prim is designed for children who are beginners in French as a foreign language and are undertaking elementary-level studies in French. The tests are developed on the same model as the DELF tout public, but the subjects are adapted to the candidates' age. The DELF Prim is perfectly fit for children between 7 and 11 years old in primary school.

DELF Junior/Scolaire is a diploma issued by the French Ministry of Education in recognition of French language studies. The exams are tailored to the teenage lifestyle and align with the interests of teens enrolled in public or private schools. It caters to students between the ages of 12 and 18.

DELF Pro is a professional version of the DELF diploma. It specifically addresses those who wish to assimilate into an experienced French-speaking environment. It serves to evaluate the communication skills necessary for professional situations of everyday life.

DELF Tout Public is designed for the general public, including adults and older adolescents, as well as foreigners or French citizens who wish to improve their French language skills for personal or professional purposes.

The Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française, or DALF, is the pinnacle of advanced French fluency testing for those who have mastered the French language. Each advanced level (C1 and C2) has a respective diploma and exam. Test-takers will be evaluated on complex French terminology, syntax, and grammar. However, it's more than just knowing the words; they'll also need to understand the nuances and logic inherent in French culture. To achieve this level of proficiency and pass the exam, we highly suggest spending time in French culture to let immersion learning do its magic.

The DALF C1 exam has the same mark distribution as the DELF exams. However, the DALF C2 exam consists of two sections: a Reading and Writing section and a Listening and Speaking section, each marked out of 50, totaling 100. To pass the DALF C2 exam, the test-taker must achieve a minimum of 10 points in each of the four individual sections and score at least 50 points overall out of 100.

The DALF consists of two independent diplomas, C1 and C2, corresponding to an advanced level of proficiency in the French language.

Overview of the French CEFR levels along with their corresponding DELF/DALF exams:

Tips to Prepare for DELF-DALF Exam with Langma