OCDSB GRADE 12 FRENCH PROFICIENCY Information for Students Taking the DELF

(Diplôme d’études en langue française)

2019–2020

HOW TO SELECT A DELF TEST LEVELOf students surveyed following the Fall 2018 DELF administration, 39% found it difficult to choose which DELF level to challenge. “The hardest part was choosing which level to challenge because there is such a big difference between B1 and B2.”

The OCDSB offers its students a choice of 3 test levels: A2 (least difficult), B1, or B2 (most difficult). Students are encouraged to seek input from their FSL teacher, but are ultimately responsible for choosing their own DELF test level. To help make this easier, links to test samples provided by France Éducation international (previously CIEP) can be accessed on the official DELF-DALF Canada website: http://delf-dalf.ambafrance-ca.org/sample-subjects

*COMING SOON* Additional resources to help choose your DELF level and prepare for your test will soon be available on our board website: goo.gl/C47xpK

FOR FURTHER INFORMATIONIf you have any questions related to DELF registration, please contact delftesting@ocdsb.ca.

HOW DO STUDENTS SIGN UP?Participation is voluntary, but a limited number of spaces are available. To secure your opportunity to challenge the DELF, you must:

STEP 1: Complete the online registration form at goo.gl/C47xpK (@ocdsb.ca student login required); and

STEP 2: Sign-up for an oral interview at the DELF Level you wish to challenge.

Note: Instructions for signing-up for an oral interview are provided during the online registration process.

Both steps must be completed no later than March 17, 2020. Failure to do so may result in your withdrawal, despite eligibility.

Confirmation of participation will be sent to the secure @ocdsb.ca student email account used at the time of registration by March 19, 2020.

Please note that student results may be used anonymously by the District for planning purposes and to refine Board objectives. Individual student results are not shared with schools.

Published by Communications and Information Services in collaboration with the Research, Evaluation & Analytics

Division and Program and Learning — February 2020

133 Greenbank Road • Ottawa, ON K2H 6L3 • Phone: 613-721-1820 Fax: 613-820-6968 • Website: www.ocdsb.ca

WHAT IS THE DELF?The Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF) is an internationally recognized test of French proficiency. It is based on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), which defines language proficiency along six global levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. At each level, proficiency is measured across four competencies: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The French Ministry of National Education awards successful candidates a diploma.

WHO CAN TAKE THE DELF?Only students currently enrolled in a Grade 12 FSL course this semester, who have not written the DELF before.

WHAT IS REQUIRED?The OCDSB offers students a choice of 3 test levels: A2, B1, or B2. Your choice should be made with help from your FSL teacher. The DELF has 2 components:

• a written exam — where possible, the written exam will take place at your school.

• an oral interview — the oral interview will be scheduled at one of two testing sites across the District within 3 weeks of completion of the written exam.

Test Level Date of Written Exam Time

B2 (most difficult) Monday April 6 12:00 p.m.

B1 Tuesday April 7 12:00 p.m.

A2 (least difficult) Wednesday April 8 12:00 p.m.

Note: Transportation to and from the oral interview testing site is the responsibility of the student.

SUCCESS RATEOverall student performance on the DELF has remained consistent with each administration:

2016–2017: 1,354 of 1,455 (93.1%) were successful 2017–2018: 1,451 of 1,550 (93.6%) were successful 2018-2019: 1,532 of 1,591 (96.3%) were successful

STUDENT VOICES

Benefits of Participating• To gain knowledge about my French skills.• It is internationally recognized.• It is a positive experience with no downside.• It is a fair measure of my French proficiency.

How Can I Prepare?Advice from students reflecting on their [Fall 2018] DELF experience:

Practice! Be prepared.

• Listen to authentic French speakers in public, French radio, watch French TV shows, and find more ways to apply what you learn in the classroom to your everyday life.

• Practice orally with a bilingual partner, in order to ensure confidence and fluency on the spot when being tested.

• Do more scenarios, use websites with sample DELF practices.

Relax! Be confident.

• The more relaxed I was the easier it was to speak French fluently and easily communicate my ideas.

• Slow down and take my time with the writing and reading portions as well.

• Challenge yourself and have more confidence in yourself.

• The oral interview is going to be very awkward at first by you can get through it.

• You’re smarter than you think and they are not there to judge you. They want you to pass just as much as you do.

• The examiners were very supporting and kind and made the somewhat stressful test much more comfortable.

It can potentially benefit students looking for employment in the

future, and is just a great way to test your skill levels in French without paying

for anything.

It was validating after taking French in school for so many years

You have nothing to lose-there is no cost or impact on your grades

It is beneficial on a resume, potentially separating you from other applicants