Al Khawarizmi Institute prepares students for the DELF, the official French-language diploma. We prepare you for it; we do not host the exam. This page explains what DELF is, how our French courses work, and how to plan the months before your exam.
How do I sit the DELF in Lebanon?
You sit it through the Institut français du Liban, not at our institute. We prepare you, and the Institut français handles the exam, with 5 DELF Tout Public sessions a year and 4 DELF Junior sessions. DELF and DALF are issued by the French education ministry. Check that page for the current session dates and fees.
Have an exam date? Message us on WhatsApp with your exam date and your current level. We answer straight away during opening hours, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm.
What DELF is
According to France Éducation international, the public body that runs the diplomas, the DELF covers levels A1 to B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), and the DALF covers C1 and C2. So if your goal is intermediate French, you are aiming for DELF; if you want advanced or near-native French, the DALF is the exam that follows.
The DELF for the general public tests four skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. France Éducation international’s B1 and B2 pages describe three group tests and one individual speaking test, each marked out of 25 points. A candidate needs at least 50 points out of 100 to pass, and a score below 5 out of 25 on any one test is eliminatory. Always check the official site for the exact rules of the level you are sitting, because details can change.
DELF is an exam; our course is the preparation
It helps to keep two things separate. The exam is organised and marked by the official centres. Our job is to help you prepare to sit it. We do not host DELF at the institute, and we will not tell you exam dates or fees, which the exam organisers set. Check the official centre in Lebanon for current sessions and registration, and tell us the date when you have it.
Start with a placement test
A new French student starts with a free written placement test. It takes 20 to 30 minutes and places your French level. Complete beginners can start from A1. The levels follow the CEFR, A1 to C2, six in all, which is the same scale the DELF and DALF use. Our full French course is described on the French courses page, and the other languages we teach are on the language courses page.
How long preparation takes
- A level is about 20 hours of class before the end-of-level exam. This is a reference figure; it varies by course and is confirmed after the placement test.
- Start at least two months before your exam, and earlier is better. We will tell you honestly whether your target is realistic in the time you have.
- Crash courses exist for students whose exam is soon, and intensive or fast-track options are available.
- If you are between two levels, a few private classes can close the gap so you join the higher group, or you can repeat the lower level. A student ready for a higher level can skip one.
The four skills the exam tests
These are facts about the exam, not a description of our lessons. The DELF tests listening, reading, writing and speaking, and the speaking test is taken individually in front of examiners, according to France Éducation international. Your French has to be balanced across all four, because a very low score on one test can eliminate a candidate whatever the others show.
Classes usually meet twice a week for one to two hours, with morning, afternoon, evening and Saturday groups when there are enough students. New groups open monthly, and the teacher agrees the schedule with the group. Homework is set, and we recommend 1 to 2 hours of study outside class for each hour in class. Language exams reward regular practice more than last-minute cramming.
Children, teens and adults
The exam has versions for different ages; the official site explains which fits a school-age candidate. If your child is a teenager learning languages, take a look at our courses for kids and teens, where children can start from age 7, and courses for children start from age 7. Adults can start at any level; there is no minimum age for adult classes.
In person or online
You can study in person at our main branch in Simkanieh, on the main road beside Irfan school and facing Lefco market, with parking on site, or live on Zoom with a teacher. Online groups are not recorded and cost the same as in person. See the online courses page for how it works, including for students abroad.
Fees, certificate and schedule
- Group courses start from $150 as a reference figure. The fee depends on the course and is confirmed before you enrol, in US dollars, by cash, Whish or OMT.
- There is no registration fee, and the placement test is free.
- Our French courses give a certificate at the end of each language level, stating the course completed and its dates, recognised by the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education. It is not the DELF diploma, which only the official exam awards.
- Courses run all year round, including the summer. We are open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm.
Next step
Message us on WhatsApp at +961 71 27 67 13 with your target level and exam date. You can also call the Simkanieh landline on 05 501 973, email [email protected], or use the online registration form. Walk-ins are welcome, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm.
Frequently asked questions
Do you host the DELF exam?
No. We prepare students for the DELF; the exam itself is not held at the institute. Check the official centre in Lebanon for sessions and registration.
Which levels does the DELF cover?
According to France Éducation international, the DELF covers CEFR levels A1 to B2, and the DALF covers C1 and C2.
How is the DELF scored?
For the general-public DELF, each of the four tests is marked out of 25, and you need at least 50 out of 100 to pass, with a score under 5 out of 25 on any test being eliminatory, according to France Éducation international. Check the official site for the level you are sitting.
How early should I start preparing?
At least two months before the exam, and earlier is better. We tell you honestly whether your target is realistic in the time left. Crash courses are available if your exam is soon.
How long does one French level take?
As a reference, about 20 hours of class before the end-of-level exam. It varies by course and is confirmed after the free placement test.
Can I prepare for DELF online?
Yes. Live Zoom classes are taught by a teacher, not recorded, and cost the same as in person.
Questions about fees or the next group? Message us and we will reply during opening hours, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm: Enroll Now.