DELF B1 Syllabus: Your Gateway to Intermediate Fluency

DELF B1 Syllabus: Your Gateway to Intermediate Fluency

The DELF B1 syllabus represents a major step for learners aiming to achieve genuine independence in their language journey. It bridges the gap between basic knowledge and advanced fluency, where students move from forming simple sentences to expressing opinions, sharing experiences, and participating in conversations with confidence.

Far more than just a list of topics or grammar points, the DELF B1 syllabus is a carefully structured roadmap designed to help learners use the language effectively in real-life situations. It focuses on building communication skills for study, work, travel, and everyday interactions.

What Is the DELF B1 Level?

The DELF (Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française) is an internationally recognized certification awarded by the French Ministry of Education. The B1 level corresponds to the intermediate stage of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

At this level, learners can:

• Understand the main points of clear speech on familiar topics.
• Handle most travel situations in regions where the language is spoken.
• Produce simple, connected text on topics of personal interest.
• Express feelings, opinions, and ambitions with reasonable fluency.

The DELF B1 syllabus is designed to measure both accuracy and the ability to communicate naturally and effectively.

The Core Components of the DELF B1 Syllabus

The DELF B1 syllabus is divided into four key skill areas: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Each one reflects practical communication in everyday life.

1. Grammar and Structure

Grammar plays a central role in the DELF B1 syllabus, allowing learners to build more complex sentences and express themselves more clearly. Students are expected to know:

• Past tenses such as passé composé and imparfait.
• Future and conditional forms for describing plans or hypothetical situations.
• Pronouns: direct, indirect, and relative.
• Linking words and connectors (e.g., parce que, cependant, donc) to express cause, contrast, and consequence.

By mastering these structures, students can write and speak with greater precision and confidence.

2. Vocabulary Development

The DELF B1 syllabus expands vocabulary to cover a wide range of everyday and social topics, including:

• Environment and sustainability
• Work and studies
• Media and technology
• Travel and leisure
• Health and wellbeing
• Current affairs and culture

This thematic vocabulary helps learners understand authentic materials such as articles, interviews, and radio clips.

3. Listening and Reading Comprehension

The DELF B1 syllabus aims to improve comprehension skills through exposure to real-life materials.

Listening tasks may include:

• Short conversations or interviews
• News segments or instructions
• Everyday dialogues and announcements

Reading tasks may include:

• Advertisements and letters
• Articles and extracts from magazines
• Opinion pieces and online posts

Learners are encouraged to identify key information, tone, and context — skills essential for both exams and real-life communication.

4. Writing and Speaking Production

The DELF B1 syllabus places strong emphasis on practical expression.

In writing, learners may be asked to:

• Write an email, formal letter, or short essay.
• Describe events or personal experiences.
• Express an opinion or respond to a specific topic.

In speaking, tasks often include:

• A short self-presentation or monologue.
• An interactive conversation.
• A role-play or debate based on a given prompt.

These activities help build confidence in real-world communication.

Evaluation and Structure of the DELF B1 Exam

The DELF B1 syllabus prepares learners for the official DELF B1 examination, which evaluates four key skills — listening, reading, writing, and speaking — each carrying equal weight.

• Listening (25 minutes – 25 marks)
  Tests comprehension of short audio recordings such as announcements, interviews, or everyday conversations.
• Reading (35 minutes – 25 marks)
  Assesses understanding of written materials taken from real-life sources like articles, advertisements, or personal letters.
• Writing (45 minutes – 25 marks)
  Requires candidates to produce written texts such as letters, essays, or responses that describe experiences or express opinions.
• Speaking (15 minutes – 25 marks)
  Evaluates oral communication skills through three parts: a short presentation, an interactive conversation, and a discussion based on a prompt.

To pass the DELF B1 exam, candidates must score at least 50 points out of 100 in total, with a minimum of 5 points in each section. The DELF B1 syllabus ensures that learners are well-prepared for each component and confident in their performance.

Why the DELF B1 Syllabus Matters

The DELF B1 syllabus is not just a learning plan — it’s a milestone of progress and a gateway to new opportunities. Achieving a B1 level demonstrates that a learner can communicate independently, understand and respond to everyday situations, and express opinions with confidence.

With a DELF B1 certificate, learners can:

• Apply for jobs or internships that require intermediate language proficiency, giving them an edge in the global job market.
• Study in institutions that recognize the DELF qualification, including universities and specialized programs in French-speaking countries.
• Travel or live abroad with greater ease, as B1 proficiency allows learners to manage daily life, navigate services, and engage with local communities.
• Integrate into society, since in many countries a B1-level certificate is a requirement for long-term residency or citizenship applications.
• Access French media, culture, and literature more deeply, including newspapers, films, podcasts, and literature, fostering a richer understanding of cultural nuances.
• Build a strong foundation for DELF B2 and beyond, which is often required for French citizenship, and opens doors to advanced fluency, professional opportunities, and academic achievements.

In short, mastering the DELF B1 syllabus is not just about passing an exam — it’s about gaining practical language skills that unlock personal, professional, and civic opportunities, including eligibility for French citizenship, and helps learners fully participate in French-speaking environments and communities.

Tips for Excelling in the DELF B1 Syllabus

Excelling in the DELF B1 syllabus requires consistent practice and smart learning habits. Here are some helpful strategies:

1. Immerse yourself daily – Listen to podcasts, watch videos, or read short texts in the target language.
2. Keep a vocabulary notebook – Organize new words by theme and review them regularly.
3. Practice writing – Short diary entries or opinion paragraphs help strengthen grammar and structure.
4. Speak often – Join conversation clubs or practice with partners to build confidence.
5. Simulate exam conditions – Use past DELF B1 papers to test your timing and accuracy.

Steady exposure and active use of the language make all the difference in achieving progress.

Prepare for the DELF B1 Exam with French via Skype

At French via Skype, we specialize in helping learners master the DELF B1 syllabus and prepare for the DELF B1 exam with expert guidance.
Our DELF tutor is a native French speaker with over 20 years of international teaching experience across Europe. Having guided numerous students — both adults and children — our tutor knows how to support learners at every stage of their French journey.

Certified in FLE (French as a Foreign Language), our tutor has extensive expertise in all DELF levels and can help you develop the skills required to meet the specific expectations of the DELF B1 syllabus. With a deep understanding of the challenges candidates often face, we provide targeted guidance to ensure you are fully prepared.

Online DELF B1 Courses – How They Work

We offer individual online DELF B1 courses designed around the DELF B1 syllabus, including structured materials, practice exercises, and assessments to help you master all parts of the exam, with particular focus on the writing test.

• Suitable for learners with at least A2 level: If your level is below A2, we can help you reach the required foundation before starting your B1 preparation.
• Flexible online lessons: Delivered via Zoom, Teams, or your preferred platform, covering all aspects of French to support your learning objectives.

Personalized, Targeted DELF Tuition

Our DELF B1 tuition is fully personalized and tailored to your pace and specific needs, offering more effective learning than group or classroom settings:

• Custom Study Plan: Receive a personalized study plan based on your level and goals.
• Tailored Materials: Access a full range of DELF B1 resources and assessments designed according to the DELF B1 syllabus for effective exam preparation.
• Comprehensive Coverage: Lessons focus on listening, reading, writing, and speaking, with attention to key grammar points, such as connectors and the subjunctive.
• Homework with Feedback: Assignments include grammar practice, vocabulary development, and preparation for written and oral comprehension and production, all corrected with detailed feedback.
• Flexible Scheduling: Lessons are available year-round to fit your schedule.

Our online DELF B1 courses follow the DELF B1 syllabus closely, helping you practice standard exam formats, receive personalized feedback, and approach the DELF B1 exam with confidence.

Proven Results

Since 2014, French via Skype has helped students succeed in mastering the DELF B1 syllabus and achieve excellent results in the DELF B1 exam.
Our students consistently praise our interactive, engaging, and highly effective lessons:

“ I undertook 11 months of lessons to prepare the DELF B1 with Laure and was amazed by how much my French improved over this time. I had not studied French since high school, and prior to these lessons, could not have imagined being able to hold a conversation in French. Laure’s interactive and engaging lessons quickly became a highlight of my week. Laure emphasises practicing speaking the language - all our lessons were conducted completely in French and even during casual conversation, she encouraged discussion of sociopolitical issues. She has a lot of experience in preparing students for the DELF exams and her expertise in this area shone through during lessons as she guided us through the syllabus in a relatively short period of time. I highly recommend Laure for anyone considering learning French - she’s an extremely effective teacher and she gave me the confidence to continue developing my skills in the language.”

Dr Dana Lee

(DELF B1) Melbourne

" I’m studying with Laure for about one year now and I’m very satisfied with her very targeted and well-organised French lessons. If you like to invest your limited time well and aiming for a fast improvement of your French level Laure is the right teacher for you. The lessons are intense and you better be well prepared and do your homework as Laure is a very strict teacher ;). First I found it very challenging to work so hard on my pronunciation but I realized quickly that this is key to a higher level of French. Also I was very happy about the amount of time one talks in her lessons as I know from my own German teaching experience that this is crucial for an improvement of the communications skills. Together with Laure I prepared for the DELF B1 and thanks to her I passed it with incredible 91%. I could highly recommend her as French teacher. “

Erika Mantrino, German teacher

(DELF B1) Lausanne

" Laure is an Exceptional French Teacher
‍I had the absolute pleasure of working with Laure to prepare for the DELF B1 exam, and I can confidently say that she played a key role in my success. From the very first lesson, Laure demonstrated not only a deep understanding of the French language but also a remarkable talent for teaching it in a way that was clear, engaging, and perfectly tailored to my level and learning style.
What sets Laure apart from other teachers is her ability to make each session both productive and enjoyable. She has a calm, encouraging approach that immediately put me at ease, even when tackling tricky grammar points or practicing oral expression—my biggest challenge. Her lessons were always well-structured, combining conversation practice, listening exercises, vocabulary building, and mock exam questions that mirrored the real test format.
Laure was also incredibly attentive to my progress. She gave thoughtful, constructive feedback and offered practical tips for improving not just my language skills but also my confidence. Thanks to her guidance, I felt fully prepared going into the exam and achieved a score I’m really proud of!
If you're looking for a skilled, supportive, and genuinely inspiring French teacher, I can’t recommend Laure highly enough. She’s an outstanding instructor who truly cares about her students’ success."

Karen Karbo

(DELF B1) author, France

At French via Skype, we specialize in preparing students to master the DELF B1 syllabus, helping you certify your French language level with confidence and all the necessary skills.

If you would like to discuss your learning needs, we would be happy to create a personalized study plan tailored to you. For more information about our online DELF B1 preparation courses, or to sign up for lessons, please contact us at French via Skype.

À bientôt !