FWCD French Teachers Earn Prestigious DELF Examiner Status

French Teachers Andréanne Annis (Upper School), Névine Watkins (Lower School) and Rob Napier (Middle School) completed the training necessary to become DELF (Diplôme d’études en langue française) examiners, which enables Fort Worth Country Day to become an official exam center for the DELF exam. FWCD is the first JK-12 school in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex to earn this distinction. FWCD’s French program is an American Association of French Teachers Exemplary Program with Honors.

The Diplôme d’études en langue française is an official, high-quality diploma harmonized with the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This diploma is recognized worldwide and is valid for life. Depending on the level achieved, the DELF can facilitate acceptance to universities in France, Europe, or French-speaking countries and some grandes écoles universities. 

“In today’s globalized economy, this diploma gives FWCD students the opportunity to have a tangible certification recognized around the world,” Napier said. “Earning the first level of the diploma at an earlier age is gratifying and allows students to make quantifiable progress within a proven, highly developed framework. In addition to developing the four key skills of listening, reading, speaking and writing, students’ cultural awareness will improve, too. Overall, I feel it will strengthen their linguistic foundation when they progress from Middle School to Upper School.”

Alison Robinson, Chair of the Modern and Classical Language Department and 2021 Perry and Nancy Lee Bass Distinguished Teacher Chair in Upper School, added, “I am incredibly grateful to my French colleagues for their hard work and continuous efforts to support our French language students and to help prepare them to be ready to participate fully in our increasingly interconnected global community. Spanish looks forward to following their lead by becoming DELE certified.”

The DELF training course took place online and was led by Emilie Nolf at the Alliance Française de San Francisco with a cohort of other French teachers around the country. “The course was intellectually stimulating and challenging as we interacted collaboratively, looking at various aspects of students’ work and learning the criteria to assess it accurately,” Napier said. 

Annis appreciated the challenge the certification granted. “I am thankful for the lifelong certification this will provide for our students at any level,” said said. “What a beautiful symbol of their linguistic abilities and growth!” 

Watkins added, “Taking this rigorous DELF training with my peers in French was an amazing experience. Through this exam, FWCD will provide a lifetime recognized certification for French language proficiency, which can be useful for future academic and career opportunities. This examination can also boost students’ confidence in their ability to speak French, even for our little Falcons.”

The DELF exam will be introduced in the 2024-25 academic year. More details can be found at france-education-international.fr/en/diplome/delf-junior-scolaire.