Diplôme de Langue Française (DL)

This is an examination at an intermediate level, requiring competence in all the language skills. It is recognised abroad as proof of language ability and is part of the qualification required in order for Portuguese nationals to teach French in Portugal. In Switzerland it is recognised as proof of the ability to do clerical work. This diploma is endorsed by the French Ministry of Education.

There are five components:

Reading

Candidates are expected to read semi-authentic non-fictional texts of general interest and show understanding of gist as well as of specific details. They must be able to understand the authors point of view. Texts are taken from newspapers, magazines or books.

There are two sections. In the first section, candidates must demonstrate understanding of an authentic text. Items are of the following types: true/false, multiple-choice, open cloze, matching, rephrasing. In the second section, candidates are expected to find a structure of a text by classifying ideas, paragraphs.

These two components last one hour.

Writing

Candidates are expected to report events and express opinions or feelings on a general topic.

There are two tasks. The candidate is required to write a formal letter concerning an announce (professional, tourism, administrativ context) to present itself and ask for information (30mn). In the second task, candidates have to write a composition explaining their point of vue with justification and argumentation (45mn).

Spelling in the composition is tested. This task lasts 1h15.

Listening

First, candidates are expected to understand a recorded text of general interest. They must be able to understand the gist as well as specific details and to appreciate the point of view of the speaker(s). There is usually an interview with ten true/false questions.

In the second task, they have to understand information (specific details of each one) with MCQ of three options.

The task lasts thirty minutes.

Speaking

Candidates are tested individually. They must be able to explain, rephrase and give opinions, demonstrating an ability to speak with correct pronunciation, fluency and accuracy. They must be able to express their likes and dislikes in conversational French.

There are two tasks. For the first one, candidates comment on a photograph, a cartoon or a picture. For the second task, they must comment on and react to a polemic sentence on a general topic. They are then required to discuss it with the examiner and defend their point of view.

The two tasks last fifteen minutes.

Structural Competence

Candidates are expected to demonstrate an intermediate level of knowledge and control of the language system. There is one section on vocabulary and one on grammar (morphology and syntax) with different tasks. The items are of the following types: synonyms and antonyms, matching, word error detection, gap-filling with multiple-choice, cloze text, rephrasing, transformation or lexical derivation items.

This component lasts forty-five minutes.

Weighting of components

Each of the five components carries 20% of the total marks.

Results

There are three pass grades: Très Bien (Very Good), Bien (Good), and Assez Bien (Fair). Certificates are awarded to all successful candidates.