Background information: The CEFP 1 was established by the Alliance Française and is based on the Council of Europe's Waystage Level specification. Candidates should be able to communicate in a number of standard everyday situations. The exam focuses on reading, writing, listening, speaking and structural competence i.e. knowledge of grammar and vocabulary.

Test Sites / Results / Dates: The test can be taken monthly at the centres of the Alliance Française worldwide. Candidates either pass or fail and results are available within a month.

Background information: This certificate is part of The European Language Certificates scheme established by the German Adult Education Association. It is offered by all member organisations of the International Certificate Conference (ICC) and in licenced centres by the WBT Further Education Test Systems. The ICC is an international association of European adult education organisations. The European Language Certificates are graded either A2, B1 or B2. Examinations at the lowest level i.e. A2 are currently available for 10 languages, including French. The European Language Certificates are internationally recognised.

Test Site/s: The test can be taken at all language centres run by ICC members in Europe.

For further information please contact:

Background information: The CEFP 2 was established by the Alliance Française and is based on the Council of Europe's Threshold Level specification. Candidates should be able to deal with most everyday social / work situations. The exam focuses on reading, writing, listening, speaking and structural competence i.e. knowledge of grammar and vocabulary.

Test Sites / Results / Dates: The test can be taken monthly at the centres of the Alliance Française worldwide. Candidates either pass or fail and results are available within a month.

Background information: This certificate is part of The European Language Certificates scheme established by the German Adult Education Association. It is offered by all member organisations of the International Certificate Conference (ICC) and in licenced centres by the WBT Further Education Test Systems. The ICC is an international association of European adult education organisations. The European Language Certificates are graded either A2, B1 or B2. Examinations at level B1 are currently available for 8 languages, including French. The 3 hour examination comprises a written section (reading comprehension, listening comprehension and written expression) and an oral section.

Test Site/s: The test can be taken at all language centres run by ICC members in Europe.

For further information please contact:

Background information: The CPLF is the first of three certificates awarded by French universities and is authorised by the Ministry of Education. It is designed for foreign students hoping to gain entrance to French universities and involves both a written and oral element. The written exam focuses on dictation, grammar, vocabulary and regional studies, while the oral involves a discussion about a text.

Background information: The DL was established by the Alliance Française and is an intermediate language test approved by the French Ministry of Education. The exam focuses on reading, writing, listening, speaking and structural competence i.e. knowledge of grammar and vocabulary.

Test Sites / Results / Dates: The test can be taken during February, April, June, August, October and December at the centres of the Alliance Française worldwide. The passing grades are either 'very good', 'good' or 'fair' and results are available within a month.

Background information: The DALF is the second of two diplomas delivered in French as a Foreign Language by the French Ministry of National Education. It enables a student to enter any French university and assesses French language proficiency at an advanced level (usually reached after 900 hours of tuition). There are four sections to the DALF:

• B1 - written section - summary of a text and answering questions regarding that text
• B2 - oral section - listening to a short text on tape followed by a discussion with examiners
• B3 - written section - summary and answering questions regarding a text dealing with a specific subject chosen by the candidate
• B4 - oral section - speech and discussion of a specific subject chosen by the candidate.

Test Site/s: The test can be taken at various locations worldwide.

Background information: The DEF is the mid-level certificate of the three diplomas awarded by French universities authorised by the Ministry of Education. It was designed for foreign students hoping to gain entrance to a French university and may only be attempted after passing the Certificat pratique de langue française / CPLF (Level 1) or similar. Both general and specific language skills are tested. The written examination involves the translation of a topic from French into the student’s native tongue, while the oral exam focuses on grammar, texts and interpretation of literature-related topics.

For further information please contact:

Background information: The DS was established by the Alliance Française and is approved of by the French Ministry of Education. The DS tests linguistic ability at an advanced level, across various disciplines:

• Reading and writing
• Listening and speaking
• Structural competence (knowledge of grammar and vocabulary)
• Preparing a resumé.

Test Sites / Results / Dates: The test can be taken during April, June and December at worldwide centres of the Alliance Française. The passing grades are either 'very good', 'good' or 'fair' and results are available within a month.

Background information: The DHEF was established by the Alliance Française and is approved by the French Ministry of Education. The DHEF tests linguistic ability at a very advanced level, across various disciplines:

• Reading and writing
• Listening and speaking
• Structural competence (knowledge of grammar and vocabulary)
• Dictation and a resumé. In addition, candidates will be examined on issues surrounding cultural or literary topics.

The DHEF is accepted by several countries as French teaching qualification.

Test Sites / Results / Dates: The test can be taken during April, June and December at worldwide centres of the Alliance Française. The passing grades are either 'very good', 'good' or 'fair' and results are available within a month.

Background information: The DSEF is the highest level diploma that can be achieved and is accepted by all French universities. Candidates attempting this examination will need to be fluent at all levels. The exam comprises:

• Written translations into / from French into the student’s native language.
• A summary and discussion of a particular text (part of the first year university program) viz. ‘Lettres Modernes de la faculté des lettres et sciences humaines’.
• An oral examination that focuses on grammar, texts and interpretation, as well as French literature from 1715 to date.

Background information: The DELF is the first of two diplomas delivered in French as a Foreign Language by the French Ministry of National Education.

It comprises six units, each one corresponding to an aspect of communication (they are not rated in order of ascending difficulty). The first four units may be taken separately, but students must pass units A1 to A4 (DELF Stage 1) before attempting A5 and A6 i.e. DELF Stage 2. The six units are described as follows:

• A1 - general expression
• A2 - expression of ideas and feelings
• A3 - text and written expression
• A4 - application of language skills
• A5 - culture and regional studies
• A6 - French for Specific Purposes.

The DELF is internationally recognised and may be taken at various locations worldwide.

Background information: The TEF was established by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and is neither a certificate nor diploma, but rather an affirmation that the student possesses the necessary language skills for educational / professional purposes. The examination focuses on oral comprehension, written comprehension and structure / vocabulary. Two further options are possible i.e. written expression and oral expression.

Background information: The UNIcert certificates were established by the AKS Arbeitskreis der Sprachzentren, Sprachlehrinstitute und Fremdp-

spracheninstitute (Assoc. of Language Teaching Centres in Germany).

UNIcert was devised by German universities with a view to standardising the grades awarded for various levels of modern language competence. Member institutions of the UNIcert system devise their own specific courses and exam regulations based on UNIcert guidelines. The exams are available at four levels i.e. I (elementary); II (intermediate); III (advanced intermediate) and IV (advanced / native speaker level).

Background information: This diploma was established by the Alliance Française and is approved by the French Ministry of Education.

The following are listed according to level of difficulty:

Background information: This certificate is part of The European Language Certificates scheme established by the German Adult Education Association and is offered by all member organisations of the International Certificate Conference (ICC) and in licensed centres by the WBT Further Education Test Systems. The ICC is an international association of European adult education organisations. The European Language Certificates are available at three levels i.e. A2, B1 and B2. The examination assesses the candidate's proficiency in Business French at an elementary level.

Test Site/s: This test can be taken at all language centres run by ICC members in Europe.

Background information: The CFJ was established by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and certifies the student’s language ability concerning general legal issues. Candidates must be able to understand and employ technical terms, as well as understand / write texts dealing with legal affairs. A basic knowledge of French and European law is required.

Test Site/s: The CFJ can be taken at various locations throughout the world, including French cultural institutes; Alliance Française institutes; private or public universities and schools; language centres and education centres.

Background information: The CFS was established by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and certifies the student’s language ability in terms of working in an office environment e.g. dealing with documents / correspondence; welcoming French-speaking visitors, etc. Candidates should possess a basic knowledge of how organisations are structured.

Test Site/s: The CFS can be taken at various locations throughout the world, including French cultural institutes; Alliance Française institutes; private or public universities and schools; language centres and education centres.

Background information: The CFST was established by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and certifies the student’s language ability in the fields of science and technology. Candidates should be capable of understanding scientific magazines, reading instructions and discussing relevant scientific issues.

Test Site/s: The CFST can be taken at various locations throughout the world, including French cultural institutes; Alliance Française institutes; private or public universities and schools; language centres and education centres.

Background information: The CFTH was established by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and certifies the student’s language ability / professional know-how in terms of tourism, the hotel business and gastronomy. Students will be required to deal with issues like welcoming / informing guests, making reservations, etc. In addition, a basic knowledge of socio-economic and cultural issues is required.

Test Site/s: The CFTH can be taken at various locations throughout the world, including French cultural institutes; Alliance Française institutes; private or public universities and schools; language centres and education centres.

Background information: The CPFCE was established by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and certifies the student’s knowledge of colloquial / business French. Students will be required to understand newspaper articles concerning general socio-economic issues; translate from their native tongue into French; correspond in French and deal with forms and documents.

Test Site/s: The CPFCE can be taken at various locations throughout the world, including French cultural institutes; Alliance Française institutes; private or public universities and schools; language centres and education centres.

Background information: The DSFA was established by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and certifies the student’s advanced-intermediate ability in terms of Business French (including various economic and commercial areas). The student should be capable of understanding business documents; give speeches on economic subjects and translate texts dealing with socio-economic issues. Moreover, students will need to be conversant with French economic / social issues and its domestic / international economic status.

Test Site/s: The DSFA can be taken at various locations throughout the world, including French cultural institutes; Alliance Française institutes; private or public universities and schools; language centres and education centres.

Background information: The DAFA was established by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and is available to those who have passed the DSFA (Diplôme supérieur de français des affaires). Examinees should be conversant with complex socio-economic and commercial issues.

Test Site/s: The DAFA can be taken at various locations throughout the world, including French cultural institutes; Alliance Française institutes; private or public universities and schools; language centres and education centres.

Background information: The DSEC was established by the Alliance Française and is approved by the French Ministry of Education. This advanced diploma tests the candidate’s ability to communicate at the highest level in a business / professional context. The exam comprises: structure (grammar and vocabulary); knowledge of specialist terms; being able to understand / draft texts; oral comprehension and production.

Test Sites / Results / Dates: Passing grades are either 'very good', 'good' or 'fair'. Test may be taken in March, June, August and December.

Background information: BULATS was developed in cooperation with UCLES;

the Alliance Française; the WBT Weiterbildungs-Testsysteme GmbH (formerly Prüfungszentrale des Deutschen Volkshochschul-Verbands/DVV); the Universidad de Salamanca and the Instituto Cervantes. The testing service is currently available in English, French, German and Spanish. It is used by organisations to test the language proficiency of employees / job applicants in a business / professional context. The BULATS comprise several tests that can be taken separately or in combination:

• The Standard BULATS Test, testing overall language ability.
• The BULATS Speaking Test which tests verbal skills on a one-to-one basis with the examiner.
• The BULATS Written Test.

Test Sites / Results / Dates: Test sites / dates are arranged individually. Identical tests are used for all candidates, independent of individual ability. Results are available as group reports; candidates are rated at five levels, based on the ALTE Framework i.e. Level 1 (elementary); Level 2 (lower intermediate); Level 3 (upper intermediate); Level 4 (lower advanced) and Level 5 (upper advanced). BULATS does not award certificates.

Alliance Française
101, Bd Raspail
75270 Paris Cedex 06
France
Tel.: +33-1-45 44 38 28
Fax: +33-1-45 49 15 82
E-mail: info@paris.alliancefrancaise.fr

Background information: Euroqualifications were established by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Examinations Board (LCCIEB). It is a group of bilingual certificates designed for those entering the European business arena. The examinations test linguistic / practical business skills and the student’s knowledge of the structure and activities of the European Union. They are available at three levels in English, French, German and Spanish. Candidates receive a certificate upon completing each level (each comprising a series of individual examinations):

• Commercial Language Assistant Certificate (CLAC / 1st level)
• European Executive Assistant Certificate (EEAC / 2nd level)
• Diploma in European Business Administration (DEBA / 3rd level).

Students should note that the abovementioned certificates can only be achieved if the individual examinations required for each level are passed within a five year period.

Test Sites / Results / Dates: Tests can be taken at any recognised LCCIEB examination centre. The tests are offered on both a timetable and demand basis.

London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Examinations Board
Station Road
Marlowe House
Sidcup, Kent DA15 7BJ
United Kingdom
Tel.: +44-181-302 4160
Fax: +44-181-309 5169