French Level Guide
Understand where you are and what each level means for your French learning journey.
A1 — Beginner
A1.1
Discovery
First contact with French — recognizing and reproducing isolated words and memorized phrases
What you can do
Can recognize familiar words and very basic phrases related to themselves, their family, and immediate surroundings. Can use simple greetings, introduce themselves with rehearsed phrases, and respond to basic yes/no questions.
Example
Je m'appelle Marie. J'aime le café et les croissants.
A1.2
Early Beginner
Survival communication — understanding familiar everyday expressions and participating in short exchanges
What you can do
Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases about personal details and daily routines. Can ask and answer simple questions and participate in short, predictable social exchanges.
Example
Le matin, je prends le bus pour aller au travail. J'arrive au bureau à huit heures.
A2 — Elementary
A2.1
Elementary
Basic autonomy — understanding routine information and describing immediate surroundings
What you can do
Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of immediate relevance such as personal information, shopping, and local geography. Can describe their immediate environment, daily routines, and basic needs in simple terms.
Example
Le week-end dernier, je suis allé au marché avec ma famille. Nous avons acheté des légumes et du fromage.
A2.2
Strong Elementary
Functional independence — handling routine tasks, narrating past events, and expressing simple opinions
What you can do
Can communicate in routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar topics. Can narrate simple past events, express basic preferences and opinions, and understand short narratives.
Example
Quand j'étais enfant, j'habitais à Lyon. Maintenant, je travaille à Paris et j'aime découvrir de nouveaux restaurants.
B1 — Intermediate
B1.1
Early Intermediate
Emerging independence — understanding main points and producing simple connected text on familiar topics
What you can do
Can understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters such as work, school, and leisure. Can deal with most situations likely to arise while travelling. Can produce simple connected text on familiar or personal-interest topics.
Example
Je pense qu'il est important de lire chaque jour. Ça aide à améliorer son vocabulaire et à mieux comprendre la culture française.
B1.2
Strong Intermediate
Real communication — expressing opinions, justifying viewpoints, and handling unexpected situations
What you can do
Can understand extended speech and follow complex lines of argument on familiar topics. Can express and justify opinions, describe experiences and events, and explain plans and expectations with some detail.
Example
Bien que les transports en commun soient pratiques, beaucoup de gens préfèrent encore leur voiture pour des raisons de confort et de flexibilité.
B2 — Upper Intermediate (Not available yet)
B2
Upper Intermediate
Fluency and clarity — expressing detailed views on real-world topics with confidence
What you can do
Can understand the main ideas of detailed text on a wide range of subjects. Can interact with fluency and spontaneity. Can produce clear, detailed text and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue.
Example
La question du changement climatique est au cœur des débats politiques actuels. Les gouvernements cherchent des solutions durables, mais les avis divergent sur les mesures à adopter en priorité.
C1 — Advanced (Not available yet)
C1
Advanced
Sophisticated expression — producing well-structured and detailed text on complex subjects
What you can do
Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts and recognise implicit meaning. Can express ideas fluently and spontaneously. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic, and professional purposes.
Example
L'essor de l'intelligence artificielle soulève des questions fondamentales sur l'avenir du travail. Si certains y voient une opportunité d'innovation, d'autres redoutent une précarisation croissante des emplois qualifiés.
C2 — Mastery (Not available yet)
C2
Mastery
Native-like command — full stylistic control and precision in all contexts
What you can do
Can understand virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different sources, reconstructing arguments. Can express themselves spontaneously, very fluently, and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning.
Example
La littérature française du XXe siècle témoigne d'une quête incessante du sens à travers l'exploration des méandres de la mémoire et de l'identité — de Proust à Perec, le style devient lui-même un objet de réflexion philosophique.