Exam Preparation
Emma, a PhD candidate from Edinburgh, had secured a research fellowship at Sorbonne University but needed DALF C1 certification to begin. Her academic background in literature gave her a strong foundation, but she needed advanced writing skills, complex argumentation, and academic presentation abilities at C1 level.
Our 6-month programme focused on academic essay writing, research presentation practice, advanced grammar refinement, and sophisticated vocabulary development. Emma practiced writing synthesis essays from multiple sources, argumentative texts on complex topics, and formal academic correspondence. Speaking sessions involved presenting research findings, defending positions in debates, and discussing abstract concepts.
We used authentic academic materials: journal articles, conference presentations, and university lectures. Emma learned to structure complex arguments, use advanced connectors, and express nuanced opinions. Mock exams every two weeks tracked her progress and built exam confidence. She scored 82/100 on the DALF C1 exam, demonstrating mastery across all skills, and began her research fellowship at Sorbonne in September, fully prepared for academic life in French.
Programme Details
- Duration: 6 months (48 sessions)
- Format: One-to-one intensive sessions twice weekly
- Level progression: B2 to C1
- Focus areas: Academic writing, research presentations, advanced grammar, complex argumentation, exam strategies
- Outcome: DALF C1 score of 82/100, research fellowship at Sorbonne University