DFP International Relations
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Demonstrate your ability to work in French in international relations!
Do you want to become a diplomat, international civil servant, journalist or work in the field of international relations?
The Diploma in French for International Relations will help you stand out professionally.
More information
Valid for life, the diploma is aimed at executives of international or regional organizations who need to use French in their professional context; national civil servants likely to play a role in the work of international or European institutions; journalists covering international news.
This diploma certifies your ability to use French effectively, both orally and in writing, in a variety of professional communication situations, by offering activities that are as close as possible to professional reality such as:
- write a briefing note, comment on country data, summarize current events, organize a protocol event, draft an official statement
- present a mission, present a country situation, obtain support in the field, make a thematic presentation, argue during a negotiation
The exam for the Diploma in French for International Relations is taken online, followed by an oral interview.
It consists of two parts:
01. Understanding and Processing Information
- Via computer
- Duration between 45 mins and 2 hrs depending on level
- Depending on the level, 3 to 7 activities (professional situations) based on the processing of authentic written documents (e.g. product sheet, graphs, etc.) and/or audio files (e.g. answering machine messages, a debate between experts, etc.) and on the written production of a professional document (e.g. e-mail, report, etc.)
- The number and nature of the documents to be processed or produced vary according to level
02. Oral Interaction
- Conversation (role-playing) with an examiner
- Duration between 5 and 15 mins depending on level, with preparation time
- 2 activities (professional scenarios) involving oral interaction (conversation to inform or convince) or oral production (e.g. presentation of a product)
- All the necessary information is provided in the subject line
Did you know?
The Diploma in French for International Relations was created at the request of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.
It was created in collaboration with the French Department of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna.
Description of diplomas by level
The Diploma in French for International Relations is available in 3 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR): B1, B2 and C1.
Diploma in French for International Relations B1
Level
The Diploma in French for International Relations B1 validates competence in French at CEFR level B1.
It certifies elementary proficiency in French at an independent level, enabling users to understand and express themselves in everyday social and professional situations.
The holder of this diploma can carry out professional communication tasks in a predictable context, both orally and in writing.
Presentation of the tests
Total examination time: 1 hr 50 mins
Understanding and Processing Information
- Processing written information:
1) Comment on figures concerning a country or an international theme,
2) Summarize the main points of international news,
3) Organize a formal event - Processing oral information:
1) Convey the main ideas of a speech,
2) Write a simple confirmation e-mail - Interacting in writing: Respond to a job offer by explaining your motivation for a position
Oral Interaction
- Activity 1: Present a mission, a project and negotiate mission details
- Activity 2: Present a country situation on a given theme (education, culture, health, media) and the actions taken in this context
Skills assessed
Understanding and Processing Information
You can understand the essential elements of information documents (figures, short press articles, excerpts from protocol guides, regulations, etc.) and messages, both internal (colleagues) and external (international partners).
You can process or fill in the most common professional documents (data commentaries, press reviews, protocol event preparation sheets, job application forms, country sheets, etc.) used in international relations.
You can select supplied elements to organize them in a given format, and write simple formal e-mails requesting information or a response or confirmation, in everyday business situations.
Oral Interaction
You can establish social and professional contacts to take part in current exchanges in your professional context, to present your institution, the situation in a country, a mission, to explain or negotiate important aspects of an action.
Diploma in French for International Relations B2
Level
The Diploma in French for International Relations B2 validates competence in French at CEFR level B2.
It certifies proficiency in French at an independent level, enabling the user to communicate effectively in a wide range of professional communication situations.
The holder of this diploma is able to perform written and spoken professional communication tasks in all standard situations in their professional environment, including those requiring a certain degree of unexpectedness.
Presentation of the tests
Total examination time: 2 hrs 30 mins
Understanding and Processing Information
- Processing written information: Write a briefing note to prepare an international project meeting
- Processing oral information: Write a report on an oral presentation
- Interacting in writing: Write a formal e-mail response
Oral Interaction
- Activity 1: Express a point of view on an international relations issue and argue in multilateral negotiations
- Activity 2: Make a presentation on a theme (education, culture, health, etc.) to partners
Skills assessed
Understanding and Processing Information
You can understand the important details of most professional writing in international relations.
You can extract the relevant information from professional documents (notes, e-mails, figures, action plans, procedures, instructions, etc.) in order to take action effectively.
You can understand long, structured speeches and interactions, and take notes in order to write up reports, summaries, etc.
Oral Interaction
You can establish social and professional contacts, present structured information on major international issues (diplomacy, education, health, culture, security, etc.), and provide relevant arguments to convince your interlocutor or audience.
You can react to other people’s arguments and defend a point of view in formal presentation or interaction situations (meetings, round tables, forums, etc.) face-to-face or over the phone/videoconference.
Diploma in French for International Relations C1
Level
The Diploma in French for International Relations C1 validates competence in French at CEFR level C1.
It certifies advanced proficiency in French, enabling the user to communicate effectively in a wide range of professional communication situations.
Holders of this diploma are able to carry out written and spoken professional communication tasks in all situations in their professional environment, including those requiring a certain degree of contingency management.
Presentation of the tests
Total examination time: 2 hrs 30 mins
Understanding and Processing Information
- Processing written information: Write an official statement by a government or an international organization on a current international event, based on a documentary file
- Processing oral information: Write a report on an oral presentation
- Interacting in writing: Write a keynote speech for a public event, using working documents (invitation card, event description, biographical sheets/CV)
Oral Interaction
- Activity 1: Negotiate over the phone to get support in the field
- Activity 2: Respond spontaneously to a question requiring an elaborate answer in a job interview situation
Skills assessed
Understanding and Processing Information
You’ll be able to understand in detail all types of professional writing in international relations.
You can extract all the information from a wide range of professional documents of any length (document file, specialized press article, diplomatic dispatch, conference, meeting, panel discussion etc.) with implicit meanings to act efficiently and flexibly.
You can understand long, structured speeches/interactions, complex technical information, and take notes in order to write up minutes, summaries, reports, etc.
Oral Interaction
You are able to present structured information on major international issues (diplomacy, education, health, culture, security…), and put forward relevant arguments to convince your interlocutor or audience.
You can react to other people’s arguments and defend a point of view in formal presentation or interaction situations (meetings, round tables, forums, etc.), face-to-face or over the phone/videoconference.
Language proficiency levels
| Basic user | |
| A1 level Discovery |
A2 level Usual |
| Independent user | |
| B1 level Independant |
B2 level Advanced |
| Experienced user | |
| C1 level Experienced |
C2 level Fluent |
Further information
Who is the Diploma in French for Business recognized by?
Academic recognition
Diplomas in French for Business are offered at over a hundred universities and business schools worldwide, including the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna in Austria, the École Hôtellière de Lausanne in Switzerland, Bocconi University of Milan in Italy, Chosun University in South Korea, Podomoro University in Indonesia, Georgetown, DePaul and Vanderbilt Universities in the USA, and many others.
CEMS (The Global Alliance in Management Education) recognizes them for the validation of students’ French language skills at its 33 schools.
National recognition
Diplomas in French for Business are recognized by several ministries in Europe (France, Switzerland, Italy, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Austria…).
In France, Diplomas in French for Business are also recognized by the French Ministry of the Interior to validate your level of French when applying for a residence permit or naturalization in France.
Unlike the TEF, they are valid for life and will add value to your CV.
International recognition
The Diplomas in French for Business B1, B2 and C1 have also been awarded the European ALTE label, which gives them European and international scientific recognition.
What is your policy for processing my personal data?
When your register for a Diploma in French for Professions, Le français des affaires will collect a certain amount of information to reply to your request.
Le français des affaires will keep your data on file for 10 years. They are not transferred to third parties.
The data collected may also be processed for the purpose of carrying out studies and surveys, in order to improve our services. In this case, the data collected during surveys will be kept for a period of one year and will not be passed on to third parties.
In accordance with the French Data Protection Act of January 6, 1978, as amended, and the Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016-679, and within the framework and limits set by these texts, you may exercise your right to access data concerning you and have it rectified or deleted, which you may do by contacting francais@cci-paris-idf.fr or, in the event of difficulty, the Data Protection Officer at cpdp@cci-paris-idf.fr.
Finally, you can file a complaint with the CNIL, 3 Place de Fontenoy – TSA 80715 – 75334 PARIS CEDEX 07.