With this post we continue our journey through the language certification systems and take a look, this week, at the certifications for French.
If you missed the previous articles, here is where to find them:
- Here, the general picture of how language certifications work and, in particular, an overview of the Common European Framework of Reference, or CEFR.
- Here, on the other hand, how English language certifications work.
While in the English-speaking world, as we saw a few weeks ago, certifications are issued and governed by the most prestigious universities and cultural institutes, French presents a far more straightforward picture, with the main programmes and tests under the direct control of the Ministère de l’Éducation nationale (the French equivalent of Italy’s education ministry).
The main diplomas are the DELF (Diplôme d’études en langue française) and the DALF (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française), joined by the DFM (Diplômes de français professionnel), which certify language skills in specific fields (medical or legal, for instance).
Alongside this system there is a second one: the certificates awarded by the Alliance Française, which unlike the DELF and DALF have no legal standing.
As always, remember that European School offers preparation and support for every French language certification.
The DELF / DALF system
DELF and DALF are organised across six different levels that map perfectly onto the levels set out in the CEFR: there is a DELF A1, A2, B1 and B2, while the DALF covers the advanced levels (DALF C1 and DALF C2).
This certification system was created in 1985 by the French government itself, to provide a single, clear way of assessing and certifying language level. Because they are supervised directly by the French education ministry, they are diplomas recognised as having legal value.
They are therefore valid for French public and private institutions, for admission to French-speaking universities, and for competitive applications for scholarships and for training programmes abroad run by various European countries. They are also highly regarded in the private sector.
They never expire, being to all intents and purposes French state diplomas.
In Italy a great many people sit the exams for the DELF and DALF diplomas. The exams can only be taken at bodies operating under the ministry: the five Institut Français centres (in Milan, Florence, Rome, Naples and Palermo), or at one of the 20-plus Alliance Française centres across the country.
The DFM diplomas in French
While the DELF and DALF fall under the ministry, the DFM diplomas were created by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIP) in order to certify command of the language within a specific professional field.
Compared with the DELF and DALF, then, which are asked for across the board (in professional and academic settings alike, or to meet legal requirements), the DFM diplomas are used mainly in the workplace in the private sector.
The DFM exams are also sat at the various Institut Français or Alliance Française centres.
These are the diplomas available:
• For a general command of French in a professional context: DFP A2 / DFP B1
• DFP Affaires for specific competence in business communication (levels B2, C1, C2)
• DFP Tourisme (levels A2, B1, B2)
• DFP Mode Design (level A2)
• DFP Scientifique et technique (levels A2, B2)
• DFP Diplomatie (B1)
• DFP Secrétariat (B1, B2)
• DFP Médical (B2)
• DFP Juridique (B2)
The Alliance Française certificates
The Alliance Française, which also administers the DELF / DALF diplomas, has developed a certification system of its own.
The Alliance Française certificates are far less widely used than the others, but they are recognised within the CEFR.
They are as follows:
• Level A2: Certificat d’Etudes de Français Pratique 1 (CEFP1)
• Level B1: Certificat d’Etudes de Français Pratique 2 (CEFP2);
• Level B2: Diplôme de Langue Française (DL);
• Level C1: Diplôme Supérieur d’Etudes Françaises Modernes (DS)
• Level C2: Diplôme de Hautes Etudes Françaises (DHEF)
Which language certification should you choose?
With French, most people opt for the DALF and DELF certifications, because they carry full legal validity and are the most widely recognised.
There may, however, be different and more specific needs, tied above all to the workplace.
Here too, then, it is worth talking things through with a qualified teacher, who will be able to point you in the right direction so that your efforts go where they will do you the most good.
