The Diplôme d’Etudes en Langue Française (DELF) is a diploma awarded by the French Ministry of National Education. It validates the level of mastery of French as a foreign language of the aspirant in the following linguistic skills: written expression, oral expression, written comprehension and oral comprehension. It is a diploma recognized globally and valid for life.
Audiences Concerned
If you are not French, or you are not French speaking, you may need to take the DELF. Language exams are helpful to smooth the progress of exchanges between countries. It is the only approach to confirm in a reliable and objective way that you have a minimum level in a language that is not your own.
If you would like to work or study in another country, this is therefore a major advantage, which adds seriousness and excellence to your application, since you highlight your talent.
Suggestion: Une Journée Terrible – French Conversation Passé Composé
Assessed levels
The DELF “tous public” is made up of 4 independent diplomas corresponding to the CEFR levels: DELF A1, DELF A2, DELF B1 and DELF B2.
- DELF A1 – Beginner level
- DELF A2 – Advanced beginner level
- DELF B1 – Intermediate level
- DELF B2 – Advanced intermediate level
Overview of DELF Each Exam
To better understand the expectations of each level and to discover the tests for each exam, click below on the level that corresponds to you.
Diplomas and Certifications
DELF – Level A1
Discover all the information, presentations of the tests, examples and suggestions for the DELF A1 “all public” version.
The A1 learner can interact in a simple way, but communication totally depends on repetition with a slower flow, reformulation and corrections. Can answer and inquire simple questions, react to and make simple statements in the domain of immediate needs or on very familiar topics.
Format of the DELF A1 Exam
The DELF A1 exam consists of 4 sections assessing the 4 language skills, namely: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Listening, reading and writing are covered by a single document. Oral expression is generally not done at the same time as the other sections of the exam.
The whole duration of the examination is 1h20min. The overall pass mark is 50/100. The pass mark for every segment is 5/25.
DELF A1 Oral comprehension
This section of the exam lasts 20 minutes and is worth 25 points. There are four very short recordings, played twice, on daily life. The maximum duration of each recording is between 2 and 3 minutes.
DELF A1 Written Comprehension
This section of the exam lasts 30 minutes and is worth 25 points. It covers four written documents about everyday life.
DELF A1 Written Production
This section of the exam lasts 20 minutes and is worth 25 points. There are two parts to this section: Part 1 covers filing in a form (generally personal information such as your name, address, marital status, nationality, date of birth, etc.) Part 2, requires the writing simple sentences on topics (letter to a friend, stories, etc.).
DELF A1 Oral Production
This section of the exam lasts approximately 20 minutes; however, the actual speaking time is 5-7 minutes. The remaining time is allocated to preparation, which will be given to you before your speaking time. About 10 minutes before your actual speaking time, you will receive the related topic you will be speaking about. The first part is a guided conversation, while the second and third parts deal with the exchange of information and a role play respectively.
The section is divided into three parts and is worth 25 points.
Sample Paper DELF A1 –Coming Soon–
DELF – Level A2
Discover all the information, presentations of the tests, examples and suggestions for the DELF A2 “all public” version.
Level A2 is characterized by the speaker’s ability to understand isolated sentences and frequently used expressions related to immediate priority areas (example simple personal and family information, shopping, close environment, work); communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring only a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine subjects.
Format of the DELF A2 Exam
The DELF A2 exam consists of 4 sections assessing the 4 language skills, namely: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Listening, reading and writing are covered by a single document. Oral expression is generally not done at the same time as the other sections of the exam.
The whole duration of the examination is 1h40min. The overall pass mark is 50/100. The pass mark for every segment is 5/25.
The DELF A2 general public assesses the four language skills:
DELF A2 Oral Comprehension
Oral comprehension: understand four short recorded documents relating to everyday life situations
Duration: 25 minutes / 25 points
DELF A2 Written Comprehension
Written comprehension: understand quarters of short written documents relating to everyday life situations and answer simple questions.
Duration: 30 minutes / 25 points
DELF A2 Written Production
Written production: writing of 2 writings:
- Literary creation (describing an event or recounting a personal experience);
- Interactive writing (invite, express thanks, make an apology, ask, inform, congratulate, etc.). Duration: 45 minutes / 25 points
DELF A2 Oral Production
Oral production (individual test with jury): present oneself during a guided interview, express oneself continuously on a personal subject, and resolve a situation of everyday life in interaction.
Duration: 6 to 8 minutes / 25 points (10 minutes of preparation)
Sample Paper DELF A2 –Coming Soon–
DELF – Level B1
Discover all the information, presentations of the tests, examples and suggestions for the DELF B1 “all public” version.
Level B1 is characterized by the capability of the speaker to understand the necessary points when a clear and standard language is used and if it is about familiar things; handle most situations encountered while traveling in an area where the target language is spoken; manufacture simple and coherent speech on familiar topics and in their areas of interest; recount an occasion, an experience or a dream, explain a hope or an objective and briefly explain the reasons or explanations for a project or an idea.
Format of the DELF B1 exam
The DELF B1 exam consists of 4 sections assessing the 4 language skills, namely: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Listening, reading and writing are covered by a single document. Oral expression is generally not done at the same time as the other sections of the exam.
The whole duration of the examination is 1h50min. The overall pass mark is 50/100. The pass mark for every segment is 5/25.
The DELF B1 general public assesses the four language skills:
DELF B1 Oral Comprehension
Oral comprehension: understand three recorded document courses relating to everyday life situations
Duration: 25 minutes / 25 points
DELF B1 Written Comprehension
Reading comprehension: understand two written documents by answering questionnaires. Extract useful information in relation to a given task and analyze the content of a document of general interest
Duration: 35 minutes / 25 points
DELF B1 Written Production
Written production: express a personal attitude on a theme relating to the professional or educational world.
Duration: 35 minutes / 25 points
DELF B1 Oral Production
Oral production (individual test with a jury): present oneself during a guided interview, resolve an interactive situation, express a point of view
Duration: 15 minutes / 25 points (10 minutes of preparation)
Sample Paper DELF B1 –coming soon–
DELF – Level B2
Discover all the information, presentations of the tests, examples and suggestions for the DELF B2 “all public” version.
Level B2 is characterized by the speaker’s ability to understand the essential content of concrete or abstract subjects in a complex text; communicate with a certain degree of spontaneity and ease, like a conversation with a native speaker without tension for either of them; express themselves clearly and in detail on a wide range of subjects, express an opinion on a topical issue and explain the advantages and disadvantages of the various possibilities.
Format of the DELF B2 exam
The DELF B2 exam consists of 4 sections assessing the 4 language skills, namely: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Listening, reading and writing are covered by a single document. Oral expression is generally not done at the same time as the other sections of the exam.
The whole duration of the examination is 2h30 min. The overall pass mark is 50/100. The pass mark for every segment is 5/25.
The DELF B2 general public assesses the four language skills:
DELF B2 Oral Comprehension
Oral comprehension: understand two recorded documents: presentation, conference, speech, documentary, radio or television broadcast.
Duration: 30 minutes / 25 points
DELF B2 Written Comprehension
Reading comprehension: understand two written documents: an informative text and an argumentative text
Duration: 60 minutes / 25 points
DELF B2 Written Production
Written production: express a reasoned position in a formal setting.
Duration: 60 minutes / 25 points
DELF B2 Oral Production
Oral production (individual test with a jury): present and defend a point of view based on a short triggering document.
Duration: 20 minutes / 25 points (30 minutes of preparation)
Top FAQs About DELF Language Levels
What is the DELF A1?
The DELF A1 is a French language exam that permits you to acquire the diploma of Studies in French Language at level A1.
How does the DELF A1 take place?
The DELF A1 is an exam that evaluates several skills through four tests. Each of them has a specific duration as well as a number of exercises and defined points:
- Reading comprehension;
- Listening comprehension;
- Written production;
- Oral production.
What is the DELF A2?
Someone at level A2 is capable to converse socially in French. The candidate knows how to communicate on simple and routine tasks requiring general phrases and exchanges of information.
What is the DELF B1?
The DELF B1 is a Diploma in French Language Studies. Level B1 (intermediate level) corresponds to the third level set up by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
What is the DELF B2?
The DELF B2 is a Diploma in French Language Studies at Advanced intermediate level. It is the fourth stage of language set up by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
What is on the DELF B2 test?
The DELF B2 exam consists of four tests:
- Oral comprehension.
- Written comprehension.
- Written production.
- Oral production.
How long is the DELF Certificates Valid?
The DELF (Diplôme d’Etudes en Langue Française) is an official diploma issued by the French Ministry of National Education to certify the competence of foreign candidates in the French language. DELF certificates are valid for life.
Is French Language difficult to learn?
French is one of the ten easiest languages to learn for English speakers. French is relatively easy to learn but it takes time and effort.
