• The DELF (Diplôme d’Etudes en Langue Française / Diploma in French language) and DALF (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française / Advanced Diploma in French language) diplomas are awarded in recognition of French proficiency. They are held in over 120 countries and issued by the French Ministry of Education to certify the French language skills of candidates.
• The DELF examinations are designed to assess the communicative skills of candidates in a real-life situation using authentic documents, and to evaluate practical language skills (writing a letter, asking for information, exchanging opinions) rather than formal grammatical knowledge.
• There are six diplomas corresponding to the six-level scale of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CECR). The four diplomas that make up the DELF are A1, A2, B1 and B2, and two diplomas make up the DALF, namely C1 and C2.

• Diplomas are issued by the French Ministry of Education and accepted worldwide — including by the government of Quebec, Canada.
• Exams are held world-wide and conducted under the supervision of the French Embassy of respective countries, at accredited official examination centres.
• The DELF-DALF structure is modelled on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which serves as an international reference in the organisation of language teaching and certification.
• These diplomas are internationally recognised and valid for life – an asset whether you are currently studying or already in the working world.
• Should you wish to study at a French university, the DELF B2 is the minimum language requirement. Candidates who earn the DALF are exempted from language entrance examinations at French universities.
• Candidates having earned the DELF/DALF earn extra points for immigration to countries such as Canada. All candidates applying to immigrate to Quebec, Canada, must have DELF A1, as well as IELTS.

BASIC USER A1 - A2

A1 – Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

A2 – Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.

INDEPENDENT USER B1 - B2

B1 – Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

B2 – Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

PROFICIENT USER C1 - C2

C1 – Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

C2 – Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.

The Alliance Française of Potchefstroom works in partnership with the French subject group at the North-West University (Potchefstroom) to administer DELF examinations.

Currently students can write levels A1, A2 and B1 here in Potchefstroom! If you want to write more advanced levels, you can contact the Alliance Française of Johannesburg or Pretoria to find out about available dates.

At each level, four skills are evaluated: listening, speaking, reading and writing. The DELF exams are divided into 2 parts:

• Listening comprehension, written production, and reading comprehension are tested in a written exam. The date and time of this written exam is scheduled nationally and cannot be changed under any circumstances.
• Speaking and oral interaction are tested in a one-on-one exam. The date and time of this oral exam is communicated to candidates no later than one week prior to the written exam.

Times of DELF examinations in Potchefstroom will be published on our website. You can contact us for more information or sign up to our mailing list to receive updates.