🌉 Bridge Content · DELF holders
From DELF to TEF Canada — The Bridge Guide
Already passed DELF B2? You're 90% of the way there. The TEF Canada format is more standardised than DELF and your skills transfer almost directly — but a few format-specific quirks need 1-2 weeks of prep before exam day.
CEFR ↔ CLB rough conversion
| DELF level | CEFR | Approx CLB |
|---|---|---|
| DELF B1 | B1 | CLB 5–6 |
| DELF B2 | B2 | CLB 7–8 |
| DALF C1 | C1 | CLB 9–10 |
| DALF C2 | C2 | CLB 11–12 (TEF only) |
Key format differences DELF → TEF Canada
- Reading is MCQ-only on TEF Canada — no open-ended or matching questions like DELF B2's reading. Practise pure MCQ reasoning.
- Listening is MCQ-only too — same shift. No completion tasks.
- Lexique et Structure section — 40 vocab + grammar MCQ items. DELF doesn't have a dedicated grammar section. Need targeted prep.
- Writing tasks differ — TEF: news continuation (80-100 words) + argumentation (200-250 words). DELF B2 has only argumentation. The shorter format is new.
- Speaking is shorter — TEF: 2 tasks × 5 min. DELF B2 speaking is one longer monologue + debate (20+ min).
- Scoring is CLB-banded — different from DELF's 0-100 per skill. Get familiar with what CLB 7 vs CLB 9 looks like in practice.
1-2 week bridge plan
- Day 1-3: Take 1 full TEF Canada mock to identify which sections feel different from DELF
- Day 4-7: Drill Lexique et Structure (the only truly new section). Target 30/40 first try.
- Day 8-10: Practise the news-continuation 80-100 word writing task (new format)
- Day 11-14: Take 2-3 more full mocks to consolidate timing across all 5 sections
FAQs
Do I need to retake DELF if I have it?
No. DELF doesn't expire. But IRCC won't accept DELF for Express Entry — you must add a TEF Canada or TCF Canada score on top. DELF is a great foundation that confirms you have the underlying skills.
If I have DELF B2, am I CLB 7 automatically?
Roughly — DELF B2 maps to CLB 7-8 in most cases. But it's not automatic; you still need to take the official TEF/TCF Canada exam, where the format-specific quirks may shift you up or down by ~0.5 CLB.
Should I take TEF Canada or DALF C1 if I'm at C1 level already?
If your goal is Express Entry, take TEF Canada or TCF Canada. DALF C1 doesn't count federally. If you also want Quebec PRTQ, DALF C1 works there. If you're going both routes, TEF Canada covers everything.
Bridge from DELF to TEF Canada
Take a full mock to see how your DELF skills translate to CLB bands.
Start free Canada French mockIndependent prep platform. Not affiliated with IRCC, CCI Paris-Île-de-France, or France Éducation International. Practice audio uses Parisian French — supplement with Québec-French sources before exam day.