Student preparing for the DELF and DALF exams online with a Live French teacher
3000+ French learners Teaching since 2007 4.9/5 on Google Taught by accredited DELF-DALF examiners Free trial, no credit card

Preparing for a French exam is not the same as learning French in general. It calls for the right method, timed practice, and someone who knows exactly what the examiners are looking for. At Live French, several of our teachers are accredited DELF-DALF examiners, so you train with people who mark the real exams.

We prepare, one to one by Zoom: students sitting the DELF B2 for university admission  |  expats who need A2, B1 or B2 for a French residence permit or naturalisation  |  professionals proving their level for a job in France or Canada  |  candidates for Canadian or Quebec immigration taking the TCF or TEF.

DELF, DALF, TCF or TEF: which French exam do you need?

The four main French certifications test the same language, but they are built for different goals. Diplomas (DELF and DALF) never expire; tests (TCF and TEF) give a score valid for about two years. Here is how they compare.

Exam Levels Format Validity Best for
DELF A1 to B2 Paper based, pass or fail at one chosen level Lifelong University admission, proof of level, Quebec immigration, French residence permit and naturalisation
DALF C1 to C2 Paper based, pass or fail at one chosen level Lifelong Grandes ecoles, advanced academic and professional French, French naturalisation
TCF A1 to C2 (scored) Computer based, gives a score on a scale ~2 years University access (TCF), French residence and naturalisation (TCF IRN), Quebec (TCF Quebec)
TEF A1 to C2 (scored) Computer based, gives a score on a scale ~2 years Canadian immigration (TEF Canada), Quebec (TEFAQ), work abroad

Sources: France Education international (DELF, DALF, TCF) and CCI Paris Ile-de-France (TEF). Always confirm the current format and score thresholds on the official site before you register.

New for 2026: French residence and citizenship language levels

Since January 2026, France asks for a higher, certified level of French, plus a civic exam, for many residence and citizenship applications:

  • A2 for a multi-year residence permit (carte de sejour pluriannuelle)
  • B1 for the resident card (carte de resident, 10 years)
  • B2 for French nationality (naturalisation)

A DELF or DALF diploma, or a TCF IRN result, is accepted as proof. We help you target the exact level your application needs, so you do not over-prepare or fall short.

How your French exam preparation works

Every DELF, DALF, TCF and TEF exam tests the same four skills. Your lessons cover each one, with the methods and timing the real exam demands:

  • Listening comprehension: exercises that build your ability to follow French speakers at exam speed.
  • Reading comprehension: a range of written material to sharpen your understanding of written French.
  • Writing: structured essays and letters, corrected and reworked with your teacher.
  • Speaking: the interview and role-play tasks, rehearsed until they feel natural.

Your first lessons set the strategy

  1. The first sessions establish your level, confirm which exam and level to sit, and pinpoint your strengths and weak spots.
  2. We agree on a strategy and a realistic timeline, and focus most of the lessons on timed exam tasks with feedback.
  3. If grammar or vocabulary is holding you back, part of the lesson is set aside for it. Your teacher shares scoring tips, key phrases, and the traps to avoid.

You can prepare the whole exam or concentrate on one or two sections, such as the writing or the speaking. We usually follow one exam-prep book, which you buy separately, and add plenty of our own resources.

Train with a teacher who marks the real French exams.

Book your free trial lesson One-to-one by Zoom. No credit card required.

Meet Violaine, our DELF-DALF examiner

Violaine has taught French with Live French for many years and is an accredited DELF-DALF teacher and examiner. She follows every change to the exams and their requirements closely. In this interview (in French), she explains what you should know before you sign up for a French exam.

Go further before you choose a French exam

Not sure an exam is right for you, or which level to sit? These guides help you decide:

Not sure of your level yet? Take the free French level test, meet our native French teachers, or explore business French if you need it for work.

French exam preparation: frequently asked questions

Which French exam do I actually need?
It depends on your goal. For university admission in France, most programmes ask for DELF B2 and grandes ecoles often want DALF C1. For French residence or citizenship, a DELF or DALF diploma or the TCF IRN is accepted. For Canadian immigration, only TEF Canada or TCF Canada count. For Quebec, DELF B2, DALF, TEFAQ or TCF Quebec are accepted. In your first lesson we help you choose the right one.
What French level do I need for a residence permit or naturalisation in 2026?
Since January 2026: A2 for a multi-year residence permit, B1 for the 10-year resident card, and B2 for naturalisation. A civic exam is now required too. A DELF, DALF or TCF IRN certificate proves your level. We prepare you for the exact level your file needs.
How long does it take to prepare for the DELF B2?
If you are already around B1, most learners need three to six months with two lessons a week, plus homework, to be exam ready at B2. The exact timeline depends on your starting level and how much you practise between lessons. Your first sessions give you a realistic estimate.
Are the DELF and DALF valid for life?
Yes. DELF and DALF are diplomas, so once you pass a level you hold it permanently. The TCF and TEF are tests: they give a score that is generally valid for about two years, after which you retake them if you still need a valid result.
Can I prepare for just one part, like the speaking or the writing?
Yes. Many learners pass three sections comfortably but need work on one, most often the writing or the speaking. We can focus the whole course on the section you find hardest.
Do you prepare for the TCF and TEF, not only DELF and DALF?
Yes. We prepare all four, including the computer-based TCF and TEF and their immigration versions (TCF IRN, TCF Canada, TCF Quebec, TEF Canada, TEFAQ). The skills overlap, but each exam has its own format and timing, which we drill specifically.
Are your teachers accredited examiners?
Several of our native French teachers are accredited DELF-DALF examiners, so they know the marking grids from the inside and can tell you precisely how to gain points.
How are the lessons delivered?
One to one, by Zoom or Google Meet, with a real teacher and a schedule that fits yours. You can start with a free trial lesson, no credit card required.

Ready to get the score you need?

Start with a free trial lesson Since 2007, Live French has helped thousands of learners pass their French exams.

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