French Level Guide
Understand where you are and what each level means for your French learning journey.
A1 — Beginner
A1
Beginner
First contact with French — recognizing and reproducing isolated words and participating in short exchanges
What you can do
Can recognize familiar words and very basic phrases related to themselves, their family, and immediate surroundings. Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases about personal details and daily routines. Can use simple greetings, introduce themselves with rehearsed phrases, ask and answer simple questions, and participate in short, predictable social exchanges.
Example
Je m'appelle Marie. J'aime le café et les croissants.
A2 — Elementary
A2
Elementary
Basic autonomy — understanding routine information and describing immediate surroundings with simple narration
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. Can communicate in routine tasks requiring simple and direct information exchange, narrate simple past events, and express basic preferences and opinions.
Example
Le week-end dernier, je suis allé au marché avec ma famille. Nous avons acheté des légumes et du fromage.
B1 — Intermediate
B1
Intermediate
Emerging to real communication — understanding main points and producing 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 to well-connected text on familiar or personal-interest topics. 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
Je pense qu'il est important de lire chaque jour. Ça aide à améliorer son vocabulaire et à mieux comprendre la culture française.
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.
