I'm finally starting to prepare for the Insead language exams. After two months of procrastination, it's about time.
The two exams that I am taking are the DELF (A4) and the DELE (Básico). These levels correspond to Insead's "Level III" on their language proficiency scale. As defined, it means "Ability to communicate with some structural accuracy and fluency about general interest and familiar business topics". I used to run projects in Madrid in Spanish, but I'm not so sure how I will fare on these exams. I'm pretty sure that they will be difficult.
I knew that I needed some preparation books, so I went to a local bookstore. They searched high and low but didn't come up with anything. I asked them where else to look, and they said to go to Schoenhof's. Schoenhof's, I said? Yes, came the replay, "the largest foreign language bookstore in the Boston area... it's just one block that way." Perfect.
So I ordered a slew of preparation books. After 15 minutes of explaining what I was looking for, one of their helpful staff found some books and said that they had to be special-ordered. I told him to order "all of them", and call me when they arrived. I picked them up yesterday, and now have four prep books (two for each language) with which to occupy myself for the next six weeks.
I'm not even sure when the exams are... let's check: DELF is on October 12, DELE on November 9. I suppose I should study the French first, no? Indeed. This will be difficult. Perhaps I'll call some tutors as well for help. Anyone know of any good French tutors in Cambridge or Boston? I need some serious help!
So we'll study the French first. I have three books from which to choose. They are:
- Delf 450 Activités A1 A2 A3 A4
- Grammaire 450 Nouveaux Exercices Niveau Intermédiaire
- Delf unité A3 oral écrit livret d'activités
I think the second book was thrown into my order; I don't think it has anything to do with the Delf exam. But I can start with the first, and study for the A1 section.
Looks like this will be a long few months.
5:51:18 PM 
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