The DALF is a diploma issued by the French Ministry of Education certifying the level of experience in French. This certification opens up many possibilities, such as studying, working, or moving to a French-speaking country.
What do you need the DALF certificate for ?
DALF is Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française, and two types exist: DALF C1 and DALF C2. DALF is an official diploma issued by the French Ministry of Education. It certifies mastery of French as a foreign language. DALF C1 and DALF C2 are official certifications that exempt the language exam from many procedures, such as applying for admission to a French university.
Are the DALF C1 and C2 difficult ?
When taking the DALf exam, a certain proficiency is expected in order for you to pass the exam. Here is a list of keypoints that will be evaluated during your DALF C1 Exam:
- you need to listen to and understand spoken French (speeches, films, broadcasts);
- you can read specific long texts on unknown topics;
- you can identify and evaluate stylistic differences in literary texts;
- you can speak fluently without searching for words and express ideas and opinions fluently and effectively;
- you can develop points according to a logical structure and speak continuously, integrating and demonstrating multiple themes;
- you can write about complex topics in a style appropriate to the addressee in a detailed and structured manner with few errors.
Here is a list of keypoints that will be evaluated during your DALF C2 Exam:
- you need to understand textual and oral conversations (conversational, TV, radio) without difficulty;
- you can coherently reconstruct facts and arguments from different sources (written and oral);
- you can express him/herself fluently, spontaneously, and accurately;
- you can carry on a conversation on complex topics with shades of meaning;
- You need to be able to use French idioms and common phrases;
- You have to be able to write factual reports, reviews or summaries.
Where can I take the DALF exam ?
DALF exams are taken at accredited testing sites. It is not possible to take them online; everything is done on site. There are nearly 1,200 exam sites in France and around the world. In France, they can be found in most cities and regions. Abroad, the Institut Français and Alliances Françaises in the capital and major cities are accredited examination centers.
French exam centers in your city
Here are some examples of approved examination centers:
- In France: Centre de linguistique appliquée in Besançon, Alliance française Bordeaux Aquitaine (AFBA), Université de Bretagne occidentale – SUFC in Rennes, Lycée International de Ferney-Voltaire in Lyon.
- Abroad: French Institute of Japan (Tokyo), French Institute of Turkey (Istanbul), French Institute of Vietnam (Hanoi), Alliance française de Maracaibo (Venezuela).
What is the DALF exam fees ?
The average cost of DALF is 150 euros. However, it may vary depending on the test site and year. An additional fee of approximately 30 euros may be required to create a registration file (application fee).
How to prepare the DALF exam ?
How to prepare for the DALF exam ? To pass the DALF exam and obtain a diploma valid for life, you must be prepared. Before you start practicing, test your level of French and register with the DALF that best suits you.
Identify your current french level
- The TCF (test de connaissance du français) allows you to know your level of French.
- Radio France International offers a French test composed of a series of questions.
- TV5monde offers an online French language placement test.
- The Ev@lang test is available online. It allows a reliable and quick evaluation (35 minutes maximum) of the foreign language level of users. It is available on all types of media. It allows the user to know his foreign language level in detail as soon as he completes the test. It is possible to edit a summary of the results.
- The site francaisfacile offers online French tests. In particular, there is a large level test, to be taken first, to find out your strengths and weaknesses in French.
- Victorias offers a free online French test. This test gives you an idea of your level. It is a multiple choice test with only one correct answer per question.
- The ESL website offers a quick French test, you can evaluate your language skills. This online test evaluates listening comprehension, grammar, as well as general and specific vocabulary. This exam takes 10 to 15 minutes. Once completed, you will have a clear idea of your level of French.
- France Langue offers a French test that allows you to test your knowledge of French vocabulary, grammar and comprehension.
These evaluations will allow you to situate your level to begin a training program adapted to help you achieve your goal.
DALF C1-C2 training
Nothing prepares you better for an exam than practice! The DALF has several types of preparation:
- Distance preparation: Some French organizations offer online courses to prepare for the DALF. The CNED (Centre National d’Etudes à Distance) is a French organization whose DALF training costs between 119 and 159 euros.
- In-person preparation: Many training centers offer intensive French courses at the C1-C2 level. Prices vary from 100 euros to 500 euros.
- Universities: Several French universities offer preparatory courses for the DALF C1 and C2
- The Alliance francophone and the Académie française in Japan: these organizations often prepare for the DALF exams worldwide
- Language schools: they are specialized in language teaching and can prepare for the DALF
- Personal preparation (or self-study): this involves training with the help of professional books and French-language resources (websites, news, podcasts, etc.)