DELF, DALF & TCF
The Alliance Française of Houston is a certified institution where you can take the DELF/ DALF exam.
What is the DELF/DALF exam ?
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DELF (Diplôme d'Etudes en Langue Française) and DALF (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française) are official French proficiency diplomas administered but the French Government and the French Department of Education. The Ministry of National Education, Youth and Sports offers a wide range of certifications in French as a foreign language to confirm skills in French, from learning as a beginner to more advanced levels. France Éducation International, a public service provider, is responsible for these certifications on behalf of the ministry.
DELF (Tout public)
Diploma in French language studies
4 diplomas : DELF A1, DELF A2, DELF B1, DELF B2
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DELF (tout public) is an official, high-quality diploma, harmonised with the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
This diploma is recognised worldwide and is valid for life.
Depending on the level, the DELF can enhance a curriculum vitae (CV) and make it easier to get a job in a company where the language spoken is French.
For instance, the DELF B1 allows you to obtain French nationality. The DELF B2 allows entry into French, European or Francophone universities, and into certain grandes écoles.
The DELF "tout public" is intended for adults and older teenagers, foreigners or French, who wish to develop their French language skills for personal or professional purposes.
The "all-public" version implies that all themes of society can be addressed in the public, personal, professional and educational exercises.
DALF
​Diploma in advanced French language studies
2 diplomas : DALF C1, DALF C2
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The DALF is a DELF version but for advanced French learners.
The DELF makes it possible to confirm French language skills. This diploma is valid for life.
The DALF can enhance a curriculum vitae (CV) and make it easier to get a job in a company where the language spoken is French. It can also be used to enter a French, European or French-speaking university, as well as certain grandes écoles.
The DALF corresponds to an experienced user level. This implies that all the themes of society can be covered in the tests on public, personal, professional and educational levels and that the candidate is able to understand and express himself/herself on all subjects without difficulty.
DELF Junior Prim
Diploma in French language studies
4 diplomas : DELF A1, DELF A2, DELF B1, DELF B2
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The "junior/scolaire" version is aimed at children andteenagers, both foreigners and French, who want to improve their French language skills.
The "junior/scholastic" version implies that only themes of interest to young people are included in the exercises.
Indeed, the DELF exams assess communication skills. A young learner will be placed in a context that will make it easier for him/her to react in the "junior/school" version; he/she will thus be able to demonstrate all his/her skills to the evaluators.
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TCF
TCF TP (Tout public)
The TCF tout public is the language level test set by the French Ministry for National Education, Young People and Sports. It assesses general French language skills for those whose first language is not French.
Therefore, it is recognised by the following for this purpose:
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Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation,
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Department for Integration and Nationality Acquisition (part of the Ministry of the Interior),
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Ministry of Culture,
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Québec Ministry for Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI),
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university authorities,
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language learning centres,
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the workplace.
TCF Québec
The TCF Québec is aimed at all individuals 16 years old and above, regardless of their nationality or native language, who want to submit an immigration application to the Québec Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration, MIFI).
The TCF for Québec has been designed to meet the requirements set by the Québec authorities, which has standardised French tests and exams as an automatic and mandatory element of the process to obtain a certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), which is a step towards being granted a permanent visa. French nationals and French speakers are also included in this measure.
The Québec authorities also recognise, as an exemption, the TCF tout public with the verbal skills tests, as well as the DELF and DALF diplomas (with the condition of achieving a minimum score in the listening comprehension and verbal skills tests and a validity of at least 2 years).
TCF - Canada
The TCF IRN is aimed at all foreign nationals over 16 years old who want to confirm their level of French in order to:
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apply for French nationality;
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apply for a long-term residence permit;
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validate A1 level as part of the OFII citizenship process.
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The TCF Integration, Residence and Nationality (TCF IRN) meets the provisions:
- of decree no. 2016-1456 of 28 October 2016 and of the order of 21 February 2018 of the Ministry of the Interior on verifying the knowledge of French for those applying for a long-term residence permit;
- of decree of 30 December 2019 of the Ministry of the Interior on verifying the knowledge of French for those applying for French nationality.
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The TCF IRN can also be used to validate A1 level (OFII citizenship process).
TCF IRN
The TCF Québec is aimed at all individuals 16 years old and above, regardless of their nationality or native language, who want to submit an immigration application to the Québec Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration, MIFI).
The TCF for Québec has been designed to meet the requirements set by the Québec authorities, which has standardised French tests and exams as an automatic and mandatory element of the process to obtain a certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), which is a step towards being granted a permanent visa. French nationals and French speakers are also included in this measure.
The Québec authorities also recognise, as an exemption, the TCF tout public with the verbal skills tests, as well as the DELF and DALF diplomas (with the condition of achieving a minimum score in the listening comprehension and verbal skills tests and a validity of at least 2 years).
The Alliance Française of Houston is also certified for the TCF (Test de Connaissance du Français).
What is the TCF ?
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The Test de Connaissance du Français (TCF), designed by the France Education International and accredited by the French Ministry of Education, is a French language proficiency test for non-native speakers of French who wish to evaluate and have their level of proficiency certified for professional, academic or personal reasons.
In general, the TCF grades and ranks candidates at one of the six levels (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 or C2) on a scale defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. TCF grade results are reliable measurements for determining proficiency. Each candidate is awarded a certificate which is valid for two years.
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If you want to take the DELF/DALF exam or TCF, or if have any questions regarding your level, please contact our Programs Coordinator at programs@alliancehouston.org .
The DELF/DALF diplomas are made up of separate diplomas that correspond to the CEFR levels
(Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).