Purpose: International Relations

The Diploma in French for Professions in International Relations B1 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.

The DFP in International Relations 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).

The DFP in International Relations 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.

Who is it for?

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.

Level:

The B1 Diploma in French for International Relations validates competency in French at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It represents approximately 250 hours of study.

It certifies competency in French at an independent level, thus confirming the user’s ability to understand and express him/herself in common social and professional situations.

The holder of this diploma can carry on common types of professional communication, both oral and written, in a predictable context (understanding others and expressing themselves in the normal situations arising in social and professional life).

Assessment:

Understanding and processing information:

The candidate is able to understand the essential elements of informational documents (numerical data, short press articles, protocol guide extracts, regulations, etc.) and of both internal message (colleagues) and external messages (international partners).

The candidate is able to process or fill out common professional documents (commentary on data, press reviews, formal event preparation forms, employment application forms, files, etc.) most commonly found in the international relations professions.

The candidate is able to use elements that are supplied to him/her and organize them in a given format, write simple formal e-mails to request information or request a response/confirmation in common professional situations.

Communicating orally:

The candidate is able to participate in common exchanges in his/her professional context, to present his/her institution, the situation of country or a mission, and to explain or negotiate important aspects of an activity.

Examples of activities and topics:

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

Test components:

The DFP in International Relations B1 consists of two sections that must be taken together during one exam session:

• Understanding and processing information:  1 hr. 15 mins, on computer.
• Interacting orally in person with an examiner: 30 mins (20 mins preparation + 10 mins conversation)

Understanding and processing information		Duration
Processing written information	1. Commenting on numerical data concerning a country or an international issue	1 hr. 20 mins.
	2. Summarizing the essential points of international current events
	3. Organizing a formal event
Processing oral information	4. Conveying the main ideas of a speech
	5. Writing a simple confirmation email
Interacting in writing	6. Responding to a job offer by writing an application letter

 

Communicating orally		Duration
Activity 1:	Presenting a mission or a project and negotiating all relevant details	Preparation: 10 mins. Testing: 5 mins.
Activity 2:	Presenting the current situation of a country on a specific theme (education, culture, health, media) and on activities conducted in this context

Total test duration: 1 hr. 50 mins.

Recommended preparation:

FRCH 309. French for Diplomacy and International Relations. 3 Units.

French for Diplomacy is an upper-level course with a focus on learning the linguistic and socio-cultural competency specific to the professions associated with diplomacy and international relations within the Francophone world. The course will outline the characteristics of European institutions and will focus on interpersonal and social relations necessary for working within them. In this course, students will develop their communication and comprehension skills through oral and written activities in the context of authentic situations of negotiations, thematic presentations and reports including missions and projects. Some examples of themes covered are negotiations in the professional world, economics, social and human rights, finance, education, peacekeeping and ecology. Finally, whenever possible, the course will be complemented by cultural exchanges in conjunction with programs featured by the French Consulate in Chicago. Counts for CAS Global & Cultural Diversity. Prerequisite: FRCH 202

Registration details:

Contact the IFSPEC for test preparation material, registration periods and exam session dates.

If you think your situation calls for specific arrangements due to a recorded disability , please contact the exam center manager before registering: Fabienne Pizot-Haymore.

Registration closes eight days before the exam session. Please contact fgh2@case.edu upon registration to verify your information is complete and your registration was taken into account. You must have received an official convocation email from the IFSPEC–in addition to a debit/credit card receipt.

All candidates must enter their ID number on the exam registration page. All candidates will be required to display this ID on the day of the test.

Cancellations, Absences, Refunds 

In the case you must cancel your registration more than 8 days before the scheduled TEF or DFP test session, a cancellation fee will be charged in the amount of $30.00.

Any request for cancellation of your registration under 8 days before the scheduled TEF or DPF test session, and/or your absence on the day of the TEF or DFP test session, must be duly documented with your exam center. In such a case, exam/test fees are non-refundable, but the exam/test may be rescheduled at a later time. Please note that any exam/test may be rescheduled only ONE time.

All relevant medical and/or professional documentation must be submitted to the IFSPEC Exam Center who will forward it to the CCI Paris Ile-de-France. Only unforeseen conflicts (illness, professional reasons, death and bereavement or other valid circumstances) may be considered.

Exam/test fees are non-refundable for any undocumented absence from the scheduled TEF or DFP test session.