Journal
Exam strategy and marking insight, newest first. Filter by level, or just keep reading.
A1 is the level of prepared, concrete language: introducing yourself, naming what is around you, answering direct questions. Here is what the descriptor really promises, and what it quietly assumes about the person you are speaking to.
A2 is the point where you stop reciting phrases and start exchanging information. Here is what separates it from A1, what it officially unlocks in France since January 2026, and how to check whether you are there.
Same format, same timings, same scoring, same diploma. Only the topics change. Here is what the junior and scolaire versions really are, and why the difference between them is administrative rather than academic.
B1 is the point where you stop needing people to slow down for you. Here is what changes between A2 and B1, what B1 officially qualifies you for, and how to tell whether you are there.
B2 is the level where you stop rehearsing sentences and start defending a position. Here is what the descriptor means in practice, and the three things B2 still does not give you.
A roundup of the real DELF B2 preparation books worth buying, what each one is actually good for, and the free resources that work alongside them.
Linking words are not decoration. In DELF writing and speaking, they are scored directly under coherence and cohesion. Here is the full categorised list, with glosses and example sentences.
Seeing a strong DELF B2 production écrite is one thing. Understanding why it scores well against each criterion is another. Here is a model 250-word response with a criterion-by-criterion breakdown.
A section-by-section, week-by-week plan for preparing the DELF B2 on your own, including where most candidates lose points and how to not be one of them.
The DELF B2 production écrite is 60 minutes, one text, four criteria. Most candidates lose points on the same avoidable mistakes. Here is the method that addresses each one.
Since January 1, 2026, French naturalisation requires B2 in both oral and written French. DELF B2 is one of the accepted proofs. Here is what you need to know.
DELF and DALF are the same diploma family, but they cover different halves of the CEFR scale. Here is how to know which one applies to your situation.
DELF is a permanent diploma. TCF is a timed certificate valid for two years. Your goal, not your level, determines which one you need.
Every point in the DELF B2 speaking section maps to a specific criterion. Knowing what the examiner is looking for changes how you prepare and how you perform.
The DELF B2 is genuinely challenging, but its difficulty is specific and learnable. Here is exactly what makes it hard, what makes it manageable, and how to approach each section.
The honest answer is 500 to 600 hours of study, but that number hides a lot of variation. Here is how to think about your own timeline.
DELF registration does not happen through a central website. You find an accredited centre near you, pick a session, and register directly with them. Here is how the process works.
The B1 speaking test gives you ten minutes to prepare and three to present. Most candidates fill the time. Few lead the listener from problem to position to conclusion.
The B2 reading paper is less about vocabulary than about triage. Knowing which words to ignore is what buys you time to check the rest.
A2 writing splits into écriture (13 points) and interaction (12 points). They look similar but reward different things. Knowing the difference before you sit down matters.