Self-assessment is not easy, and many online tests only provide a rough idea of a learner's skills. For example, good pronunciation matters, but it’s difficult for a student to evaluate their own ability.
Are there official reference tools recognized worldwide? How can one determine their level in French on their own? After a language stay in France, how can you maintain your level in French and keep practicing the language once back in your home country?
For non-specialists,
three levels generally help distinguish learners.
– Beginners: when the student is just starting out.
– Intermediate: when the learner can communicate in various situations.
– Advanced: refers to a student who speaks the target language fluently.
But this is not enough to allow precise assessment.
Do you know the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”? If not, know that it’s a “common base” that includes a set of criteria to assess a learner’s language proficiency. This tool, created in 2001, is very useful in teaching because it serves three main goals: “learning,” “teaching,” and “assessing.”
Based on the
CEFR, the
DELF (Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française) is a diploma issued by the French Ministry of National Education and Youth. It is internationally recognized and has no expiration date.
For candidates who do not wish to take the
DELF, the
TCF (Test de Connaissance du Français) is intended for students, interns, and professionals who want to evaluate their French level. The
TCF includes, among others, three mandatory multiple-choice tests covering levels A1 to C2.
Level A refers to “basic users”, and includes both the “introductory or discovery level” (A1) and the “elementary or routine level” (A2).
A student at A1 level can “understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases” for practical needs. They can also “introduce themselves” or “introduce someone else.”
If you can talk about topics related to “immediate needs” (leisure, shopping, work, etc.) and you can “understand isolated phrases and frequently used expressions,” then you are at A2 level.
Level B refers to “independent users.”
It includes “threshold level” (B1) and “advanced or independent level” (B2). B1 is characterized by the ability to “handle most situations encountered when traveling,” to “tell an event, an experience or a dream,” and to “briefly explain reasons or opinions about a plan or idea.”
Level C includes “proficient users”, divided into “autonomous level” (C1) and “mastery level” (C2).
You’re not afraid of nuances, idiomatic expressions, or long texts anymore!
Our school, the Centre International d’Antibes, offers French courses from beginner level (A0) to upper-intermediate (B2). Whether you are an adult, a junior, or wish to prepare for the DELF exam, our programs are tailored to all profiles and goals.
At the end of your stay or your online French course, your teachers may recommend readings (novels, magazines, etc.) to help you maintain your level. Our educational site, Le Français et Vous, also offers exercises (grammar, phonetics, vocabulary, etc.) and updates on French cultural news (cinema, literature, music…). It's perfect to keep your skills fresh!
