In this article, we’re here to explain everything there is to know about taking the DELF in Montreal.
Here we run through:
- What the DELF is and how to register
- Taking the DELF in Montreal
- How GlobalExam can help you to prepare for the test
If you’re considering registering for a DELF exam in Montreal, you’re in the right place!
What is the DELF?
The DELF (Diplôme d’études en langue française) certifies a person’s level in French. Issued by the French Ministry of Education, it is internationally recognized as an official certification of your comprehension and communication skills in French as a second language.
The DELF exam “tout public” is aimed at adults and is available from level A1 to B2, corresponding to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for language levels.
An A1 level in a language corresponds to someone who can understand everyday expressions and basic sentences and say simple things, such as introduce themself and ask questions. B1 is the first level that indicates an independent language user. At this level, you should be able to build some complex sentence structures, participate in conversations and give your opinion on everyday topics.
The DELF is designed to test your French level across four key skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
Can I take the DELF outside of France?
The DELF examination is now available in around 175 countries around the world, and Canada is one of them!
The DELF is designed for non-native French speakers to certify their level in the language. Anyone can register to take the exam and there are examination centers in every province in Canada and cities such as Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa.
How to register
To register for the DELF, you need to contact an accredited examination center. This could be a school, college, university or education academy, for example, and you can find one near you by searching online.
You’ll need to contact your local exam center directly in order to find out exactly how to register, but the usual registration process involves completing a simple form and paying a fee.
There are usually three examination sessions per year, in March, June and November, and registration takes place a few months before.
DELF Montreal examination centers
If you’ve decided to register for an exam, first you’ll need to identify an accredited examination center for the DELF Montreal. You can do this by searching online, but we’ve provided a starting point for you here:
McGill University
Address: 88 rue Sherbrooke West, Suite 1181, QC H3A 3R1
Contact: Verena Waterstradt ([email protected])
Once you’ve located an examination center near you, contact them to ask about taking a DELF test. Some centers only host exams for students already studying with them, whereas other institutions are open to external candidates.
How much does it cost?
The registration costs for the DELF exams are generally the same across all Canadian examination centers each year, with some variations depending on the level. You can use the following as a guide, but make sure to check with your examination center upon registering:
- A1 and A2 levels: $125 CAD
- B1 and B2 levels: $195 CAD
How is the DELF examined?
The DELF listening and reading tests are marked by trained examiners who work to a common grading system. The writing and speaking tests are graded by independent examiners, and each test score usually represents an average of the marks awarded by the two examiners.
The pass mark for all DELF tests is 50 out of a total of 100 marks, but you must score at least five out of 25 in each individual test to pass. Your grade and the breakdown are available one month after taking the test, although it can take several months to receive the official certificate of your pass.
Preparing for the test with GlobalExam
The GlobalExam e-learning platform is a great place to start for preparing for the exam. You can simply create a free account to access a huge library of learning resources, specifically tailored to the language, exam and level of your choice.
Our range of study sheets cover vocabulary, grammar and discussion topics, and you can use our handy search feature to find revision materials that focus on whatever skill you’re looking to strengthen, whether it’s prepositions, pronouns, or the passé composé…
Identifying your language level with an Assessment Test
When you register for a DELF exam, you can choose the test level to take. There is no obligation to begin at A1 and work up to B2. If you already have an intermediate level in French, you can take your first certification at B1 level, for example. But how do you know which level to begin with?
On GlobalExam, it’s free to take a French placement test and it only takes 20 minutes.
After creating an account, you can do a simple online test that will ask you to listen to audio clips and read short pieces of text before answering multiple-choice questions in order to evaluate your understanding.
What’s included with a paid subscription?
As the test gets closer, you might want to take advantage of our premium resources, including statistics and corrections, the chance to take the test under real exam conditions, and a personalized learning plan.
Tell GlobalExam the language, exam and level you’re preparing for, and we’ll organize the learning for you. With a custom study plan, we break down our learning resources and test materials into sections for you to work through step by step. With the help of a progress tracker, you can monitor where you are and how far you have to go before the big exam.
So, is DELF the exam for you? Start learning today and get ready for test day!