Why I’m Learning French?
I have been living in a French-speaking city for almost four years. However, I still can’t speak French fluently. Why? Because almost everyone around me speaks English! This has made it easy for me to rely on English and avoid improving my French.
But now, I am seriously considering working in a French-speaking environment. To achieve this, becoming a fluent and independent French speaker is an urgent and important goal for me.
Through this blog, I will record my daily progress, share useful learning tips, and document my journey toward passing DELF B2. I hope my experiences will be helpful to others who are also preparing for this exam!
My Goal
🎯 Pass DELF B2 on July 23, 2025
📅 Today is March 16, 2025 – I have about 4 months to prepare!
My Strategy: Understanding the Challenge
As the saying goes, “Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles.”
Step 1: Understanding DELF B2 (The ‘Enemy’)
Before diving into my study plan, it’s important to fully understand what DELF B2 requires. Many people struggle with this exam not because their French is bad, but because they don’t prepare strategically. So, let’s break it down!
What is DELF B2?
DELF B2 (Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française – Niveau B2) is an official French proficiency exam designed for independent users of the language. At this level, we should be able to:
✅ Understand complex spoken French, including long speeches and discussions, as long as the topic is relatively familiar.
✅ Follow TV programs and films in standard French, especially those related to current events.
✅ Read and analyze articles and reports on contemporary issues.
✅ Communicate spontaneously and fluently with native speakers without much difficulty.
✅ Express and defend your opinions on various topics in a structured and logical way.
✅ Write structured essays and reports, conveying information or presenting arguments for or against a given opinion.
At the B2 level, we are expected to go beyond simple communication and demonstrate the ability to think critically, structure arguments, and engage in complex discussions.
DELF B2 Exam Structure
The DELF B2 exam consists of four sections, covering listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Each section is scored out of 25 points, and the total score is /100. To pass, candidates must obtain at least 50/100, with a minimum of 5/25 in each section.
Collective Written and Listening Tests
| Section | Duration | Description | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening (Compréhension de l’oral) | ~30 min | Answer multiple-choice questions based on several audio recordings: ✅ Three radio-style recordings (played twice) ✅ Three varied recordings (played once) 📌 Maximum length of recordings: 10 minutes | /25 |
| Reading (Compréhension des écrits) | 1 hour | Answer multiple-choice questions based on five written texts, including: ✅ An informative text about France or the French-speaking world ✅ An argumentative text ✅ Texts presenting different points of view | /25 |
| Writing (Production écrite) | 1 hour | Write a structured, well-argued text taking a personal stance. This could be: ✅ A debate contribution ✅ A formal letter ✅ A critical article | /25 |
Individual Speaking Test
| Section | Duration | Description | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking (Production orale) | ~50 min | Present and defend a personal opinion based on a short stimulus document. 📌 Preparation time: 30 minutes | /25 |
Total Score
✅ Final Score: /100
✅ Passing Score: 50/100 (with at least 5/25 in each section)
Step 2: Assessing My Current Level (Knowing Myself)
I took the DELF B1 in March 2024, and here were my results:
| Section | Score |
|---|---|
| Listening (Compréhension de l’oral) | 16/25 |
| Reading (Compréhension des écrits) | 21.5/25 |
| Writing (Production écrite) | 19/25 |
| Speaking (Production orale) | 12.5/25 |
| Total | 69/100 |
🔎 Strengths: Reading & Writing
⚠️ Weaknesses: Listening & Speaking
Step 3: Setting My Target Scores
For DELF B2, I aim for the following scores:
| Section | Target Score |
|---|---|
| Listening (Compréhension de l’oral) | 15/25 |
| Reading (Compréhension des écrits) | 20/25 |
| Writing (Production écrite) | 20/25 |
| Speaking (Production orale) | 15/25 |
| Total | 70/100 |
How I Will Prepare for DELF B2
Now that I have a better idea of what to expect, I will build a study plan based on my strengths and weaknesses. In the next post, I’ll go into detail about what each section of the exam requires and how I plan to improve my score.
Are you also preparing for DELF B2? Which section do you find most difficult? Let’s discuss in the comments! 😊
