France’s official French diploma,
prepared by the people who grade it.
A credential that never expires, recognised in 170+ countries.
One-on-one online DELF preparation with certified educators, some of them active DELF examiners. Built around every component, at every level from A1.1 to B2.
The most valuable French credential your child can earn
The DELF, Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française, is issued by the French Ministry of National Education. It is the most widely recognised official certificate of French proficiency, accepted by universities, employers, and immigration bodies in more than 170 countries.
Unlike a report card grade, the DELF is permanent and portable. It never expires. A B2 earned at 16 is still valid and recognised at 26 or 36. It carries the weight of a French government diploma, not a private school’s certificate.
For students in French Immersion, core FSL, or any child learning French seriously, it is clear proof of where they actually stand, in a form any admissions office or employer can read at a glance.
Recognised in 170+ countries
Accepted by universities, employers, and immigration authorities, including Canadian, American, European, and French institutions.
Issued by the French Ministry
Not a private certificate. An official government diploma from France’s Ministry of National Education.
It never expires
A DELF earned today is valid for life. No renewal, no expiry. Your child carries it through school and career.
Weight on a university file
A B1 or B2 on an application is objective, internationally standardised proof of French that admissions offices trust.
Prepared by people who grade the exam
Most French tutors know the DELF exists. Some have sat it. A few of our educators have examined it, scoring oral productions against the official grids that decide who passes.
They know the marking grids
Our examiner educators prepare your child against the same official rubrics used on exam day, so the assessment matches the real thing.
They know where candidates lose points
The note éliminatoire, a low score in any one skill, is where most unprepared candidates are caught. They target those skills early.
They know what examiners listen for
In the oral component, scoring is specific. Your child trains for that exact interaction, not just open-ended speaking practice.
Insider knowledge, one-on-one
Ontario Certified Teachers, DELF examiners, and Master’s-level educators. The kind of preparation a generic tutor can’t offer, matched to your child.
Meet our French educatorsDELF Prim and DELF Scolaire, explained
Both are official French Ministry diplomas testing the same four skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The difference is age group and the topics used. Same recognition, different candidate.
A first official French diploma, age-appropriate and a real confidence milestone for elementary learners in FSL and immersion.
- A1.1Introductory FrenchFirst words, greetings, simple everyday phrases. Suited to early immersion or FSL beginners with 1 to 2 years of French.
- A1BeginnerSimple interactions and familiar topics. Grade 2 to 4 immersion, or 2 to 3 years of FSL.
- A2ElementaryRoutine exchanges and immediate surroundings. Grade 4 to 6 immersion or strong FSL students.
The credential that turns a high-school French record into a clear point of difference on a university file, adapted to teenage topics.
- A1BeginnerFor students new to French or in early secondary FSL. A foundation and a first formal credential.
- A2ElementaryEveryday communication in familiar contexts. Core FSL Grade 9 to 10 or mid-level immersion.
- B1Intermediate, the key thresholdIndependent user, handling most everyday situations. A strong university application credential.
- B2Upper intermediateFluent and academically capable. Opens doors to French-language university programs.
Four skills, 25 points each, one rule that catches people
Every DELF exam tests the same four skills. Knowing what each component asks for, and how it is scored, is the foundation of useful preparation.
Compréhension de l’oral
Listening comprehension
Recorded French: conversations, announcements, short interviews. Your child answers comprehension questions. Tests understanding of authentic spoken French at the right pace.
25 pointsCompréhension des écrits
Reading comprehension
Authentic documents: signs, letters, articles, short texts, with questions that show understanding. Tests vocabulary, reading speed, and finding specific information.
25 pointsProduction écrite
Written production
Writing French to a prompt: a message, letter, or short argument. Marked on relevance, vocabulary range, accuracy, and coherence. Often the hardest part for immersion students.
25 pointsProduction orale
Oral production
A live exchange with an examiner: a monologue, interview, or role-play by level. Marked on fluency, pronunciation, vocabulary, accuracy, and getting the message across.
25 pointsThe rule that catches unprepared candidates
The pass mark is 50 out of 100. But there is a second requirement: at least 5 out of 25 in every skill. A candidate who scores 24/25 on three components and 4/25 on the fourth fails the whole exam, even with a total well above 50. This is the note éliminatoire, and it is how most underprepared candidates fall. Our preparation finds weak skills early so no single component sinks the result.
How we prepare students
Exam preparation is not the same as general French teaching. It needs the exam format, the marking grids, and the patterns that produce consistent results. Here is how we work.
Book a 30-Minute Assessment
A certified educator checks your child’s CEFR level across all four skills first. That tells us which DELF level is realistic and where the most work is needed. Registering at the wrong level is a common mistake we head off.
Free · 20–30 minutesMock components, marked to grid
We run each component on official-format materials and mark your child’s written and oral work the way an examiner would. They learn where points slip before it counts.
Real marking gridsTarget the note éliminatoire
We find which skills risk falling below 5/25 early, usually writing or speaking for immersion students, and give them intensive attention so nothing becomes a liability.
No hidden weak spotsOral production strategy
The oral is scored on lexical range, accuracy, fluency, coherence, and task completion. We train each one: how to structure a monologue, manage the examiner exchange, and recover from a slip.
Examiner-level coachingWritten structure and precision
Writing is where range and accuracy show most. We teach the frameworks examiners reward at each level: how to open and close, develop an argument, and vary sentences. Teach and apply, not just correct.
Level-specific frameworksA full timed mock
In the final weeks, your child sits a full mock under exam conditions, scored on the official grids. The exam-day surprise is gone: they have done it once and know where they stand.
Official conditionsA typical 12-week DELF path
Most students prepare over 8 to 16 weeks, depending on starting level and exam date. Here is what a focused 12-week plan looks like with Inspire.
Weeks 1–2 · Map the starting point
Assessment and gap mapping
Free assessment to confirm CEFR level, a component-by-component audit, and the note éliminatoire risks identified. We build the plan from there.
CEFR check · skills auditWeeks 3–5 · Build the base
Foundation and weak-skill priority
Intensive work on the weakest components, grammar and vocabulary for the target level, and component techniques introduced across all four skills.
Grammar · vocabulary · techniqueWeeks 6–8 · Practise and mark
Component drills and examiner marking
Each component practised with official materials. Written work marked to the official grids; oral production rehearsed and scored with examiner feedback.
Official materials · marked to gridWeeks 9–10 · Sharpen technique
Strategy refinement
Exam technique and timing. Oral management: how to structure, recover, and show range. Written frameworks reviewed and tightened.
Timing · exam techniqueWeeks 11–12 · Rehearse the real thing
Full mock and final prep
A full timed mock under official conditions, scored on the official grids. Final drilling on any remaining weak areas, plus an exam-day briefing.
Full mock · score reportBook a 30-minute assessment
A bilingual Inspire educator meets with your child, listens carefully, and sends you a written report — no ongoing commitment required.
Book a 30-Minute Assessment →Have questions first? Contact us →
Choose the frequency that fits your exam date
Same certified educators and DELF-specific preparation on every plan. Most families preparing for an exam start with Regular.
Flexible
Targeted prep
For students already at level who need focused technique sessions close to the exam.
Book as you go · no minimum
- 1:1 with a DELF-specialist educator
- Component technique sessions
- Free assessment to confirm level
- Official-format practice materials
Regular
Full preparation
Once a week, the right cadence for an 8 to 12 week path that covers all four components.
4 to 7 sessions/mo · from $192/mo
- 1:1 with a DELF-examiner educator
- All four components, prepared in order
- Examiner-graded written and oral practice
- Official rubrics used throughout
- Full mock exam in the 12-week path
- Report every 12 weeks, in English
Intensive
Accelerated prep
Twice a week, for a near-term exam date or a larger level gap to close.
8+ sessions/mo · from $336/mo
- Everything in Regular, plus:
- Two sessions a week, all components in 6 to 8 weeks
- Priority scheduling
- Best value per session
- Suited to spring or June exam sessions
More than one child? The second child gets 10% off every session, for as long as they’re enrolled. Any grade, program, or language. Just mention it when you book.
All prices in USD. 60-minute sessions. Every plan starts with a free assessment. No contract.
Students who passed, and what it meant
“My daughter passed her DELF B1 Scolaire with 81/100. Writing was her weak area and Geneviève focused on exactly that. The mock session was what made the difference; she walked in feeling like she’d already done it.”
“We chose Inspire for the examiner background. My son’s spoken French was strong but writing was the worry. Hema marked his practice essays the way an examiner would, so he could see where marks were going. He passed B2 with a distinction.”
“My nine-year-old passed DELF Prim A1 on her first try. The assessment told us she was ready. The prep was gentle; she thought it was just fun French practice. The certificate arrived and she was so proud.”
What parents ask about DELF prep
How do I know which DELF level is right?
That’s what the free assessment answers. A certified educator checks all four skills and recommends the level. Registering too high or too low is a common mistake we prevent.
How far ahead should we start?
For most students, 8 to 12 weeks of consistent prep. A larger gap, or working toward B2, often needs 16. We build around your exam date; Canada runs 3 to 4 DELF sessions a year.
My child is in French Immersion. Are they ready?
Often, but it depends on grade and level. Many Grade 6 to 8 immersion students sit at A2 to B1; Grade 10 to 12 often have the base for B1 or B2. The assessment tells you where they stand.
What is the note éliminatoire?
Scoring below 5/25 in any one skill fails the whole exam, even with a total above 50. It catches unprepared candidates, usually in writing or speaking. We target at-risk skills from the first sessions.
Does DELF help with university applications?
It does. A B1 or B2 is internationally recognised, issued by the French government, and never expires, so it carries more weight than a school grade. Many competitive programs look for it.
Where does my child take the exam?
Through Alliance Française and other accredited centres across Canada. We prepare your child; registration is done with the nearest centre. We help families find the right session and timeline.
Is DELF Prim worth it for a young child?
Yes. Beyond the diploma, the prep builds structured listening, reading, writing, and speaking in a way casual classes don’t. And the confidence from passing is real and lasting.
Can you keep teaching after the exam?
Yes, and many families do. DELF prep builds foundations that flow into the next level. Students often move into ongoing FSL or immersion support, or the next DELF level, with the same teacher.
Where families go next
Find out which DELF your child is ready for
A free 20 to 30 minute teacher-led assessment names the current CEFR level and the right DELF target, with a clear path to get there.
Book a 30-Minute Assessment