The Diplomas in French for Professions - Le français des affaires

Created in 1958 by the Paris Île-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) at the request of companies, the Diplomas in French for Professions assess French written and oral communication skills in the main areas of the professional world: business, tourism / hospitality / catering, international relations and healthcare.

By focusing on the assessment of performance and know-how in French, through professional tasks to be accomplished, these diplomas offer a cohesive assessment system adapted to today’s business world.

Valid for life, they are an excellent indicator of an individual’s level of French performance in professional situations and represent a real asset for those wishing to promote their French language skills in the French-speaking and international world, particularly when entering the workforce.

No qualification is required to sit the exam. The Diploma is valid for life.

The Diploma in French for Professionals is sat online via computer, followed by an oral interview.

The exam consists of two parts:

1- Understanding and Processing Information (between 45 mins and 2 hrs depending on level)

online, via computer
activities (professional role-plays) based on authentic written and/or audio materials and producing a professional written document

2- Oral Interaction (between 5 and 15 mins depending on level, with equivalent preparation time)

conversation (role-play) with an examiner
2 interaction and oral production activities (professional role-play)

Audience
The Diploma in French for Business is intended for corporate or government personnel working in any interpersonal, administrative or commercial position requiring them to communicate with French-speaking contacts orally or in writing.

Levels
The Diploma is offered from A1 to C1, i.e. the 5 levels on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.

Objectives
It assesses the ability to use French in a variety of situations: managing a schedule, creating a product sheet, writing e-mails, taking notes and producing reports, presenting the results of an activity, describing your career path, taking part in negotiations, etc.

The Diploma in French for International Relations was created at the request of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and the International Organization of La Francophonie. It was designed in collaboration with the French Department of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna.

Audience
The Diploma is intended for executives from international or regional organizations who need to use French in the context of their professional activity, national administrative officials likely to play a role in the work of international or European institutions, and journalists.

Levels
It is offered from B1 to C1, i.e. 3 levels on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.

Objectives
It assesses the ability to use French in a variety of situations: presenting the situation in a country, organizing a formal event, producing reports, writing a speech or press release, negotiating a mission, etc.

Audience
The Diploma in French for Healthcare is aimed at people working in the medical or paramedical professions, in contact with French-speaking patients, their families and/or medical and nursing staff.

Levels
The Diploma is offered from B1 to C1, i.e. 3 levels on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.

Objectives
It assesses the ability to use French in a variety of situations: drafting a referral or treatment plan, creating a prevention plan, writing reports or notes, proposing preventive measures, advising a patient, etc.

Audience
The Diploma in French for Tourism, Hospitality and Catering is aimed at employees of companies and organizations in the tourism, hospitality and catering sector, whose mission is to welcome French-speaking customers and/or develop their French-speaking market.

Levels
The Diploma is offered from A2 to B2, i.e. 3 levels on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.

Objectives
It assesses the ability to use French in a variety of situations: guiding a traveler, welcoming a customer, following up on a reservation, presenting a menu, taking an order, advising customers, writing promotional copy, offering a guided tour, etc.

Diplomas in French for Professions are recognized by many ministries internationally and validate language training courses at language centers, high schools, vocational schools, and universities.

A diploma recognized by companies

In line with the reality of the job market, Diplomas in French for Professions are recognized and used by many companies to validate their employees’ French language skills.

A diploma offered by educational institutions

Diplomas in French for Professions are offered at around 100 universities and management schools around the world to validate training courses, better prepare young people to enter the job market, and develop their professional knowledge and skills by adapting curricula to the needs of the global market.

These include: the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna in Austria, the Lausanne Hotel School in Switzerland, Bocconi University in Milan, Italy, Chosun University in South Korea, Podomoro University in Indonesia, Georgetown University, DePaul University, and Vanderbilt University in the United States, and many others.

CEMS – The Global Alliance in Management Education also recognizes Diplomas for the validation of the French language level of students from its 33 schools.

A diploma recognized by national ministries and international organizations

Diplomas in French for Professions are recognized by several ministries in Europe (Switzerland, Italy, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Austria, etc.).

Diplomas in French for Professions are also recognized by the French Ministry of the Interior to validate the French language level of applicants for a residence permit or naturalization from the French government.

Finally, the Diploma in French for International Relations was designed in partnership with the International Organization of La Francophonie, which recognizes and prescribes it in various international programs.

A diploma accredited by ALTE

The Diploma in French for Business is recognized by ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe), which has awarded it the Q-Mark label in recognition of its quality standards.

1958

Creation of the first professional French language certifications by the International Relations Department of Education at the Paris Ile-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry: the Practical Business and Economics Certificate, the Advanced Diploma in Business French, and the Advanced Diploma in Business French.

1983

Creation of the Certificate in French for Secretarial Work, the Certificate in Scientific and Technical French, and the Certificate in French for Tourism and Hospitality.

1986

Creation of the Advanced Diploma in Business French.

2000

The Practical Certificate becomes the Diploma in Business French 1 (DFA1) and the Advanced Diploma becomes the Diploma in Business French 2 (DFA2).
Creation of the Certificate in Legal French.

2002

Creation of the B2 guide option as a supplement to the Certificate in French for Tourism and Hospitality.

2007

Creation of the Diploma in Medical French.

2009

The French Language Certificate for Secretarial Work becomes Creation of the French Language Diploma for Secretarial Work B1. Creation of the French Language Diploma for Secretarial Work B2.
Overhaul of all professional French language certifications. Professional French language diplomas now cover six areas and five levels (A2 to C1).

2011

Recognition by the French Ministry of the Interior of Diplomas in Professional French to certify knowledge of the French language for naturalization procedures.

2014

Creation of the A2 Diploma in French for Tourism and Catering and the B1 Diploma in French for Diplomacy and International Relations (at the request of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and in partnership with the International Organization of La Francophonie).

2015

Creation of the A2 French Fashion Diploma.
Creation of Français 3.0, a mobile app for practicing for professional French diplomas (currently being redesigned).

2016

Revision of the Diplomas in French for Business. They now exist for five levels: from A1 to C1, and are available exclusively in electronic format.
Registration of the Diplomas in French for Professions in the Inventory of the National Commission for Professional Certification (France Compétences).

2017

Revision of the Diplomas in French for Tourism, Hospitality, and Catering. They now exist for three levels: from A2 to B2, and are available exclusively in electronic format.

2018

Revision of the Diplomas in French for International Relations. These now exist for three levels: B1 to C1, and are available exclusively in electronic format. Partnership with the International Organization of La Francophonie and educational contribution from the French department of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna.
Recognition by the French Ministry of the Interior of Diplomas in French for Professions to certify knowledge of the French language for residence permit applications.

2019

Certification of the Diploma in French for Business by ALTE’s Q-Mark label: this certifies that the Diploma meets all 18 quality standards set for language certifications by the ALTE association.

2020

Revision of the Diplomas in French for Healthcare. These diplomas now exist for three levels: B1 to C1, and are available exclusively in electronic format.

2024

Renewal of ALTE certification for the Diplomas in French for Business B1, B2, and C1.

Diplomas in French for Professions

About the Diploma

The different areas and levels on offer

Diploma in French for Business

Diploma in French for International Relations

Diploma in French for Healthcare

Diploma in French for Tourism, Hospitality and Catering

Recognition of the Diploma in French for Professions