r/French • • Nov 25 '24

Study advice DELF/DALF/TCF/TEF questions masterpost!

110 Upvotes

Hi peeps!

Questions about DELF, DALF and other exams are recurrent in the sub, so we're making this as a “masterpost” to address most of them. If you are wondering about a French language exam, people might have answered your questions here! If you have taken one of said exams, your experience is valuable and we'd love to hear from you in the comments!

Please upvote useful answers! Also keep in mind this is a kind of FAQ, so if you have questions that it does not answer, you're better off making a post about it, rather than commenting here!

If you're unsure what to say, here's what community members have most frequently asked about.

  1. What's the difference between DELF/DALF/TCF/TEF/... and other language certifications? When/why should one choose to take each?
  2. How does the exam go? Please be as precise as you can.
  3. What types of questions are asked, both for writing and speaking parts?
  4. What grammar notions, vocabulary or topics are important to know?
  5. How's the rhythm, the speed, do you have time to think or do you need to hurry?
  6. What's your experience with DELF/DALF/TCF/TEF/..., how do you know if you're ready? Any advice?
  7. How long should one expect to study before being ready for the different DELF/DALF/TCF/TEF/... levels?
  8. Any resources to help prepare for DELF/DALF/TCF/TEF/... specifically (not for learning French in general)?
  9. Can you have accommodations, for instance if you're disabled?
  10. How can I sign up for one of these exams?
  11. Will these certifications help me get into universities, schools, or get a job in a French-speaking country?

Additionally, the website TCF Prépa answers many questions (albeit succinctly) here.


r/French • • Aug 26 '23

Mod Post FAQ – read this first!

286 Upvotes

Hello r/French!

To prevent common reposts, we set up two pages, the FAQ and a Resources page. Look into them and search the subreddit before posting!

The FAQ currently answers the following questions:

The Resources page contains the following categories:

Also make sure to check out our Related Subreddits in the sidebar!


r/French • • 11h ago

Study advice Which DELF exam model is more frequent

0 Upvotes

First of all, sorry for writing in English. My French still isn't great.

I have been studying for DELF B1 lately, and I have found out that there are 2 different exam formats.

Here are two examples:

First model: https://www.france-education-international.fr/document/delf-b1-tp-candidat-coll-exemple1

Second model: https://www.france-education-international.fr/document/delf-b1-tp-candidat-coll-exemple2

Is it possible to know which format I'll be taking when I register for the exam? Is one of the two formats used more frequently than the other?

Thank you so much in advance!

Thank you so much in advance.


r/French • • 21h ago

Vocabulary / word usage Basic French Medical Terminology

6 Upvotes

Bonjour à tous,

Perhaps a strange question. At my day job, I use french to help new to the country and who have been here for a while to know what and how to do things in a banking or simple financial fashion: how your checking account works, what a statement is. How a credit score works, what can harm your credit, and etc. I am not the only person at my workplace that speaks french. At my office along we have myself and another who speaks french, I am self taught she is from a country that spoke it primarily, and we have 3 Spanish speakers.

My workplace encourages volunteering and we are in a hub with many french speaking immigrants. My office is able to help those french speakers, but some of the surrounding services aren't able to. There is a volunteer medical health clinic that also serves these french speakers of the community; however, they lack translators. I have been working with this volunteer organization to see about having me and my colleague volunteer (we have other offices that also have french speakers), but while I am fluent in simple finance terms, I am not to sure about health related topics.

My primary focus is aiding my community, but would anyone have any recommendations for french health terms? On my call with the volunteer coordinator they mentioned some of the most common things off the top of their head being Diabetes, OB/GYN, and high blood pressure.


r/French • • 19h ago

Study advice What is the difference between third and fifth edition of the Complete French All in one book?

1 Upvotes

Hi friends, I’m planning to buy a book called “practice makes perfect: complete French all in one by Annie Heminway”.

When I checked the amazon Canada website, there were two editions. Fifth edition is $27 but third edition is $52. I’m wondering what is the difference why there is this much price gap between the editions. Generally the newer editions should cost more right? Can you suggest? Thanks.


r/French • • 1d ago

Chapeau A1 Buch vom Hueber Verlag

0 Upvotes

Hey, hat vielleicht jemand auch angefangen Französisch zu lernen und benutzt das Buch Chapeau A1 vom Hueber Verlag? Wie funktioniert die interaktive Version?


r/French • • 15h ago

Pronunciation How much time would i need to be able to sound like a native?

0 Upvotes

Yeah so as the title says im wondering how much time is needed to be able to sound like an native, and is it late to start learning french at 19. Is it impossible or can it be done in like 5 years or so? Any advice or myb some hopeful message to see if i have any chance to do it?


r/French • • 16h ago

English native speaker

0 Upvotes

Hello I don't understand why I'm pronouncing french incorrectly...well I know why because I'm reading it like a native English speaker. Can someone give me a quick rundown on the rules of Reading French correct. I am new to learning French.

Thank you


r/French • • 16h ago

Word for "Striker" in French

0 Upvotes

I was wondering if there was a French equivalent to the American slang word for a stolen car, "striker"? A general google search has come up kinda short for any slang terms that aren't just Anglicisms, so does any such word actually exist in French slang?


r/French • • 1d ago

Vocabulary / word usage How to sound more fluent in a first job interview?

1 Upvotes

Im a student (b2 ish level) living in france and have an internship interview in a few days at a small company. It’s a zoom interview and im a bit nervous because ive never interviewed in french before, im more worried about the social etiquette rather than the content, and not sticking out like a sore thumb or being awkward haha. I’ve mainly just prepared a few answers for potential questions based on the company and what they do, but I want to know if there are general expressions or phrases that native speakers might use, such as to begin and end the interview and if there are any anglicisms to avoid that might make me seem like I don’t speak french at all (for example sometimes i say things that seem overly translated from english even though its not my first language either and makes people think my level is lower than it is). In such short notice i wont have a ton of time to prepare but mainly just want to note down some general tips. Can anyone suggest some good phrases to learn or how to prepare to sound more natural and fluent for a job interview ?


r/French • • 1d ago

En vs Un (pronunciation)

12 Upvotes

Is there a big difference between the way “en” and “un” are pronounced in French? I’m mostly struggling with saying “un” correctly cause it sounds so awkward to say.


r/French • • 1d ago

Comentant traduiriez vous "Thought terminating cliché" en Français?

0 Upvotes

Titre


r/French • • 1d ago

Study advice When will they stop repeating listening and reading questions in TCF Canada exam?

0 Upvotes

As we all know, reading and listening questions are still 100 percent repeated from past questions or mock 40 sets available everywhere online. Is TCF canada and TEF canada organisation that much lazy and slow they are still using same 40 sets in real exam? Why are they still not as vast as IELTS or other exams?

Students can either memorise or practice just these 40 mock tests and get easily c2 in both reading and listening while their listening and reading isn't even b1 level. And when they get A2 or b1 in speaking and writing (which is their real level) they start emailing centers that they are dissatisfied with results or putting blame on centers.

For both TEF canada and TCF canada it is happening. Same old questions since many years from 40 mock tests


r/French • • 1d ago

Grammar If French followed the same adjective ordering as in English, it would essentially be in the same category of languages as English(Germanic) despite being of a romance origin.

0 Upvotes

Think about it, All sentences in French would be translatable word by word if what I stated above held true. The gendered nouns and adjectives feel unique but they don't really render the language too different from English. Word compoundings are much rarer in French, but English could be made to work without them just like in French. Subjunctives are another distinctive element in French, but English also uses subjunctive in certain cases, it just doesn't have specific verb conjugations for them.

What do you think?


r/French • • 2d ago

Serait-il possible d'utiliser le pronom sujet personnel "on" de la même manière que "vous" et/ou "tu" ?

2 Upvotes

Pendant que je lisais un livre (Inch'Allah dimanche de Yamina Benguigui), j'ai remarqué que l'un des personnages utilise 'on' pour parler directement au personnage principal. On peut faire ça en français ? Il y a une nuance entre "on" et "vous"/"tu" dans ces contextes ?

Par exemple;

Qu'est-ce que vous allez acheter aujourd'hui ? -> Qu'est-ce qu'on va acheter aujourd'hui ?


r/French • • 1d ago

Study advice DELF B2 help required

0 Upvotes

Hey folks, just got my DELF B1 result last Monday and I scored an 80.5/100 with bare minimum preparation imo. Do you think that I can give DELF B2 in Mid December and score a minimum of 75/100? If so, can you please give me some solid tips to prepare for this exam by myself.

My struggle areas are spontaneous speaking (even coming up with ideas is hard for me) and I also find it hard to understand native french speakers when they’re speaking fast.

Any advice is appreciated :)


r/French • • 3d ago

Story Malgré les stéréotypes à leur sujet, les Français sont extrêmement polis

104 Upvotes

C'est facile à comprendre. Les Français sont tellement polis qu'ils s'attendent également que les autres le soient également. Si l'on est poli à leur égard, les Français le seront également à son égard.

N'oubliez pas de dire bonjour, merci, au revoir, s'il vous plaît, etc.. Bien que ce soient des mots trop simples, ils servent de base aux interactions en français.


r/French • • 2d ago

Vocabulary / word usage planches de bois ou des planches de culture ?

1 Upvotes

Je lisais le poème Le Départ de Max Jacob, mais j’ai un doute sur le sens du mot "planches", employé dans le premier vers de la cinquième strophe : "Adieu vergers, les caveaux et les planches". Sauriez-vous si ce mot désigne ici des planches de bois ou des planches de culture ? Je n'ai pu en trouver aucune trace sur Internet. Merci d'avance pour m'éclairer.


r/French • • 2d ago

Grammar Imperfect and Perfect

1 Upvotes

Hello I have been trying to figure this out. What is imperfect and perfect? im stuck on it for days now. also why does "Je voulais dire..." use imperfect?


r/French • • 3d ago

Vocabulary / word usage French speakers: which name sounds best for a couples’ drinking game?

3 Upvotes

Hi! I’m working on a drinking card game for couples. It’s called “Cheers, Babe!” in Germany and the UK, but I’d love some input from native French speakers on a French name.

I’m looking for something short, playful and a little flirty, without being too cheesy. These are the options:

  • Tchin-tchin, ma biche !
  • Santé, chéri(e) !
  • Tchin, mon amour !
  • Tchin-tchin, bébé !
  • Santé, mon amour !

Which would you choose? Do any sound awkward, old-fashioned or too literally translated from English?

Would keeping “Cheers, Babe!” work in France too, or would a French name feel more appealing?

Other suggestions are welcome. Thanks!


r/French • • 3d ago

Pronunciation How to Read French Poetry

2 Upvotes

Hi All, I'm trying to learn how to read french poetry, specially l'alexandrin.

I'll use Apparition by Stéphane Mallarmé as an example.

La lune s’attristait. Des séraphins en pleurs
Rêvant, l’archet aux doigts, dans le calme des fleurs
Vaporeuses, tiraient de mourantes violes
De blancs sanglots glissant sur l’azur des corolles.

I understand you should stress the 6th syllable and leave a slightly longer pause at the césure. Is it correct to pause at commas as well? i.e. after "Rêvant" and "Vaporeuses"?

Also, how should you flow from the end of the line to the beginning of the next line?

I understand there should be a stress on "fleurs". "Vaporeuses" is at the beginning of a new line and is describing fleurs - should this be read immediately after (with no stress)? It sounds weird to me putting a pause between "fleurs" and "vaporeuses".

Also, what kind of stress should there be on "s'attristait"? Should the tone rise or fall? Given that it's followed by a period.

Lastly, if you know of any resources where I can listen to correct poetry recitation please let me know! I've tried searching on youtube but it's often wrong.

Thanks!


r/French • • 3d ago

Proofreading / correction Native French speaker offering French lessons (Grammar, Writing & Speaking)

5 Upvotes

Bonjour everyone!

I am a native French speaker with a strong academic background in literature and science. I'm looking to help beginners and intermediate learners who want to improve their spoken and written French.

What I can help you with:

* Grammar & Conjugation explanations

* Writing correction & sentence building

* Conversation practice & pronunciation

Feel free to send me a private message (DM) if you're interested in scheduling a trial session!


r/French • • 4d ago

Study advice Can't believe I passed the DELF B2 exam! Need advice on what next!

10 Upvotes

So I took the test around three weeks ago and today I got the email... and I still can't believe how well I did. I didn't took any preparation classes or studied that formally, the only French lessons I took were those 4 or 5 years ago and irrc they were not even A2 level ones, and after that I stopped for a long time before recently sort of picking it up again and went on by myself because I developed an interest in French politics.

I am ofc absolutely thrilled and grateful but things are also kind of getting awkward. The thing is I did not expect this score AT ALL, my mindset when I signed up was literally to just give it a go and have fun and stop there. I didn't know anything about grading metrix and I honestly was expecting a score of around 10 for production écrite and production orale since I really know NOTHING about grammar and just went with my feelings...

So, I really need advice from you wonderful people! I kind of wanted to try and progress to C1 right now, but is it realistic if I don't want to sit down and study grammar and all that seriously? Because I'm afraid that if I take things too seriously I'd lose my passion, and I honestly don't know how much of what I did in B2 was luck because C1 seems to require writing even in the listening and reading tests. Like if I just want to watch the news and listen to radios and read books would progression be possible?

Thank you!!


r/French • • 4d ago

Vocabulary / word usage How do you say songbird in a feminine way? (If at all.)

9 Upvotes

So I'm writing a fantasy book, in which the main character uses french words fairly often (usually in the form of nicknames, terms of endearment, and curses/insults).

That brings us to the issue at hand. I want him to refer to his love interest as Songbird in french. I have found four options on google for this.

Oiseau Chanteur. L'Oiseau Chanteur. LOiseau Chanteuse.

Oiseau Chanteuse.

I would love some help here. Also I'm sorry if this is the wrong flair, seemed the best to me.

Thanks in Advance!


r/French • • 3d ago

Vocabulary / word usage Wicked in French unusual translation

1 Upvotes

I was trying to translate wicked, as in sinister/evil, into french but I kept getting "pervers". I translated pervers into French and was left with "pervert". Does pervers actually mean wicked in this sense and if not how would you correctly translate wicked?