How can you determine your level of French?

To find out your level in French, compare what you can do with the levels of the European framework, take a placement test for a first estimate, then have your level assessed by a teacher, in speaking and in writing. In this article, I present these levels, explain why your level can vary from one skill to another, and show you how I assess it in a lesson.

The levels of the European framework

In Europe, language levels follow a common grid: the CECRL¹Cadre européen commun de référence pour les langues (in English: CEFR, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages): the grid that describes the levels, from A1 to C2. It is used for all languages, not just French.

The grid has six levels, divided into three groups:

• A1 and A2 : you are a basic user;
• B1 and B2 : you are an independent user;
• C1 and C2 : you are a proficient user.

Each level is described by what you can do with the language: introduce yourself, tell a story, argue a point. It's not about the number of words you've learned or the rules you know, but about the situations you can handle.

Level A0 is not part of the official grid. It's used when you start from zero. I teach from level A0 to level C1.

The levels, as I name them

On thefleow, each level has a name. It helps you picture the situation you can handle. For each one, I give you an example sentence: it's not a student's sentence, it's an illustration of what you can say at that level.

A0 — The first hello (absolute beginner)

You start from zero: the very first words, introducing yourself, greeting someone, asking a simple question. You leave with enough to say hello, spell your name and count: your very first sentences in French.

Bonjour, je m'appelle Anna. A-N-N-A.

Here, you greet someone, introduce yourself and spell your first name letter by letter.

A1 — The little coffee (discovery)

You can have a short conversation about everyday life: ordering, asking for directions, talking about yourself. You understand simple sentences and make yourself understood in everyday situations.

Je voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît.

Je voudrais is the polite form of je veux. You learn it very early, as a ready-made phrase, to order or ask for something.

A2 — The apéro (elementary)

You talk more easily about familiar things: plans, recent memories, everyday life. You tell stories in the past, express your tastes and handle everyday exchanges without getting stuck.

Le week-end dernier, je suis allée à la mer avec des amis.

This sentence tells a recent memory. It uses the passé composé²the most common past tense in spoken French: "je suis allée", "j'ai mangé".

B1 — The dinner that goes on and on (threshold)

You manage on your own: telling a story, explaining, giving your opinion, dealing with something unexpected. You follow a conversation with several people and keep going on topics that matter to you.

À mon avis, le télétravail a des avantages, mais on se sent parfois seul.

You give your opinion with à mon avis, then add a nuance with mais.

B2 — The lively debate (advanced)

You argue and add nuance: debating, defending an idea, understanding what is implied. You express yourself clearly and in a structured way, even on abstract topics or current affairs.

Bien que cette idée soit intéressante, elle me paraît difficile à appliquer.

You acknowledge the other person's point of view before defending your own. Bien que is followed by the subjonctif³a verb mood used after certain expressions: "bien que ce soit", "pour que tu viennes" : soit, not est.

C1 — Just like home (autonomous)

You're at ease everywhere: humor, nuance, registers. French becomes natural. You play with what is left unsaid and with expressions idiomatiques⁴expressions whose meaning can't be worked out word for word, in writing as well as in speaking.

Elle n'a pas sa langue dans sa poche.

Word for word, the sentence means nothing. It means: this person speaks easily and always knows what to answer.

After C1, the grid has one last level, C2, the level of mastery. To see each level in detail, go to the levels page.

Why you don't have just one level

You may have a different level depending on what you're doing in French. That's normal.

The European framework distinguishes several activities:

• understanding spoken French;
• understanding written French;
• speaking;
• writing.

For example, you may read a newspaper article without difficulty, but search for your words when you speak. Or the opposite: speak easily, but hesitate as soon as you have to write a message.

In a foreign language, there are always gaps between these skills. I see it in my students, and it's completely normal. What matters is knowing how to work on them.

For that, you need a space where you feel confident. You can make mistakes without fear. A mistake is not a failure: it's a way to make progress.

Taking the placement test online

For a first idea, you can take my placement test. It's free and requires no sign-up. It starts at level A1 and goes up step by step to C1: at each step, grammar and vocabulary questions, a short text to read and an audio clip to listen to. Allow 5 to 20 minutes.

The test measures what you understand and what you can recognize. It doesn't measure your speaking: for that, you have to speak. That's why I complete it with an assessment in a lesson.

How I assess your level

On thefleow, the assessment takes place during the expresso lesson. It's a first lesson: we talk together, and it's also a trial lesson.

The expresso lesson lasts 50 minutes, or two lessons of 25 minutes. It costs €30. You'll find the details on the pricing page.

During this lesson, I offer you:

1. many questions, which you answer in French;
2. a short text to read;
3. comprehension questions about this text;
4. grammar exercises;
5. short writing exercises.

While you answer, I observe. I look at grammar mistakes, the vocabulary you use, the way you build your sentences. And I give you time to speak: nobody is rushing you.

This level also allows me to guide you. The conversation workshops are organized by level, and I'm the one who tells you which workshop suits you.

What about official exams?

The expresso lesson gives you an idea of your level so we can work together. It doesn't give you a diploma.

If you need an officially recognized level, for a job, studies or an administrative procedure, there are exams. The best known are the DELF, the DALF and the TCF. I'll devote an upcoming article to them, to help you choose.

Do you have other questions about the lessons? Check the FAQ.