How to prepare for your DELF B1 writing test

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You want to take the DELF B1 exam and wonder how to prepare for the writing part?
French via skype helps you prepare for the DELF B1, guaranteeing you 100% success.

At the B1 level, students become confident communicators in French, capable of engaging in a wide range of everyday interactions and expressing themselves effectively in both spoken and written forms.

Please note that to immigrate or become citizens in French-speaking countries must demonstrate B1 proficiency as part of their language requirements.

In this post we will put the focus on how to prepare for the DELF B1 written part, and its writing topics

The DELF B1 writing part generally requires candidates to complete a written task of around 180 words in 45 minutes, which generally leaves plenty of time without stress.

How to prepare for the DELF B1 writing part?

Succeeding in the DELF B1 writing requires preparation, practice, and effective strategies.

Here's how to prepare for the DELF B1 writing so you can improve your performance:

  1. Understand the Instructions: Read the instructions carefully for each writing task. Pay attention to the requirements, such as the format (letter, email, essay), word count, and specific points you need to address.
  2. Practice Writing Regularly: Set aside time to practice writing in French regularly. Choose a variety of topics and practice different types of writing tasks, such as informal letters, formal emails, descriptive essays, and opinion pieces.
  3. Expand Your Vocabulary: Work on building your vocabulary in French, especially related to common themes and topics that may appear in the exam. Learn synonyms, idiomatic expressions, and transition words/phrases to improve the fluency and coherence of your writing.
  4. Review Grammar and Sentence Structure: Review essential grammar rules and sentence structures at the B1 level. Practice using different verb tenses, conjunctions, prepositions, and sentence connectors to convey your ideas effectively.
  5. Plan Your Writing: Before you start writing, take a few minutes to plan your response. Outline the main points you want to include, organize your ideas logically, and decide on the structure of your text (introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion).
  6. Focus on Clarity and Cohesion: Write clearly and concisely, avoiding overly complex sentences or unnecessary details. Use paragraph breaks to separate different ideas and ensure a logical flow of information throughout your text.
  7. Address All Parts of the Task: Make sure to address all parts of the writing task in your response. Answer the questions posed, address the specific points requested, and provide relevant details or examples to support your ideas.
  8. Proofread Your Writing: Take time to proofread your writing before submitting it. Check for spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, and punctuation errors. Make any necessary corrections to ensure your writing is accurate and polished.
  9. Manage Your Time Wisely: Practice managing your time effectively during the exam. Allocate enough time for each writing task, including planning, writing, and proofreading. Stick to the recommended word count and avoid spending too much time on any one task.
  10. Seek Feedback: If possible, seek feedback on your writing from a teacher, tutor, or language partner. They can provide valuable insights, identify areas for improvement, and offer suggestions to help you strengthen your writing skills.

By following these tips on how to prepare for the DELF B1 writing and practicing consistently, you will improve your writing skills and increase your chances of success.

What are the DELF B1 writing topics?

The DELF B1 writing topics for the task can vary, but they generally cover a range of everyday situations and scenarios that candidates might encounter in real life.

Here are some common writing topics for the DELF B1 exam:

  • Informal Letter or Email:
    Write an email to a friend describing your recent vacation or a memorable experience.
    Write a letter to a family member explaining your plans for an upcoming event or celebration.
    Write an email to a colleague inviting them to a social gathering or event.
  • Formal Letter or Email:
    Write a letter to a hotel manager to inquire about room availability and make a reservation.
    Write an email to a potential employer expressing your interest in a job vacancy and attaching your CV.
    Write a letter to a local authority expressing your opinion on a community issue and suggesting possible solutions.
  • Narrative or Descriptive Essay:
    Write a story or narrative about a memorable experience or adventure you had recently.
    Describe a place you visited or a person you admire, using vivid language and sensory details.
    Write an essay expressing your views on a social or cultural topic, such as the importance of family or the impact of technology on society.
  • Expressing Opinions and Arguments:
    Write an opinion piece on a current event or issue, stating your position and providing reasons to support your viewpoint.
    Argue for or against a controversial topic, presenting both sides of the argument and offering your perspective.
    Write a persuasive essay advocating for a specific course of action or proposing a solution to a problem.
  • Narrative Writing Based on Visual Prompt:
    Write a story or narrative based on a series of pictures or a visual prompt provided by the examiners.
    Describe what you see in the image and create a story or scenario around it, incorporating characters, settings, and plot elements.

These are just a few examples of the DELF B1 writing topics you might encounter in the exam. The specific tasks may vary depending on the exam session, but they generally assess your ability to communicate effectively in writing and express yourself clearly and coherently on a variety of topics.

Prepare for the DELF B1 exam with our DELF tutor

At French via Skype, our French tutor is a native French with international experience with more than 15 years’s teaching French in Europe and has had the opportunity to accompany many students (adult and children) in order to best support them in their learning of French.
Certified in FLE (French as a Foreign Language), our French tutor has great expertise in the different levels of French required and will be able to guide you throughout your learning of the language so that your level meets the specific expectations of the DELF B1 exam knowing exactly what the difficulties may be for candidates preparing for exams of this type.

DELF B1 courses with French via Skype, how does it work?

French via Skype offers you a full range of individual online DELF courses, materials and assessments to help you better understand the French language, prepare for all parts of the exam and in particular the DELF B1 writing test and pass the exam.

Our online DELF B1 courses are accessible to people who already have an A2 level. If you do not have an A2 level, we can help you reach the minimum level required to start preparing for the exam.

Our online DELF B1 courses are delivered via Skype, Zoom or Teams or on the platform of your choice covering all aspects of the French language in order to best support you in your objectives.

Our DELF tuition is personalized, tailored to your specific needs and pace allowing you to achieve your goals more effectively than in a group or classroom setting.

  • We will design a personalized study plan for you, based on your specific needs and your language level.
  • We offer an effective preparation with tailored learning materials (full range of DELF B1 ressources and assessments).
  • Our French lessons target key areas such as listening, reading, writing and speaking and meticulously work on each grammar point such as French connectors or the subjunctive to ensure that each area meets the requirements required for the DELF B1 exams.
  • For homework, we will assign you work to practice grammar, develop your vocabulary and prepare written and oral comprehension, written and oral production tasks. The homework will then be prepared and reviewed.
  • We offer you great planning flexibility. Our French tutor is available all year, during the holidays and after work hours.

Our online DELF B1 courses are ideal for practicing the standard exam tests and receiving personalized feedback in order to pass the exam successfully!

At French via Skype, we are happy to support French students taking the DELF B1 exam to guarantee their success.

Some testimonials from students who have prepared the DELF B1 exam with us are below.

” As a native English speaker who has lived in Geneva for several years, I have had quite a few not-so-successful attempts at improving my French. That all changed after I started my lessons with Laure! Very quickly Laure identified the “gaps” in my French and we began work on them. Laure is very dedicated to the lesson planning and sends feedback soon after each lesson with vocabulary and grammar points to work on and to keep momentum. Her help in preparing me to pass the B1 exam was invaluable. More than anything, I have more confidence to interact in French, which has been fantastic to my work and everyday life. I would highly recommend Laure – if you want to learn or improve your French, she is the best teacher you will find! Thank-you Laure! “

Eleanor Curtis, Head of Finance
(DELF B1) Geneva

“Laure was a great support during my preparation for DELF B1, thanks to her courses, I was able to pass with flying colors with a score of 92%!
We worked on each part of the exam, and she made me review all the vocabulary for each of the themes and she was able to make me assimilate the required grammar in a methodical way, this helped me a lot because I had quite a bit of gaps in my writing.
Not only was I able to pass my DELF exam but I also gained confidence with my speaking which helped a great deal in my day to day life. I highly recommend Laure's classes to anyone who wants to take the DELF! Thank you Laure!

Suzanna Langle, Researcher
(DELF B1) Brussels

“ 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

‍At French via Skype, we specialize in preparing for the DELF B1 exam, you can certify your French language level with all the required French knowledge and with complete confidence.

If you would like to discuss your needs with us, we will be pleased to develop a teaching plan for you.

If you are interested in our online DELF B1 preparation courses, do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or if you would like to sign up for lessons.

À bientôt !