The path from A1 to C2 in French
A general French course follows the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), the European scale with six levels from A1 to C2. In French, each level brings its own grammar topics.
| Level | What you can do in French | Grammar that often comes next |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | introduce yourself, shop, ask for directions | present tense, articles, negation with ne and pas |
| A2 | talk about work, family and past events | passé composé, questions, reflexive verbs |
| B1 | handle travel and give reasons for an opinion | imparfait, the pronouns y and en |
| B2 | follow discussions and argue a point | subjunctive, conditional |
| C1 and C2 | read specialist texts and phrase things precisely | register, style, passé simple in reading |
There is no official hours table per level for French. Many language schools use the Cambridge English guide value for English, about 200 guided learning hours per level. The Foreign Service Institute (FSI), the language school of the US Department of State, estimates about 690 class hours for English speakers to work confidently in French, which is roughly C1.
English speakers start with a large head start in vocabulary. English took over thousands of French words after the Norman Conquest of 1066, so words such as 'gouvernement' or 'responsable' look familiar from the first lesson. Reading comes quickly, while listening and spelling take longer.
For many adults, B1 is the first big goal. At B1, the third of the six CEFR levels, you get through most situations on a trip to France, Belgium or Quebec without help.
3 hurdles in French for English speakers
French pronunciation causes English speakers more trouble than French vocabulary. Three areas need practice at every level.
1 Vowels English does not have
French separates 'tu' (you) and 'tout' (all). The u in 'tu' is made with rounded lips and the tongue at the front, a vowel English lacks. Nasal vowels are vowels where air flows through the nose, as in 'vin' (wine) and 'bon' (good).
2 Silent endings, liaison and rhythm
Many final letters are silent, so 'ils parlent' sounds like 'il parle'. Liaison links a silent final consonant to the next word, as in 'les amis'. English stresses single syllables strongly, while French spreads syllables evenly and stresses the end of a word group. A general course trains this with short dictations, and a conversation course with listening and repetition.
3 Gender, agreement and two forms of you
Every French noun is masculine or feminine, and articles and adjectives agree with it. French also separates 'tu' for friends from 'vous' for strangers and groups, a choice English never asks you to make.
Learn every noun with its article, so 'la mer' rather than just 'mer'. Gender then sits in your memory when you later make adjectives and past participles agree.
General course or conversation course for French
A general course trains listening, reading, writing and speaking along a fixed syllabus. In French this matters more than in many languages, because spelling and pronunciation are far apart. Learners who only speak easily mix up 'parlé', 'parler' and 'parlez' in writing, because all three sound the same.
A conversation course usually expects A2, the second of the six CEFR levels. It trains free speaking, intonation and everyday situations and suits adults with school French who understand a lot and still speak haltingly.
- ✓A conversation course gives you more speaking time in every lesson.
- ✓It trains liaison and intonation in real conversation.
- ✓It brings back school French quickly.
- ✗A conversation course expects basic French at A2 or higher.
- ✗It often leaves spelling untrained.
- ✗It rarely leads step by step to the next CEFR level.
Many learners combine both course types. They study grammar and writing in a general course and add one conversation lesson a week.
Course formats that suit French
Learners in Europe can take evening classes with teachers in Paris, Lyon or Geneva without a time difference. Learners in North America often book teachers in Quebec, which runs on Eastern Time.
| Format | Strength for learning French | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Live group of 4 to 8 learners | fixed times and conversation with others | little speaking time per person |
| Private lessons | instant correction of sounds and errors | higher price per hour |
| Language app | daily vocabulary and listening practice | hardly any free speaking |
| Language exchange | free conversation with French speakers | no syllabus and no teacher |
A language exchange pairs you with a French speaker by video call, half the time in French and half in English. The Instituts français and the Alliances françaises run French courses in many countries, often online as well.
For general goals, the standard French of France is enough, and the DELF and DALF diplomas are based on it. If you plan to live in Quebec, choose a teacher from Quebec, because local words such as 'courriel' for email and the Quebec accent are part of daily life there.
Always compare prices per 60-minute hour. Some providers sell lessons of 25, 45 or 50 minutes, which makes a package look cheaper than it is.
French courses and exams for children and teenagers
Children and teenagers can take their own versions of the DELF, the official French language diploma of the French Ministry of Education. DELF Prim is designed for children, and DELF junior and scolaire for teenagers, each with topics from their age group's daily life. Like the adult exam, both refer to the CEFR, the six-level European scale.
Online courses for children usually work with shorter sessions than adult courses, with songs, pictures and small groups. Look for a teacher trained in French as a foreign language, a field called FLE (français langue étrangère).
Privacy rules depend on where your child lives. In the EU, Article 8 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requires parental consent under 16 when a service relies on consent, and each country may lower that age to 13. In the USA, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) requires verifiable parental consent before a service collects data from children under 13.
DELF scolaire is meant for school students. Ask your child's school whether it organises the exam before you book a date privately.
Getting started with a placement test and a weekly plan
A placement test measures your CEFR level before the course starts, meaning your position on the scale from A1 to C2. For French it should include a listening part, because many adults with school French read well and understand spoken French less easily.
A sample plan of about five and a half hours a week links the course with daily life.
| Building block | Time per week |
|---|---|
| Live lessons in a group or one-to-one | 2 x 60 minutes |
| French news or podcasts | 5 x 20 minutes |
| Vocabulary with articles in a flashcard app | 5 x 10 minutes |
| Shadowing, meaning repeating straight after a recording | 3 x 10 minutes |
| A short text with feedback | 1 x 30 minutes |
You spend two thirds of this time practising without a teacher. Use the live lessons for free speaking, pronunciation feedback and comments on your writing, because these are hard to get alone.
Start with a small lesson package or a short course. After four to six weeks you know whether the teacher, the pace and the format suit you.
Frequently asked questions about general online French courses
Which French sounds do English speakers find hard in a general online French course?
In a general online French course, English speakers find the u in 'tu', the nasal vowels in words such as 'vin' and 'bon', and the silent endings hardest. The even French rhythm with stress at the end of a word group also takes practice. A course trains these sounds from the first lesson with listening and repetition.
How does a general French course differ from a French conversation course?
A general French course trains grammar, spelling, listening, reading and speaking along a fixed syllabus. A French conversation course gives you more speaking time, practises intonation and liaison and usually expects level A2. Because many French endings are silent, writing needs its own practice in a general course.
How long does a general online French course take to reach level B1?
A general online French course takes roughly 350 to 400 guided learning hours from zero to B1 if you apply the Cambridge English guide value. French has no official hours table per level, and many language schools use this figure for orientation. English speakers with school French at A2 reach B1 considerably faster.
Which French exam can children take after a general online course?
Children can take DELF Prim after a general online French course, and teenagers can take DELF junior or scolaire. Both are versions of the official French diploma DELF with topics from the daily life of each age group. The exam centre, usually an Institut français or an Alliance Française, sets dates and fees.
Which French do you learn in a general online French course?
In a general online French course you usually learn the standard French of France, which the DELF and DALF are also based on. Speakers from France, Belgium, Switzerland and Quebec understand each other. If you plan to live in Quebec, add local vocabulary and listening practice with Quebec speakers.
How many learners are in an online group class for French?
An online group class for French often has four to eight learners. In small groups you speak more yourself in every lesson, while larger groups cost less per hour. Ask about the maximum group size before you book.
Sources
The information is based on these sources. Check fees and dates with the provider before you register.