French CEFR Levels Explained: A1, A2, B1, B2 and C1
CEFR Overview
The CEFR is the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. It measures language ability across listening, speaking, reading and writing. It is grouped into A beginner, B independent user, and C proficient user. Each band has two stages, giving A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. Most learners, including GCSE and A level students, aim for A2 to B2. C1 is for advanced academic or professional contexts.
Quick Level Comparison
| Level | What you can generally do | Who typically needs it |
|---|---|---|
| A1 Beginner | Use simple phrases, introduce yourself, handle very familiar situations | Absolute beginners, short trips, early GCSE study |
| A2 Elementary | Manage routine tasks, describe daily life, simple past and future | Completing GCSE, independent travel |
| B1 Intermediate | Handle most daily situations, share opinions and experiences | Study or short term work in France, stronger GCSE and early A level |
| B2 Upper Intermediate | Interact naturally, follow complex speech, write structured texts | University study in French, professional roles, exchanges |
| C1 Advanced | Fluent and precise on complex topics, understand nuance | Academic study, professional communication, DALF C1 |
A1 French
Who it is for: Absolute beginners. You can introduce yourself, ask and answer very simple questions, and understand slow, clear speech about familiar topics.
Typical situations: Ordering in a café, saying where you live, basic travel needs.
What you should know:
- Regular -er verbs such as parler, aimer, regarder
- Core phrases such as Je m'appelle..., J'habite à..., Je voudrais...
- Numbers, days, months, family, food and travel vocabulary
Example tasks at A1:
- Introduce yourself in 4 to 6 sentences
- Order a drink and a snack
- Ask for directions using simple question forms
Move from A1 to A2: Practise short dialogues daily, listen to slow French audio, and build vocabulary by theme such as home, school, hobbies and weather.
A2 French
Who it is for: Learners who can handle short exchanges and understand common topics related to daily life.
Typical situations: Describing routines and preferences, booking accommodation, giving simple opinions.
What you should know:
- Tenses: present, perfect (passé composé), near future (aller + infinitive)
- Reflexive verbs such as se lever, s’appeler
- Connectors such as mais, parce que, quand, alors
Example tasks at A2:
- Describe your day using present tense plus time phrases
- Write a 100 word paragraph about a recent weekend using the perfect tense
- Talk about plans using the near future
Move from A2 to B1: Read short articles or graded readers, speak in full sentences daily, and write short opinion paragraphs each week.
B1 French
Who it is for: Learners who can handle most daily situations and express ideas with some detail.
Typical situations: Discussing plans, experiences and hopes, explaining opinions, understanding the main points of clear speech or news.
What you should know:
- Present, perfect, imperfect, conditional and simple future
- Structures such as il faut, on doit, and first conditional si clauses
- Paraphrasing strategies when vocabulary is missing
Example tasks at B1:
- Give a 2 minute talk about a personal experience with reasons and examples
- Summarise a short news item and share your view
- Write a 180 to 220 word opinion piece with an introduction, reasons and a conclusion
Move from B1 to B2: Watch films with French subtitles then none, join conversation exchanges, and practise longer writing with clear structure and linking phrases.
B2 French
Who it is for: Learners who interact naturally with native speakers, follow complex arguments, and write structured texts.
Typical situations: Debating familiar topics such as environment, technology or culture, following lectures when the subject is familiar, drafting reports.
What you should know:
- Subjunctive mood in common triggers such as il faut que, bien que, pour que, avant que
- Relative clauses, reported speech, and nuanced adjective agreement and pronouns
- Idioms such as avoir du pain sur la planche and discourse markers such as cependant, en revanche, néanmoins
Example tasks at B2:
- Lead a 5 minute discussion defending a position with counterarguments
- Write a 250 to 300 word essay with thesis, arguments, examples and conclusion
- Follow a documentary and take structured notes
Move from B2 to C1: Read novels and opinion columns, record and review your speech for precision and register, and expand topic specific vocabulary for study or work.
C1 French
Who it is for: Learners who can express themselves fluently and spontaneously, including on abstract or complex topics, and who understand nuance and implied meaning.
Typical situations: Giving presentations, writing academic essays or professional reports, chairing meetings, understanding cultural references and irony.
What you should know:
- Confident control of all tenses and moods including the subjunctive and sequence of tenses
- Wide academic, cultural and professional vocabulary with precise register
- Conventions for formal writing and public speaking in French
Example tasks at C1:
- Deliver a persuasive presentation with audience Q and A
- Write a 350 to 500 word analysis comparing viewpoints with citations where needed
- Summarise and critique a feature article or chapter with nuanced commentary
Towards C2: Live and work in French, study literature and advanced nonfiction, and refine stylistic choices and cultural nuance.
How To Level Up Effectively
Weekly Skill Focus
- Week 1 vocabulary expansion by theme
- Week 2 listening focus with daily 10 minute audio
- Week 3 writing focus such as three 120 word texts
- Week 4 speaking focus such as three 5 minute monologues
Input and Output Balance
Consume more than you produce, yet speak daily. Aim for 2 units of listening or reading for every 1 unit of speaking or writing.
Tracking Progress
Take a placement test or DELF style paper every 8 to 12 weeks. Log words per minute in listening and words produced in writing.
Immersion Habits
Switch phone and apps to French, follow French creators, keep a mini phrasebook of your top 50 personal sentences.
Worksheets, Tutoring and GCSE Resources
For Beginners
Start with structured, bite sized practice and simple explanations.
GCSE Worksheets by Theme
Targeted practice mapped to common GCSE themes helps you hit A2 to early B1 outcomes.
Theme 1
Identity and culture such as family, technology, free time and customs.
Theme 2
Local area, holidays, social issues, healthy living and environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which level do I need for GCSE?
Most GCSE learners end around A2 with strong students touching low B1 in receptive skills. Focus on high frequency vocabulary, time phrases, and the perfect, imperfect and near future tenses.
How long to go from A1 to A2?
With 15 to 30 minutes daily and weekly writing or speaking practice, many learners reach A2 in 3 to 6 months. Consistency beats cramming.
What certificates map to these levels?
DELF A1, A2, B1 and B2 correspond to those levels. DALF C1 covers C1. GCSE does not formally certify CEFR, but its outcomes align roughly with A2.