French language qualifications apart from GCSE

[BadSkiingMum]

Hello, does anyone have experience of their teenager taking a French language qualification that isn’t GCSE?

I am aware of DELF and could get to Institute Francais. Would DELF A2 be equivalent to the first year of GCSE?

Any experiences of taking the DELF, ideally at an elementary level? Or perhaps an accredited QCF Level 1 or 2 course? Or some kind of test that can be taken online. I know these qualifications exist but am not sure where to find the providers.

Just out of interest, is there a Spanish equivalent?

Thanks.

MFL is my subject but I don’t know a huge amount about these qualifications. Looking at the papers for DELF A2 though, and doing some basic research online, I would suggest they are roughly on a level with the higher tier of GCSE, rather than just year 10. The written paper is shorter that the GCSE one but the level is fairly high. Same with the reading and listening tests.

Is this something you are looking at for a HE student? Or one younger than 14-16 who has good mother tongue knowledge?

Ah ok, thanks @clary for taking a look - so maybe A1 is a better option to start off. Where did you find the papers?

I am interested in finding a way to accredit prior learning for a teen who may not take the GCSE for various reasons. Currently getting around a 5 on the higher paper, sometimes a 6.

Any alternative qualifications around? Years ago I did an evening language course and got an NCFE Level 1 Certificate, but that doesn’t seem to exist now.

I just found the papers with a quick online search. Sample papers but they show the level.

The thing is with other quals, it’s GCSE that is recognised in England (assuming they are here and planning to stay). Could they not take the GCSE as a private candidate? Maybe at F level if getting a 5? F is significantly more straightforward than H (as it should be).

Thanks @clary. There are other reasons/advantages for them not taking the GCSE, but it would just be nice for them to get some kind of qualification for what they have done. I will look for the sample papers online.