DELF and DALF · Diplomas, valid for life
DELF and DALF, and the CEFR levels
The lifelong French diplomas, issued by France Éducation international, for the French Ministry of National Education. Here is what each level means, why they never expire, and why they suit students in Ethiopia.
Diplomas, not tests
Official diplomas of French. Unlike the TEF and TCF, they are valid for life and never expire. Each diploma certifies one CEFR level and tests all four skills.
Every DELF and DALF tests listening, reading, writing and speaking. Valid for life. The diplomas never expire.
The CEFR levels in depth
Each DELF or DALF diploma certifies one CEFR level. Here is the full scale, the anchor for every French exam.
| Level | Diploma | Band | Can do |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | DELF | Basic user | Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases for concrete needs. |
| A2 | DELF | Basic user | Can understand sentences and common expressions about immediate areas like shopping, family and work. |
| B1 | DELF | Independent user | Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters met at school, work and leisure. |
| B2 | DELF | Independent user | Can understand the main ideas of complex text on concrete and abstract topics, including in a field of specialisation. |
| C1 | DALF | Proficient user | Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts and recognise implicit meaning. |
| C2 | DALF | Proficient user | Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. |
Descriptors from the Council of Europe global scale.
DELF, DALF and French university
A DELF B2 or a DALF (C1 or C2) exempts you from the language test when applying to the first year of a French undergraduate programme through the DAP procedure, so it can replace the TCF DAP.
The versions, and who they are for
| Version | Who it is for |
|---|---|
| DELF Prim | Younger children (roughly ages 7 to 12). |
| DELF junior / scolaire | Secondary-school students. The natural fit for Grade 9 to 12, building toward DELF B2. |
| DELF tout public | The general-public version (A1 to B2). |
| DALF (C1, C2) | Advanced proficiency, often for postgraduate study or teaching. |
For Grade 9 to 12, the route is DELF junior/scolaire, building to DELF B2.
Taking DELF and DALF in Ethiopia
DELF and DALF, including the junior and scolaire diplomas, are sat at the Alliance Éthio-Française d’Addis-Abeba. This makes the lifelong diploma route especially practical for students in Ethiopia.
Register through the Alliance, or read our Ethiopia guide.
How the course prepares you
12 weeks, self-paced, about 96 hours in total, built around the CEFR and aiming at a DELF B2 diploma, with AI feedback on every writing and speaking task.
Start on TelegramDELF and DALF FAQ
What is the difference between DELF and DALF?
Both are official French diplomas issued by France Education international. DELF (Diplome d’etudes en langue francaise) covers the lower four CEFR levels, A1 to B2. DALF (Diplome approfondi de langue francaise) covers the two highest, C1 and C2. Each diploma certifies one level and tests all four skills.
Do DELF and DALF expire?
Valid for life. The diplomas never expire. This is the big advantage over the TEF and TCF, whose results expire after two years.
Can a DELF or DALF replace the TCF for French university?
A DELF B2 or a DALF (C1 or C2) exempts you from the language test when applying to the first year of a French undergraduate programme through the DAP procedure, so it can replace the TCF DAP.
Which DELF should a school student take?
For Grade 9 to 12, the DELF junior or scolaire is the natural track. The content is the same as the standard DELF; the name just depends on where it is sat. Build toward DELF B2, the level most French universities want.
Can I sit DELF and DALF in Ethiopia?
Yes. The DELF (A1 to B2), DALF (C1, C2), and the junior, scolaire and Prim versions are sat at the Alliance Ethio-Francaise d’Addis-Abeba, the accredited official centre. This makes the diploma route especially practical for students in Ethiopia.