Considering the rising number of candidates for its exams and tests in 2019, France Éducation international strives to constantly improve the DELF-DALF and the TCF.
Over 700,000 candidates in 2019
2019 was another record year for French as a foreign language certifications: more than 700,000 candidates have registered for the DILF, DELF, DALF exams and the TCF tests.
The "open to all" version of the DELF diploma still registers the largest number of candidates with 195,000 appliers. However, the "school" version of the diploma, which is aimed at students in secondary schools in France and around the world, is close behind the DELF “open to all” with a difference of only 30,000 candidates. Along with the DELF Junior and DELF Prim aimed at under 18 candidates, children and teenagers represent 61% of the total number of candidates over the year.
The “open to all” version of the TCF, just as the DELF, also remains the most successful version with nearly 75,000 candidates. However, the TCF sessions registering the fastest increase in candidates are the sessions organised for the application for a permanent residency in France, whether applying for the resident card in France (CRF) or the access to French nationality (ANF).
Pedagogical developments expected in DELF-DALF
Several projects were launched in 2019 to continue improving the DELF and DALF tests. 2020 is the year the examination centres and the candidates will witness the first changes.
The comprehension tests of the DELF “open to all”, DELF Junior and DELF School for A2, B1 and B2 levels have been adapted and consist now only of multiple choice questions. The reworked version of the exams will gradually appear in the sessions starting this year. The experiment is underway to apply the same process to A1 level exams of the DELF “open to all”, DELF Junior and DELF School from 2021.
The second major ongoing project is the revision of the evaluation grids of the DELF and DALF speaking and writing tests. The teams of France Éducation international will continue the reflection started in 2019 throughout the year. New experiments will be implemented in collaboration with volunteer examiners and markers from all around the world. The new evaluation grids will be available in 2021.
The success of the TCF Canada
Since January 1st 2019, TCF approved centres can organise so-called “TCF Canada” sessions to enable interested candidates to obtain a certificate of their French language level to show Canadian authorities as part of their immigrant visa application.
Throughout the year 2019, more and more TCF centres implemented the “Canada” version of the test, on paper and even more on computer. The number of registrations exceeded all France Éducation international’s as well as centres’ estimates, which had to widen the sessions schedule. In 2020, France Éducation international continues to support the approved centres to set up the TCF Canada and thus keep up with growing demand.
TCF ANF’s new formula
In accordance with government decrees, the TCF test for access to French nationality changes in 2020. From now on, candidates must take 4 compulsory tests: listening comprehension, reading comprehension, oral expression and written expression. The required level doesn’t change; candidates must qualify for a global B1 level.
The approved centres have received all the necessary information from France Éducation international to set up the extended test.