Preparation for the DELF / DALF exams

PASS YOUR EXAMS 📜

Sophie’s Academy offers customized courses to help you prepare and pass your French exams. I guide you with a real methodology including exam simulations with correction and remediation to help you achieve the best score!

Taking French exams to enter a university, for professional or personal reasons.

Private or group lessons focus on preparation for the following French exams:

• DELF (Diplôme d’Etudes de Langue Française, levels A1 to B2)
• DALF (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française, level C1/C2)
• TCF (Test de Connaissance du Français by the Alliance Française, all levels) Any other exam in France or in your own country.

Emphasis is placed on improving four specific skills: listening comprehension, reading comprehension, oral expression, and written expression.

Which French exam should you take?

DELF

The DELF (Diplôme d’Etudes de Langue Française) covers the first 4 levels of the Council of Europe’s scale: levels A1, A2, B1, and B2. The diploma is recognized worldwide. It is issued by the French Ministry of National Education.

Each exam tests you on four areas:

• Listening comprehension
• Reading comprehension
• Oral production
• Written production

Each is scored out of 25. The exams are scored out of 100. To pass any of the levels, you must achieve a score of 50/100, with a minimum score of 5/25 in each area.Once obtained, the diploma does not need to be renewed. They never expire!

DALF

The DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française) covers the last 2 levels of the Council of Europe’s scale: levels C1-C2. It is often the diploma of choice for employment in global companies.

The C1 exam tests you on 4 areas (like the DELF): reading, writing, speaking, and listening (scored out of 25).

The C2 exam is slightly different and combines related skills:

Written comprehension + written expression (scored out of 50) Oral expression + oral comprehension (out of 50) Like the DELF, once obtained, the diploma does not need to be renewed. They never expire!

TCF

The TCF ranks candidates at one of 6 levels from beginner to proficient (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, or C2). The Council of Europe defines the scale. This exam is a multiple-choice test of 76 items covering:

Reading comprehension Mastery of grammatical structures Listening comprehension Optional tests for written and oral expression This proficiency test is for non-native French speakers who wish to have their level of proficiency assessed and certified. The reason can be professional, academic, or personal.

The TCF is used in a variety of contexts, including immigration, university admission, employment, or any other need requiring proof of French proficiency. The French Ministry of Education accredits it.

The TCF issues a results certificate that is generally valid for two years. After this period, some organizations may require an update of the results.

How to prepare for French exams?

Taking an exam preparation course will give you a better chance of success. We work together with a customized methodology:

• Practice exams are the best way to prepare. But reviewing past exams is not enough. It is also important to analyze your wrong answers. We think about how you can improve.
• We will develop your listening skills with many audio resources, complete sentences, and specific words.
• Good pronunciation helps your examiner understand you quickly. It can also influence his opinion of your level of French proficiency.
• French can be tricky as we have many rules… and many exceptions. The best way to remember French grammar is to practice with everyday activities.

A customized methodology to succeed in your French exam

Having the right diplomas helps students and professionals access international schools or French companies.

DELF and DALF certifications are ideal for students and professionals considering applying to a higher education institution or jobs in France. These certificates from the French Ministry of National Education are internationally recognized diplomas. They also verify the level of French you have achieved. Finally, they never expire!