Cahier #3 : Note à soi

I took this from what used to be my personal writings. I discovered everything in my old French-Speakers file. And... this was one file found among tens of others. I reckon that this is a note to self, which I wrote some two years ago after I finished my B2. This is how it went (translation at the bottom) :

Ici, le concept est simple, mais au même temps, compliqué ; c’est le paradoxe des prochains niveaux– je grandis ; mes pensées, mes passions et mon expression grandissent aussi. La maturation de l’étudiant est importante, en tout cas. C’est où l’on comprend des conversations et des textes super vite en français, avec une seule écoute (et rien d’autre). C’est où l’on exprime des idées avec beaucoup d’argumentation, peu de difficultés, et plus d’intérêt. Cette fois, le diplôme obtenu est approfondi ; cette fois, si on réussit, les autres ne se disputeront plus sur les résultats. Cette fois, il n'y a que de la langue soutenue.

Avec ça, on pourrait s’appeler francophones. C’est sûr.
Bienvenue au DALF, où l’étudiant doit faire ses preuves.

Here, the concept is simple, but at the same time, complicated ; this is the paradox of the next levels -- I grow up, and so do my thoughts, my passions and my expressions. The maturity of the student is important, in all cases. This is where people understand very fast conversations and texts in French, with only one listen (and nothing else). This is where ideas are expressed with a lot of arguing, less difficulty, and more interest. This time, the qualification is profound ; this time, if we succeed, others will not fight amongst each other over the results. This time, there is only high language.

With this, we would call ourselves francophones. Surely.
Welcome to the DALF, where the student has to prove himself.

DALF is short for Diplôme Approfondi de la Langue Française (which translates to “profound qualification of the French language”) – “diplôme” here does not translate to our English “diploma”. I'm now on a journey to prove myself. I'm now embarking on a quest to leave my mark - not only amongst French-speakers, but the people around me too. I pray you, Lord, that you guide me and be with me through the next three tests.

P.S. Oh, and grand merci to Zara for her congratulary note.