Learn a foreign language.
Levels of French.
What is my french level ?
- Test my level of French
- What is the level of language in French?
- The 3 general levels of knowledge of French
- What are the 6 levels of French
- The level of French A0.
- The level of French A1.
- The level of French A2.
- The level of French B1.
- The level of French B2.
- The level of French C1.
- The level of French C2.
- How to determine my level of knowledge of French?
French levels A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2
What do these different levels mean to assess my knowledge of French?
The 6 main levels of French allow you to measure at which stage of knowledge of the French language you are. It is a tool developed by the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) for all foreign languages. It is also used for other languages, such as Dutch, English, when they are not my native language, etc.
What is the language level in French?
A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 are the levels of a ranking system that evaluates my knowledge and mastery of French.
This ranking system was developed by the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). It is an essential tool that greatly contributes to the design of French teaching programs that will help you learn French, regardless of your level.
The strength of this evaluation system is based on your skills and on what you are able to do in French. It is a very practical approach.
The levels are defined progressively from A1 to C2, from the most basic knowledge to the fine mastery of French (what is called being bilingual).
The 3 general levels of knowledge of French.
Elementary, independent, and proficient levels
The 6 levels of knowledge are grouped into 3 general levels or stages of autonomy. They mark an important step in the progression of learning a foreign language.
Elementary user: A1 and A2
Independent user: B1 and B2
Proficient user: C1 and C2
What are the 6 levels of French?
The 6 levels of foreign language proficiency: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2.
My level of knowledge of French can be measured using these 6 levels.
There are 6 levels of French, with an additional 7th level: the A0 or pre-A1 level, which corresponds to having absolutely no knowledge of a foreign language. This reference framework allows for easy measurement of language proficiency. It is the first step in determining the level of French courses to follow in order to progress.
French level A1:
Elementary user
French level A2:
Elementary user or false beginner.
French level B1:
Independent user.
French level B2:
Fluent French – Independent user.
French level C1:
Advanced French level – Proficient user.
French level C2:
Proficient user – bilingual.
Test my level of French
How to test my knowledge of French?
It is very simple to determine your level of French knowledge and discover whether you are A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, or C2.
There are 2 methods:
Method 1 – Self-assessment: The competence criteria are very easy to understand, and a simple reading of the criteria will allow you to determine your level.
Method 2 – French level test: In 10 to 15 minutes, you answer a few dozen questions that assess your level.
The CLL offers an online French level test that is very quick to complete and helps determine which level of course you should start with to progress in the foreign language of your choice.
The different levels of french
What is the A0 language level?
The A0 or pre-A1 French level is the most basic level. It corresponds to having absolutely no knowledge of French.
What is the A1 level of French?
The A1 level of French corresponds to an elementary user at the introductory or discovery level.
The skills at the A1 French level include:
- I understand and use familiar, everyday expressions and very simple statements aimed at fulfilling concrete needs.
- I can introduce myself or introduce someone in French.
- I can ask someone questions about themselves and answer similar questions.
- I can communicate in French in a simple way if the speaker talks slowly, distinctly, and is cooperative.
When I am at level A1, it means that I can:
- Introduce myself and use basic greetings in French.
- Speak French with people I know.
- Describe my home and the country where I live.
- Understand and complete a simple online form.
How do I know if my level is A1 in French?
It’s easy! Take our online French test and determine your level in just a few minutes.
Also, explore all our course offerings tailored to the A1 level.
What is the A2 level of French?
The A2 level of French corresponds to an elementary user at the intermediate or everyday level.
The skills at the A2 French level include:
- I understand isolated sentences and frequently used expressions related to everyday situations (for example, simple personal and family information, shopping, work, etc.).
- I am able to communicate in French for simple and routine tasks that only require exchanging basic and direct information on familiar and common topics.
- I can describe my education, my immediate environment, and talk about topics related to my immediate needs using simple French.
When I am at level A2, it means that I can:
- Talk in French about my daily activities.
- Order at a restaurant or make an appointment.
- Ask for and understand simple directions to get from one place to another.
- Understand a tourist brochure in French.
- Describe the weather and suggest activities.
- Ask for services, such as phone or computer repairs.
- Talk about my last vacation.
- Compare different objects.
How do I know if my level is A2 in French?
It’s easy! Take our online French test and determine your level in just a few minutes.
Also, explore all our course offerings tailored to the A2 level.
What is the B1 level of French?
The B1 level of French corresponds to an independent user at the threshold level.
The skills at the B1 French level include:
- I understand the essential points of a conversation when clear and standard language is used, especially about familiar topics at work, school, leisure, etc.
- I am independent in French in most situations encountered when traveling in a region where the target language is spoken.
- I can produce simple and coherent speech in French on familiar topics and areas of interest.
- I can tell a story, describe an experience or dream, explain a hope or goal, and briefly provide reasons or explanations for a project or idea.
When I am at level B1, it means that I can:
- Interact in French with my friends on social media.
- Follow and participate in a meeting in French.
- Understand book or movie reviews.
- Organize private and professional social events.
- Manage in most travel situations (hotel, restaurant, museum, etc.).
- Understand the main ideas of an article from a French newspaper or magazine.
- Organize my trip, such as flights, schedules, and appointments when there are delays.
- Discuss my future plans, for example, where I want to live and what I will do in the coming years.
How do I know if my level is B1 in French?
It’s easy! Take our online French test and determine your level in just a few minutes.
Also, explore all our course offerings tailored to the B1 level.
What is the B2 level of French?
The B2 level of French corresponds to an independent user at an advanced or independent level. It is also known as being able to speak French fluently.
The B2 French level
I speak French fluently!
The skills at the B2 French level include:
- I understand the essential content of concrete or abstract topics in a complex text in French, including technical discussions in my field.
- I can communicate spontaneously and easily with a native speaker.
- I express myself clearly and in detail on a wide range of topics, and I can give my opinion on a current issue and outline the advantages and disadvantages of different possibilities.
When I am at level B2, it means that I can:
- Understand conversations in a noisy environment.
- Exchange information on social and environmental issues, such as retirement or pollution.
- Identify references to the past, present, and future in live broadcasts.
- Write a detailed newspaper or magazine article on an event, project, or research initiative.
- Defend my point of view in a debate on contemporary issues.
- Understand acronyms and abbreviations used in social media forums.
- Understand podcasts on cultural, social, and political topics.
- Summarize a report describing political changes.
How do I know if my level is B2 in French?
It’s easy! Take our online French test and determine your level in just a few minutes.
Also, explore all our course offerings tailored to the B2 level.
What is the C1 level of French?
The C1 level of French corresponds to an experienced user at an autonomous level.
The skills at the C1 French level include:
- I understand long and demanding French texts and grasp implicit meanings.
- I express myself spontaneously and fluently in French without having to search for words too much.
- I use the language effectively and flexibly in social, professional, or academic life.
- I express myself on complex subjects clearly and well-structured, and I control linguistic tools for organizing, linking, and cohesion in speech.
When I am at level C1, it means that I can:
- Express myself effortlessly in social and professional situations, giving my opinion on a variety of complex topics.
- Understand TV programs, films, podcasts, and idiomatic and colloquial expressions used.
- Understand long and complex reports, articles, literary texts, and identify fine details, attitudes, and opinions.
- Write an essay, report, or letter on complex topics, expressing myself clearly, in detail, and with structure.
How do I know if my level is C1 in French?
It’s easy! Take our online French test and determine your level in just a few minutes.
Also, explore all our course offerings tailored to the C1 level.
What is the C2 level of French?
The C2 level corresponds to an experienced user at a mastery level.
The C2 level of French
I am bilingual.
The skills at the C2 level include:
- I can effortlessly understand almost everything I read or hear.
- I can summarize facts and arguments from various written and spoken sources in a coherent way.
- I express myself spontaneously, fluently, and precisely, and can distinguish fine shades of meaning on complex topics.
How do I know if my level is C2 in French?
It’s simple! Take our online French test and determine your level in just a few minutes.
Also, explore all our course offerings tailored to the C2 level.
