DELF – Diploma in French Language Studies
Prepare for and Take the DELF A1, A2, B1 and B2
The DELF – Diploma in French Language Studies is an official diploma issued by the French Ministry of National Education. It certifies candidates’ French language proficiency. It allows individuals to enhance their French knowledge and skills for personal, academic, university, or professional purposes. This diploma is recognized worldwide and is valid for life.
The Four Levels of DELF: A1, A2, B1 and B2
The DELF is a diploma aligned with the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. It is recognized worldwide and allows individuals to enhance their French language skills. It comprises 4 levels:
- DELF A1 and DELF A2 (elementary user)
- DELF B1 and DELF B2 (independent user)
At each level, 4 skills are assessed: oral comprehension and oral production, written comprehension and written production.
The DELF B1 allows one to obtain French nationality. The DELF B2, and increasingly the DALF C1, grant access to French, European, or Francophone universities, and to certain ‘grandes écoles’.
Who should take the DELF diploma?
Foreign nationals and French nationals from non-French-speaking countries who do not hold a French public secondary or higher education diploma may be issued a DELF for :
- enhance your level of French
- enter a vocational stream
- apply for French nationality
- obtain a residence permit for Quebec
What's so special about DELF Junior?
DELF Junior is designed for secondary school students aged 12 to 17. It is available in A1, A2, B1 and B2 versions.
This exam is based on the same structure as the DELF for the general public. Only the themes are different: the materials take account of young people’s interests.
The DELF junior is reserved for people of secondary school age, and gives entitlement to a diploma identical to that of the general public version. It is not marked “junior”.
Where can I take the DELF Exams?
Located in the center of Tours, about 15 minutes’ walk from the train station, Institut de Touraine is an Exams center approved by France Éducation Internationale and by the Rectorat d’Orléans-Tours (University of Tours).
Deliberations take place under the authority of the jury chairman and his assessors, approved by the Rectorat.
Description of DELF tests
DELF exam s can be organized over one or two days, depending on the number of candidates registered for the exam. The days and times of the tests will be communicated a few days before the exam.
4 skills are assessed: oral comprehension (OC), written comprehension (CE) and written production (PE) in group tests, and oral production (PO) in individual tests.
Understanding oral | 4 very short recorded documents about everyday life, 2 global listens Comprehension questionnaires Duration: approx. 20 minutes |
Understanding writings | 4 or 5 written documents about daily life Comprehension questionnaires Duration: 30 minutes |
Written production | Two-part test: 1) complete a form 2) write simple sentences (postcards, messages…) on everyday subjects daily (40/50 words) Duration: 30 minutes |
Oral production | 3-part test: 1) Guided interview 2) Information exchange (associate a word with a sentence) 3) Simulated dialogue Time: 5 to 7 minutes (preparation: 10 min.) |
Understanding oral | 4 short recorded documents about everyday life, 2 global listens Comprehension questionnaires Duration: approx. 25 minutes |
Understanding writings | 3 or 4 written documents about daily life Comprehension questionnaires Duration: 30 minutes |
Written production | 2 short written productions: – Describe an event or personal experiences; – Write to invite, thank, apologize, request, inform… (60/80 words) Duration: 45 minutes |
Oral production | 3-part test: 1) Guided interview 2) monologue followed by 3) interactive exercise (information request) Time: 6 to 8 minutes (10 min. preparation) |
Understanding oral | 3 recorded documents (dialogue, announcement, information…), 2 global listens Comprehension questionnaires Duration: approx. 25 minutes |
Understanding writings | 3 written documents: comprehension questionnaires Objectives : – Identify useful information for a given task – Analyze the content of a document of general interest Duration: 45 minutes |
Written production | Expression of a personal attitude on a general theme (essay, letter, article…) (160/180 words) Duration: 45 minutes |
Oral production | 3-part test: 1) Guided interview 2) Interactive exercise (role-playing) 3) Expressing a point of view using a trigger document Time: 15 minutes (preparation: 10 minutes) |
Understanding oral | Three recorded documents: – Presentations, lectures, radio or television programs… two global listening sessions – Interviews, speeches, news bulletins… a global listening experience Comprehension questionnaires Duration: approx. 30 minutes |
Understanding writings | Three written documents: – One of an informative nature concerning France or the French-speaking world – An argumentative Comprehension questionnaires Duration: 1 hour |
Written production | Argumentative personal position (contribution to a debate, formal letter), critical article…) (250 words) Duration: 1 hour |
Oral production | Present and defend a point of view based on a short trigger document Duration: 20 minutes (30-minute preparation time) |
Registration for DELF Exams
To register for the DELF exam, you must complete the registration form on both sides and send it to us by e-mail, or hand it in to Exams with your payment. You must respect the session registration periods indicated on our DELF-DALF 2026 calendar.
What documents do I need to register for the DELF exam?
- completed registration form
- copy of ID to be presented at exam
- copy of certificate of passing or registration or invitation to the Exams exam
- DELF or DALF (even if unsuccessful) if you have already registered previously, as you need to communicate your candidate number, which remains the same.
How do I pay for DELF?
Your registration will only be validated on receipt of your payment, which must be made during the registration period. You can pay by credit card or bank transfer.
All registrations must be accompanied by payment of the registration fee. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE REGISTERED.
Registration fees are non-refundable for any reason.
DELF convocation and results
An individual invitation will be sent to you by e-mail a few days before the exam. It is very important to indicate a valid and legible e-mail address on your registration form.
You will need to check your personal details (surname, first name, nationality, date of birth, place of birth) and report any errors to the registration department so that changes can be made. Any changes made after the Exams date will be charged at €7.
You will take the exam with :
- the invitation on paper or on your telephone
- your official identity document on paper only, not in digital form
- black/blue ballpoint pen
DELF results are available within 8 to 10 working days. An e-mail will be sent to you to let you know when the results are available. You can pick up your results sheet on site or request that they be sent to you by post.
If you wish to consult your examination papers, you must make a formal request, for the attention of the Chairman of the Board of Examiners, within a few days of the examination by sending an e-mail to the Exams Department. This will be advisory only. Grades cannot be altered.
You can pick up your attestation on site, or have it sent to you by post. The attestation has the same evidential value as the diploma issued at a later date. Be sure to keep the original attestation. In accordance with French legislation, no duplicates will be issued.
F.E.I. and the Rectorat issue the diplomas and send them to the Exams center within 6 months. An e-mail will be sent to you to inform you when the diploma is available. You can pick up your diploma on site or request it to be sent to you by post.
The mail is sent by registered mail. You will need to let us know the exact address to which the letter should be sent. In the event of non-delivery of the diploma and its return to Institut de Touraine, reshipment will be invoiced at €15.
Certificates and diplomas cannot be sent by e-mail. You can appoint someone to collect your certificate or diploma by drawing up a power of attorney, which the person must present together with a copy of your ID and their own ID. You can request the completed document from the Exams department by e-mail.
Keep the original of each document.
Succeed in the DELF with the Institut De Touraine
High-quality instruction
by teachers specializing in French as a Foreign Language (FLE), DELF and DALF examiners and correctors, accredited by France Éducation Internationale
Free access to the media library
with a wide selection of books and exercises to prepare for your diploma.
An accredited examination center
located at the Institut de Touraine, offering 8 DELF sessions per year (according to the national calendar)