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Universities in France offer excellent research opportunities, fantastic infrastructure and innovative technologies. These are some of the reasons students want to pursue their higher education in France. However, the language is often a challenge, since universities require students to have high proficiency in French – exactly what level of French depends on the course.
If students want to join courses demanding advanced skills in French, they need to work to meet the requirements. Several exams certify proficiency in French but the most advanced and the best French exam for courses that demand high proficiency in French is DALF. The DALF diplomas are awarded by the International Centre for French Studies administers on behalf of France’s ministry of education. After successfully completing a DALF exam, students get certificates that are valid for the rest of their life.
DALF preparation in France: course benefits
The DALF diploma is useful for European higher education and employers looking for new students or employees with French at a high level. A DALF certificate shows that a student joining a French-speaking college or university is highly proficient in French. This means a student with DALF certification does not have to take any other French language test as an entry requirement to their preferred college or university, and means you can join your course as soon as it begins rather than delay to take another French test.
Our DALF preparation course helps students:
- Revise their knowledge of the French language
- Understand the methods used in different parts of the exam
- Recognise specific melodies in French and their use
What is the DALF exam?
DALF meaning is Diploma in Advanced French – in French, it’s Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française.
DALF certificates are available in two levels: C1 and C2.
- At C1, French language users communicate fluently and spontaneously. People with a DALF C1 certificate have a diverse vocabulary and can choose the right expression to start a conversation or an email or letter. At this level, a student can generate a clear and well-crafted discourse without hesitation, showing command and use the correct structure.
- At C2, the command of the French language is established through accuracy, fluency and appropriateness of expression. DALF exam students at this level can complete tasks at an academic and advanced level.
The C1 and C2 DALF certifications are the best diplomas in the French language. So, the DALF definition is that you have mastered the French language.
Who is our DALF preparation course for?
Our DALF preparation in France is for adults who need it for their higher education or career, as well as people who want to demonstrate their advanced French skills. The DALF course is for everyone over 16, including international students who want their French skills to be recognised by another institution or for professional reasons.
Some masters or doctoral courses will ask for a DALF French levels of C1: C2 is also required sometimes. You might also need these levels of French to work in the civil service of a French-speaking nation. At French in Normandy, we welcome many students from all over the world, students including Swiss and Latin American nationals who want to study at one of our universities. We’re also welcoming many students from Japan and Korea who want to validate their French skills, and are also noticing interest from students who want to enter the National Institute of Bakery and Pastry (INBP).
At French in Normandy we offer high-quality DALF exam preparation in France to prepare you adequately for these tests. Our course will prepare you in all aspects of the language and give you the level of French needed for your French academic life. The advanced DALF course will ensure you have an excellent grasp of the French language, and you can talk about specific subjects easily and naturally.
DALF preparation in France: course objectives
The DALF exam evaluates the communicative skills and functional knowledge of students in real situations using authentic documents.
Our DALF preparation course follows the requirements of the DALF exam and responds to the student demands. At French in Normandy, we have are three main DALF course objectives:
- Understand the methodology used in DALF exams
- Gain experience responding and attempting tasks in a setting that is similar to an exam setting
- Give students personalised feedback and corrections to oral and written production.
Our DALF and DELF Courses
3D - Dedicated DELF / DALF Preparation Course
Combine 15 hours of morning language classes (communicative language learning and practice) with 10 hours of intensive exam preparation of each competence, receiving marked and corrected work that will be carried out under exam-conditions. All students have access to a personal pedagogic report to follow their progression.
Demi DELF / DALF Preparation Course
10 hours of intensive exam preparation of each competence, receiving marked and corrected work that will be carried out under exam-conditions. All students have access to a personal pedagogic report to follow their progression.
DELF / DALF Combi Course
Combine 15 hours of morning language classes (communicative language learning and practice) with 5 hours one-to-one personalized DELF/DALF preparation.
DALF preparation in France: course content
The DALF course is divided into four units which together show extensive proficiency in the French language. DALF certificate holders have mastered college-level skills such as document synthesis, oral presentations, essays and summarising in their specialist subject.
To increase the chance of you passing the DALF exam, we strongly recommend you follow an intensive French course before taking an exam preparation course. This way, you will have the opportunity of revising all grammatical, phonetic and lexical skills you need, and even increase your knowledge of French culture which you will need for the DALF certification.
At French In Normandy, you can choose the length of your DALF course: we help you progress fast with groups of 12 students or fewer and our friendly and knowledgeable staff (many of them DELF or DALF examiners) will make sure you reach your goal as fast as possible.
The DALF Preparation course includes a final mock exam so you know what to expect during your exam.
The DALF preparation course is for a minimum of 5 weeks with 25 hours of teaching per week. At French in Normandy we combine 15 hours of morning language classes with 10 hours of afternoon intensive exam preparation. The morning classes focus on grammar, listening and speaking, reading and writing to ensure students gain the necessary language skills required for each level of the exam. All students receive a personal report, to understand their progress.
Which DALF exam course option is best for you?
DALF diplomas are independent: you must take the right test to show your level of progress in French. So you’ll need to decide which level you can pass easily and take that. Unless you need to reach a particular level for university entrance, it is a good idea to take the test that you believe is easier. This means you are guaranteed at least one DALF certificate as you work towards an advanced French diploma.
Some individuals may prefer to take the TCF exam, Test de connaissance du français. This test is intended for anybody who wants to have their French language skills assessed for personal or professional reasons.
To succeed in your exam, regardless of the test you choose to take, you have to continue working on your French skills. You need to prepare and practice. Like most other tests, it is a great idea to be accustomed to the format of the exam.
At French in Normandy, you will be on top of your regular French practice with extra exam exercises and you will be prepared to pass your DALF exam along with 99% of our students.
Book now – or find out more
We are looking forward to welcoming to beautiful Rouen so that we can help you reach your goals and enjoy studying in France. Contact us to find out more about what we can offer, or book now.