The Diploma in French for International Relations was created at the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development and the International Organisation of la Francophonie. Both institutions support the use of the French language within international organizations and in international political and diplomatic exchanges.
This diploma was created with the pedagogical collaboration of the French Department of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna.
It assesses the level candidates have attained in comprehension and expression, both written and oral, by evaluating their performance of professional tasks specific to the field of international relations: articles, conventions, presentations, negotiations.
It responds to the need for training and certification in professional French among diplomats, international officials, and journalists, whose first or second working language is often French.
This diploma is intended especially 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.
Activities: Write a summary note, comment on country data, summarize news items, organize a formal event, write an official statement, present a mission or a project, present a country situation, get support in the field, make a thematic presentation, present a position during a negotiation
Themes: Diplomacy, economics, education, human rights, finance, peacekeeping, ecology
We offer three Diploma in French for International Relations, level B1 to C1:
The B1 Diploma in French for International Relations is a certificate confirming CEFRL Level B1 proficiency in French.
The certificate is a confirmation of a basic level of competence in French, where users are capable of effectively understanding others and expressing themselves in the normal situations arising in social and professional life.
Holders of this diploma are able to carry out professional communication tasks, both oral and written, in a predictable context.
Understanding and processing information:
Candidates are able to understand the essential elements of informational documents (numerical data, short press articles, protocol guide extracts, regulations, etc.) and of both internal (colleagues) and external (international partners) messages.
They are able to process or fill out the normal professional documents (commentary on data, press reviews, formal event preparation forms, employment application forms, country files, etc.) most commonly found in the international relations professions.
Candidates are able to choose from the elements provided and organize them in a given format, write simple formal e-mails asking for information or for a response or confirmation in the common professional situations.
Oral interaction:
Candidates are able to participate in common exchanges in their professional context, to present their institution, or the situation of country or a mission, or to explain or negotiate important aspects of an activity.
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Understanding and processing information |
Duration |
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Processing written information |
1. Comment on numerical data concerning a country or on an international theme |
1 hr. 20 mins. |
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2. Summarize the essential points of international current events |
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3. Organize a formal event |
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Processing oral information |
4. Convey the main ideas of a speech |
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5. Write a simple confirmation email |
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Interacting in writing |
6. Respond to a job offer by explaining your motivation for a position |
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Oral interaction |
Duration |
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Activity 1: |
Present a mission or a project and negotiate the details of a mission |
Preparation: 10 mins. Testing: 5 mins. |
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Activity 2: |
Present a country situation on a specific theme (education, culture, health, media) and on activities carried out in this context |
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Total test duration: 1 hr. 50 mins.
The B2 Diploma in French for International Relations is a certificate confirming CEFRL Level B2 proficiency in French.
The certificate is a confirmation of an independent level of competence in French, where users are capable of effectively communicating in a broad range of situations of professional communication.
Holders of this diploma are able to carry out oral and written professional communication tasks in all the standard situations of their professional environment, including those that involve some handling of unforeseen events.
Understanding and processing information:
Candidates are able to understand the important details of the majority of professional written material in an international relations context.
They are able to identify the relevant information in professional documents (notes, e-mails, documents containing figures, action plans, procedures, instructions, etc.) so as to take effective action.
They are able to understand long and structured presentations or interactions, and to take notes in order to draft statements, summaries, reports, etc.
Oral interaction:
Candidates are able to present structured information on major international themes (diplomacy, education, health, culture, security, etc.), and to present relevant arguments so as to convince the persons to whom they are speaking or their audience. They are able to react to arguments presented by others and defend a point of view in presentation or formal interaction situations (meeting, round tables, forums, etc.) whether face-to-face or by phone/videoconference.
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Understanding and processing information |
Duration |
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Processing written information |
1. Draft a summary note to prepare a meeting on an international project |
2 hrs. |
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Processing oral information |
2. Write a report on an oral presentation |
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Interacting in writing |
3. Write a formal response email |
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Oral interaction |
Duration |
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Activity 1: |
Express a point of view on a topic in international relations and present an argument during a multilateral negotiation |
Preparation: 10 mins. Testing: 10 mins. |
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Activity 2: |
Give a presentation on a theme (education, culture, health, etc.) in front of partners |
Preparation: 5 mins. Testing: 5 mins. |
Total test duration: 2hrs 30mins
The C1 Diploma in French for International Relations is a certificate confirming CEFRL Level C1 proficiency in French.
The certificate is a confirmation of competency in French at a fluent level, where users are capable of effectively communicating in a broad range of situations of professional communication.
Holders of this diploma are able to carry out oral and written professional communication tasks in all situations of their professional environment, including those that involve some handling of unforeseen events.
Understanding and processing information:
Candidates are able to understand, in detail, all types of professional written material in an international relations context.
They are able to extract all information from a wide range of professional documents of all lengths (documentary record, specialized press article, diplomatic dispatch, conference, meeting, discussion among experts, etc.) including implicit meanings, so as to act effectively and flexibly.
They are able to understand long and structured presentations/interactions, complex technical information, and take notes in order to draft statements, summaries, reports, etc.
Oral interaction:
Candidates are able to present structured information on major international themes (diplomacy, education, health, culture, security, etc.), and to present relevant arguments so as to convince the persons to whom they are speaking or their audience. They are able to react to arguments presented by others and defend a point of view in presentation or formal interaction situations (meeting, round tables, forums, etc.) whether face-to-face or by phone/videoconference.
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Understanding and processing information |
Duration |
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Processing written information |
1: Write an official statement from a government or an international organization about an international news event based on a documentary record |
2 hrs. |
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Processing oral information |
2: Write a report on an oral presentation |
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Interacting in writing |
3: Write the opening speech for a public event, based on working documents (invitation card, event description, biographical statement/CV) |
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Oral interaction |
Duration |
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Activity 1: |
Obtain support in the field by phone, negotiate |
Preparation: 15 mins. Testing: 10 mins. |
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Activity 2: |
Respond spontaneously to a question requiring an elaborate answer in an employment interview situation |
No preparation Testing: 5 mins. |
Total test duration: 2hrs 30mins.