The First Success of the DELF Preparation Class at MIS
By Anne Irma Tobing, Indonesian and French Teacher
Last semester, for the first time, MIS offered a DELF Preparation CCA for MYP 4/5 and DP students who chose French as an additional language in MYP. This class was led by me, Madame Irma, the French teacher at MIS. Our goal in opening this class was to provide students with the opportunity to test their French skills through an international-scale exam. We also wanted to create opportunities for students who wish to continue their education at a university in France. This is the first step we have planned to help students prepare early.
What is DELF?
DELF (Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française) is an official diploma issued by the French Ministry of Education, certifying that foreign candidates have achieved a certain level of French proficiency. DELF consists of four independent diplomas corresponding to the first four levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The DELF-DALF exams are divided into different categories: Tout Public, Junior/Scolaire, and Prim, depending on the target audience.
We chose DELF Junior, which assesses the French language skills of middle and high school students (ages 12-16), with topics adapted to teenage interests. This diploma helps motivate students and facilitates access to higher education in France and other French-speaking countries. DELF Junior includes beginner to intermediate levels: A1, A2, B1, and B2. In Medan, the official organizer of the DELF exam is Alliance Française de Medan, located at Hasanudin Street No. 58, Medan.
The Journey of the DELF A1 Preparation Class
For this first year, we chose DELF A1 preparation. We designed the class using a DELF A1 preparation book that we purchased online. Six students enrolled in the class. In this class, we studied the four competencies tested in the DELF A1 exam: Compréhension Orale (Listening), Compréhension Écrite (Reading), Production Écrite (Writing), and Production Orale (Speaking). The learning process began with an introduction to DELF and its syllabus. The lessons included practice exercises and strategies to pass the DELF test. Most students were serious about their studies and felt that the class helped them improve their performance in their regular French lessons.
While the class was ongoing, an announcement was made that the DELF exam would be held on November 4, 2024. I encouraged several students to register and reassured them that their skills were sufficient to take the test. Finally, three candidates—Sienna, Jolie, and Anggia—registered online in early October 2024.
A Nerve-Wracking Exam Day
On November 4, 2024, I accompanied the three students to Alliance Française de Medan for the DELF A1 exam. They looked very nervous, but I gave them support and encouraged them to be confident. During the journey, we took the opportunity to practice by reviewing key points. The exam was held in two sessions. The morning session included the listening, reading, and writing tests, while the afternoon session was for the speaking test. The students were quite anxious, but I reminded them to stay calm so the test could go smoothly. We were relieved when everything was completed, although they said the test was difficult because some topics were unfamiliar to them. This was understandable, as our preparation class was not yet finished.
Great News at the End of the Year
During the Term 2 holiday, on December 16, 2024, the DELF exam results were announced. Anggia, Jolie, and Sienna passed. The decision to open the DELF Preparation CCA proved to be the right one. Finally, three MIS students have earned the prestigious and internationally recognized DELF A1 certificate. Congratulations to our students! Next year, more students are invited to join this class. À bientôt!