How I passed the DALF C1 French exam! (tips, resources, test info)

Lingoda kicked my French into shape for this exam!! 😭 give it a try yourself and use my code ELYSSEFEB for a nice discount: try.lingoda.com/ElysseFeb
I passed the DALF with really good scores! in this video i'm going to talk about my DALF C1 experience, talk about how i prepared + what resources I used, and give some tips that went a long way for me ~ thanks for watching!
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elyssespeaks.gumroad.com/
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ko-fi.com/elyssespeaks
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💌 about me: my name is Elysse, I'm 23 years old from the southern U.S. I've been learning languages for about 8 years, and I speak English (native), Spanish (C2), German (B2/C1), French (C1), Portuguese (B2), American Sign Language (advanced), and Turkish (A1). I'm interested in learning Hebrew, Chinese, Georgian, and maybe Náhuatl as well :)
#polyglot #learnfrench #dalfc1

[@anita18274]

I wanted to sit the exams mainly for fun. I passed both DALF C1 and DALF C2. But also because an extra certificate is never a bad thing. At the moment, it feels important and and one feels happy and proud. But on a larger scale, it is not more than a nice thing to have. It does not mean I master the language and I still need to improve in many aspects of the language. But having the certificate is for sure a nice thing to have but one should by no means stop there. The greatest satisfaction, in my opinion, is being able to communicate in the language and seeing that my knowledge really works in the real world. Learning never stops !!

[@KatAles-cp3pc]

You passed c2 and you don’t think you master the language?

[@anita18274]

@@KatAles-cp3pc yes, exactly. Exam is not difficult to pass. But to master the language, you have to spend a lot of time with it, which I do not do.

[@KatAles-cp3pc]

@@anita18274 c2 is very difficult

[@anita18274]

@@KatAles-cp3pc i still believe one can pass it with the right strategy, without mastering the language. Examiners expect specific things from examinee, which can be prepared. But I understand that C2 can look very difficult.

[@KatAles-cp3pc]

@@anita18274 no you can’t. What is your score in c2? Are you sure you took the right exam? You can definitely pass it by knowing the exam strategy, but you can’t pass it unless your level is very high, of course you don’t have to be a native speaker to pass it

[@floraacastro]

"but it sure is pretty" hahahaha i loved this. Well done, Elysse!

[@sadsixersfan]

Congratulations. I got a 51/100 on the B2 when I took it last year. Not great but I still passed.

[@valerijajovanovic2020]

50% is a pass? Man, that is so much less strict than the FCE

[@anita18274]

@@valerijajovanovic2020 yes, in DALF pass is 50%

[@KatAles-cp3pc]

Same for me 😊 I did not prepare to be honest and thought I would not pass, the exam is not easy at all

[@sauravbarik2944]

@@KatAles-cp3pc ofc it was difficult, you didn't study. Did you expect it to be handed to you as a cake on a platter?? I got over 90% with a little bit of study, why pay around 380 CHF/Euro or whatever and not study lmao deserved imo, the only really difficult part was production orale on which I missed out 5 marks.

[@KatAles-cp3pc]

@@sauravbarik2944 I just needed a pass at that time for university entry, and I thought I would pass because I could speak well, and I passed, but I was not really familiar with the exam structure. And I had to time to study. I did not take the exam “just for fun” to pay over 300 euro, I needed it urgently no matter the price. Production oracle was the easiest part for me with highest score , comprehension orale or production ecrite are more difficult.

[@wherethebirdsgo]

Getting a C1 but then not being able to talk about hair dye is my literal exact relationship with German 💀 Tell me why I can discuss the morality of war but I can‘t follow a recipe without a dictionary

[@Ala100zpanfu]

It's so relatable for me with English 😭 on paper I have a C2 but I feel like I still don't know so many basic words of every day use, it's honestly sad

[@ellevasc]

omg yeah being proficient to those accreditation institutions and being proficient in real life situations are two very diffeeent things 😭😭😭

[@AR-vb4xy]

Der Grund ist einfach. Es hängt davon wie du dein Vokabeln aufgebaut hast. Was ich, als Deutschlearner, beobachtet hab, dass am meisten Deutschanfängerbücher und sogar fortgeschrittene bücher geht um Thema wie Umwelt o.Ä und deshalb haben wir Vokabelnmangeln in andere Bereiche die wir nicht eigentlich von diesem Vorbereitungsbücher gelernt haben. Aber wenn man wirklich in Deutsch intressiert ist, dann er kann diese Lücke einfach vernichten, in dem man die Deutsch Roman liest wo es immer über Beschreiben geht.

[@lalla_reema]

Love your content!✨

[@jamiestevens2003]

well done! ur such an inspiration for me

[@jayjay8490]

I've been so inspired! Thank you, I will tell you about my expérience once I take it❤

[@keanancupido]

Congratulations!!!

[@AmbassadorSoriano]

Felicitations! Bravo! Je suis sûr que tu as réussi a cause de travail ce que tu en as mets.

[@catrionakilgallon4400]

Well done! I’m studying for the DELE so this was super inspiring!

[@dionysos1096]

1:38 the video concept u told about would be so immensely helpful, we'll be waitin'! Keep it up you're just doing gr8!

[@seanatalavera3301]

I love your content. Casual, funny, not trying too hard…

[@mariakoniarz7285]

great video! waiting for the second one about the DALF prep :)

[@AdoreLanguage]

great video!!

[@Mikeygp17]

Te acabo de descubrir y me encanta tu vibe :)

[@Alexcausewhynot]

Omg thats awesome!I am a beginner in french and I am actually giving the A1exam in SIX DAYS hope i pass with flying colours just like you

[@isabel.catarina]

I will be taking the DALF C1 in April of this year, so this video is in perfect timing. Thank you so much! I got a French tutor and I have been so stressed over the synthese and the essai argumentatif aaarghhh, I hope it goes well.

[@MyVacationMyStyle]

Félicitations ! En fait, avec cet score là, je suis persuadé que tu aurais pu avoir le C2.

[@Histoireetturcologie-qm4ti]

Le soucis, c’est qu’au jour d’aujourd’hui, elle est incapable de faire des phrases simples sans fautes. Chacune de ses phrases simples contient des fautes de niveau A1 ou A2. Elle ne connaît même pas les possessifs. Ce qui prouve son manque cruel de bases solides. C’est ce qui se passe quand on étudie à fond pour un examen sur une courte période. Ça a été prouvé que c’est totalement inefficace en neurosciences. Elle a tout oublié et n’a pas du tout le niveau C1 aujourd’hui. Elle l’avait uniquement la semaine de l’examen. Du coup, à part pour dire qu’on a un niveau C1 en français sur les réseaux sociaux, y’a pas vraiment d’utilité à faire ce qu’elle a fait. Surtout quand on est incapable d’écrire une phrase simple de niveau a1 en français. Ce qui est dingue c’est que les gens la déifient alors qu’elle ne parle que 2 langues vraiment couramment. Sa langue maternelle + l’espagnol. Et elle ne publie que dans sa langue maternelle.

[@Ryan-ds5zc]

​@@Histoireetturcologie-qm4ti proof? Where did this come from lmao

[@David_10157]

Great video! Congrats on the pass. How long had you been learning French before you sat for the exam?

[@user-tr3qf4pg4d]

So as far as I know that's really not so effortless just pass this exam in order to proof your C1 language in France, for sure while I don't learning this language but in the future definitely I gonna try to learn this language also and currently that's Turkish language 🇹🇷 and to be honest yeah I already can speak in this language on easy topics but not so good, but anyway what about this it's really good particularly with this entire information and interesting moments. Continue make content it's so wonderful 💯.

[@caoimhemacnally6393]

Congratulations

[@Yihwa_G]

For that price, they should have sent you the certificate in a sparkling gold frame. 25/25 in C1 writing, such a queen. 👑🎉

[@iasminmelo6223]

Hi Elysse! Congratulations! Have you done the German proficiency exam? If so, I would really like a video like this abt it :) love your content!

[@Aizenjnn]

I took the DELF A2 last November and passed with a 100% score . My journey with French is a very complicated one so I did not have a great feeling of accomplishment when I found out how I did . ( especially because i almost signed up for the B1 but then cowered and stayed in my comfort zone) . I am hoping to take an IELTS exam as soon as I'm able to though . That would be a fun challenge i think!

[@copiouscat]

How do we update the notion template resources? It’s been a game charger for me and I want to thank you for that

[@Darren-yc6ld]

Awesome video! Quick questiom to anyone with DELF experience: Regarding the exams, are you allowed to write a brief 'plan' before you tackle the writing section ( bullet points ) ? Or should you just keep it in mind before tackling the writing section? I'm a bit of a scatter brain when writing in french 😂

[@RachelHaraburda]

I took the B2 German last week (Chicago is also the closest testing center to me, so I planned the exam into another vacation I had planned...Still waiting on results btw) and this video came out before I took it but I didn't want to watch because I was really trying to only consume German content, and oh boy, this would have helped. I don't feel like the info here is just for French. Why didn't I take notes during the listening section!!!! For some reason, writing in the test booklet feels forbidden

[@MariaJose-qg8hf]

any tip to practice my speaking if Im not able to pay for lingoda, but neither am good to hold conversations with strangers, like any IA where i can speak with?

[@Matt-jc2ml]

I want to take it in Spanish, I lived in mexico for years and consume maybe a third of my content in spanish (not for learning). I can understand maybe 99% or higher of what I hear even if it's about technology or politics

[@writerartistmix4473]

Do you have any tips to get from B1 to B2? My New Year’s resolutions is to get B2 but I’m not sure if my current routine is enough lol

[@valentinasanchez5757]

Just move to a french speaking country and you will end up with a C2 , that is my method

[@yuulfuji-js9bm]

im surprised they do a speaking test! my TL is japanese and on the JLPT theres only grammar, reading, listening and kanji. in a way im glad because speaking makes me so damn nervous lmfao

[@paperboxes]

That makes sense because Japanese education has zero emphasis on English speaking 😂

[@Piano_Kid90]

Have you taken the DELE Spanish exam? I want to take it but I’m way too nervous 😅

[@elyssespeaks]

I haven’t!

[@angietrif]

Reminds me of high school in Montreal 😰

[@francomartinlapenna]

❤🙌

[@margot2052]

have you done the DELE? i would love your tips 😍

[@Piano_Kid90]

I just asked this too! I’d love to know her tips. I’ve been studying but so nervous about it

[@elyssespeaks]

Not yet, I might someday though! But honestly the tips in this video would go for any language exam

[@languageishard]

I've never studied French and don't plan on it but I've still heard horror stories about this exam so I guess that's why I'm here? 😅

[@NirvanaTutorials]

Lingoda only teaches up to B2 in French, not C1?

[@omarm.d2578]

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@CharlesWinnip]

Do you have a sister that works with Jules from watchbyjules in the diamond district in NY? Lol

[@LeahFriedman-gj9qo]

Hi

[@theneification]

Anyone know what ethnicity she is? Just curious

[@misshyperalphafemale]

I think you supposed to do the video entirely in french

[@Kalymnah]

With no editing, to have an honest appreciation of her French. But honestly, for the past 6 months, she’s been making a1 mistakes in every single sentence she wrote in French on her socials, and they were very basic sentences. That’s why intense binge studying isn’t recommended : everything you binge learn for an exam fades as soon as the exam is over. That’s also why it’s not recommended to focus on too many languages at once, it doesn’t allow for enough time for real deep hardcore long full-time immersion, which is required to learn AND remember a language forever. Because it’s easier to forget a language than to learn it. It’s better to go deep, not wide. ☝🏻

[@caoimhemacnally6393]

Gurl what

[@Kalymnah]

The problem with intense studying for an exam during a short period of time is that you get good at the exam, for the exam period, but it doesn’t stay in the long term memory and fades right after. And it shows in your current level of French. In the past 6 months, I never saw you write a single correct sentence in French. They all had basic a1 or a2 huge mistakes. Like ALL of them. And they were very simple sentences. It’s very hard for me to fathom that you have a c1 degree since you don’t seem to have a1 grammar solid fondations. That’s why I wouldn’t recommend it. Studying like this works to get a c1 degree, but what’s the use of getting to a c1 level just for an exam if you make very basic beginner mistakes once the exam is over… like we say in French, its like “peeing in a violin” which means it’s a waste of time and energy because it’s useless in the end. “Pisser dans un violon”.

[@maciejcisek9812]

what kind of errors, you've not provided any

[@Histoireetturcologie-qm4ti]

@@maciejcisek9812 I’m sorry, I didn’t screen shot every post she made in French to put them into a file called “Elysse’s mistakes”. If you were French, you’d know cause it’s all her French instagram posts for the past 6 months that are full of mistakes. One big one was about people being proud of their own languages. And she just wrote one simple sentence and the possessive was plural when it should have been singular. Simply put, it was a sentence like : He likes his language. And instead she wrote “he likes their language”. And no, he wasn’t talking other people’s languages but his own, so it was a mistake. I can remember this one clearly because it’s one of the very first things you learn when you learn a language. Possessives are a1 level. I did kindly send her a few grammar explanations and corrections in her pm back then. But the thing is, I can’t access them to show you cause she blocked me after commenting on one of her post that I didn’t want to pay 20$ a month to be part of her community because language services and community are available for free already. Other people commented that as well but all of our comments were erased. I dunno if she blocked them as well. But to me that raises some red flags.

[@karinaceteeme6020]

You are just envy. Poor you...

[@Kalymnah]

@@karinaceteeme6020 what envy ? I’m literally more experienced than her in language learning, I can speak 11 languages. I’m fluent in 7 (she’s fluent in 3) and I studied and dissected over 20 of them. I can also read 8 different writing systems while she can only read 2. I’ve been studying languages, linguistics and language didactic for 30 years. I have more language books at home than the library of my city can provide. Literally. Languages are my life. And they have been my whole life. I’m just saying that this method is a recipe for disaster and that it shows on her current French level. All brain scientific studies in the world back up what I’m saying : intense studying for a short period is the best way to forget everything you learn. It’s been proven for years. There’s no envy in that. It’s just a fact. And I just happen to know what I’m talking about cause I have made that same mistake in the past myself. I know for a fact it’s the worst thing to do. And I’m French so I can see when she makes mistakes in French and can confidently say that it is ALL the time. She doesn’t master basic a1 level grammar points. Why ? Because intense studying makes you forget. That’s all. So you can feel inspired if you want, you can do what she has done if you want. But if you do, you’ll just forget everything. That’s all I’m saying. And she did forget everything. Nothing to envy here. This is just a specialist’s opinion. When a car mechanic engineer says that a car engine has a problem, you don’t tell them this is out of envy, do you ? Not every opinion on the internet is out of envy. Also, she did ask for our opinion in her video, so it’s not like I was giving it without being asked first.

[@mayamibee]

@@Kalymnah Hi, I find your opinion very interesting. I would be honestly interested in your opinion on how best to maintain two or more langugages, because as you mentioned if you study for a short period of time, you´ll soon forget it, unless you use it. So how do you maintain 7 languages on a fluent level. Do you have time to study and speak all of them? Or is there a threshold of sorts? How many years do you have to interact in the said language to be able to say that you can´t lose it (or the knowledge of it)? Thank you.

[@mdsujatmia]

Hello 👋 I’m Sohan Islam sujat From Bangladesh

[@T.K.P.]

Poor mark, got zuccked by elysse

[@dccoulthard]

1. Congrats! 2. You look cold in the intro!!

[@lalla_reema]

First comment here🎉🫡

[@sergiohs391]

Right-click -> Stats for nerds -> Content loudness -19.2dB [Your audio is way too low, dear.]

[@elyssespeaks]

It’s fine :-) lmfao

[@quit-rt4vz]

Have you ever heard of the volume button on most devices?

[@sergiohs391]

@@quit-rt4vz Volume is from -XXdB to 0dB. Do we have gain buttons on most devices?

[@OzkAltBldgCo-bv8tt]

Ive been studying Spanish since July I'm getting ready to be a B1 level on Busuu and you have convinced me to take the Lingoda sprint. Thank you Here's a list of resources Drops = word base Babadum picture games Duolingo for basics Busuu quality lessons Reverso dictionary translator Lingopie Netflix of language learning Lingo Play language games Clozemaster 4 spaced repetition Amazon flashcards and bilingual crosswords Translator pens for reading and speaking