FAQ

From parents like you

• What is DELF?

  The DELF (Diplôme d’études en langue française) is an official international certification awarded by the French Ministry of Education indicating the level of proficiency of candidates from outside France in the French language.

• A1, B2...What do the levels mean?

  A quick way to think about the CEFR levels are as follows: the A levels are basic users of the French Language. The B levels are independent users of the language. Users at level C are considered proficient.

• My child’s interested in the DELF. Why should they take it?

  The DELF is an internationally recognized certification of French proficiency. It certifies the student for life at the level they wrote the exam, and enriches the student’s educational or professional portfolio. DELF certifications at certain levels are required for acceptance into certain francophone postsecondary institutions.

  Certification aside, students who have taken the DELF reported that their success motivated them to continue on in French-language learning, and boosted their confidence.

• Are Grade 12 students the only ones allowed to take the test?

  No, students can take the DELF at any age. Students under the age of 18 may wish to take the DELF Junior, which awards the same certification at the same level of difficulty, but the test questions are modified to suit the interests of younger people.

• Is it offered through my child’s school?

  Many Ontario school boards are affiliated with a DELF centre and offer this opportunity to Grade 12 FSL students. However, the exam is only offered through accredited centres, and held at exactly the same time across Canada. For a list of possible DELF centres to locate the one nearest you, click here.

• When is the test?

  The DELF is held three times per year, in a schedule released by the French government. It’s encouraged to reach out to your nearest testing centre to ensure that they are hosting the test on the date(s) that work for you and your child.

• Is there a cost?

  There is a registration fee for taking the DELF: prices are determined each year and can be found here.

• What does it take to pass?

  Each test in the DELF – reading, writing, listening comprehension, and speaking – is out of 25 points. To obtain the diploma, the candidate must have at least 50 points out of 100, and 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.

  The reading, writing, and listening comprehension components are completed in the same room by all students. The spoken component is completed individually in front of two examiners.

• My child has a disability. Are there accommodations available for them?

  A range of accommodations are available for candidates with disabilities, such as two alternate test versions in braille, large-print versions of test papers for blind or visually-impaired candidates as well as the provision of headphones for those with hearing difficulties.

  Please reach out to your child’s school board when seeking accommodations for the DELF.

• How can my child practice?

  There are practice exams available on this website for each level of the DELF, here. After selecting their level, your child can access practice questions for all four sections of the exam.

  Further preparatory resources are available on the French Embassy to Canada’s website.