How to prepare for DELF B2 and DALF C1 exams?
DELF B2 VS DALF C1
Many learners of French as a foreign language take French courses in order to develop language skills and cultural learning, but also to obtain French language diplomas. Among the most common diplomas, the DELF and DALF. From there arises the fundamental question for those preparing for these certification exams: what are the differences between the DELF B2 and DALF C1 levels? This article presents point by point the differences which separate these two diplomas. At the end of this article, you will finally know what level of diploma to apply for. Let’s go !
| DELF B2 | DALF C1 | |
| Diploma | French language studies diploma (Advanced level) | Advanced French language diploma (Autonomous level) |
| Duration of the test (entire course) | 3h20 | 5h30 |
| Oral comprehension | MCQ (multiple choice question) | -MCQ + written-response question
-The audio document can be very long -You have to understand the logic and the precise context of an opinion, an event, a phenomenon, a theory, etc. |
| Writing comprehensions | – MCQ
-Several short texts (one page) -Lots of questions about vocabulary, about a person’s position with regard to a policy, choice between “opposed / shared / favorable”. You have to know how to read quickly and efficiently You have to acquire the skills to find useful information
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-Except for one or two questions, the rest are written-response questions.
-The text is very long, covering ideas (literary or journalistic), from 1,500 to 2,000 words. -The content often contains abstract notions, divergent points of view, examples which often illustrate a hidden meaning. -You have to know how to justify your answer -You have to know how to synthesize -You have to know how to reformulate |
| Written production | -1h
-1 text 250 words -You have to know how to express your position -You have to know how to justify your position -It is necessary to master the textual typology: letter of demand, letter of complaint, critical writing, essay, etc. |
-2h30
-2 texts: 200 ~ 240 words and 250 words, two writing exercises: summary (synthesis) and argumentative text -You have to know how to do deductive (specific → general) and inductive (general → specific) reasoning -You have to know how to identify a problem -You have to know how to synthesize and reformulate |
| Oral production | Presentation to the jury: 20 minutes
Preparation: 30 minutes -Presentation and defense of a point of view from a short trigger document. -You must know how to express your opinion explicitly -You have to know how to defend your opinion with relevant examples |
Presentation to the jury: 30 minutes
Preparation: 1 hour -Presentation based on several written documents, followed by a discussion with the jury. -You have to know how to identify and introduce a problem -You have to know how to organize your ideas -You have to know how to prepare a monologue speech -You have to know how to argue your ideas |
The next DELF / DALF exam preparation session starts on 12/04/2021. The registration end date is 04/01/2021 and the cost of the training is 400€ .
