Beginner French A1
Learn about French A1 Topics
CORE Languages follows the CEFR standard, so each level covers a specific set of topics. To make learning more manageable, we break each level into two parts.
French A1 is split into two parts so you can focus on specific topics and review them without repeating the whole level. Find the free lessons, exercises and quizzes on the French A1 hub.
A1.1 is designed for the true beginner, someone who has had no previous experience with the French language. It covers basic vocabulary, the differences between être and avoir, and introduces regular verbs ending in -er in the present tense. The activities in Level 1 focus on helping each student to speak French, using a controlled and limited vocabulary.
This part continues to focus on the present tense and covers how to use regular verbs ending in -ir and -re, reflexive verbs as well as common irregular verbs. It also introduces the near future, prepositions of place, demonstratives and specialized vocabulary.
After completing these levels, you’ll be able to:
understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type.
introduce yourself and others and ask and answer questions about personal details such as where they live, people they know and things they have.
interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
French A1 is split into two parts so you can focus on specific topics and review them without repeating the whole level. Find the free lessons, exercises and quizzes on the French A1 hub.
Level A1.2 introduces the past tense with the passé composé and includes more advanced irregular verbs, verb + verb constructions and relative pronouns.
This part also focuses on the differences between the passé composé and the imparfait (imperfect) tenses and helps students fine-tune their abilities to speak of past events. It also introduces direct and indirect object pronouns, partitive articles and prepositions of time.
After completing these levels you’ll be able to:
understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type.
introduce yourself and others and ask and answer questions about personal details such as where they live, people they know and things they have.
interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
Common French Topics
Discover All French CEFR Level Topics
Whether you are a complete beginner or an advanced learner, our lessons follow the CEFR level standards below. Dive into each level to learn about the topics it covers, then find free lessons for each available level on the French hub.
Don’t know your French level? Take our French Placement Test.
Most students choose to take a basic French language course so they can learn a new language, get to know a different culture, have the chance to start working in a French company, comfortably travel around a French speaking country, get in touch with their heritage, and many more reasons.
Learn basic French with free, interactive French A1 lessons for beginners and build a foundation for A1 French certificate exams.
Content covered in French A1 will help learners understand and use familiar, everyday expressions and very simple sentences, which relate to communicating basic needs. Learners can introduce him/herself and others as well as ask others about themselves – e.g. where they live, who they know and what they own – and can respond to questions of this nature. Can communicate in a simple manner if the person they are speaking to speaks slowly and clearly and is willing to help.
Whether you’re looking to learn French to relocate, for work, or just for fun, it can feel daunting knowing where to start. Our free French A2 lessons guide you step by step.
Content covered in French A2 will help learners understand sentences and commonly used expressions associated with topics directly related to his/her direct circumstances (e.g. personal information or information about his/her family, shopping, work, immediate surroundings). Learners can make him/herself understood in simple, routine situations dealing with a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and common topics. Can describe his/her background and education, immediate surroundings and other things associated with immediate needs in a simple way.
The world moves quickly nowadays, and sometimes it can feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day, so the idea of taking a French course can feel daunting. What if we told you that you can study B1 French online for free, at your own pace, with our French B1 lessons?
Content covered in French B1 will help learners understand the main points when clear, standard language is used and the focus is on familiar topics associated with work, school, leisure time, etc. Learners can deal with most situations typically encountered when travelling in the language region. Learners can express him/herself simply and coherently regarding familiar topics and areas of personal interest. Learners can report on experiences and events, describe dreams, hopes and goals as well as make short statements to justify or explain his/her own views and plans.
If you’re ready to learn at the B2 level, we don’t need to tell you how to learn a language, you’ve been working hard at it already! It’s time to expand your vocabulary, work a little harder at complex subjects and tackle real-world scenarios that will help your confidence grow.
By the end of this level, you’ll be able to understand complex texts, spontaneously interact with native speakers with relative ease, produce detailed texts on a wide range of subjects and write and explain your viewpoints. At this stage, challenge yourself with plenty of reading, writing and listening practice that matches your interests.
If you’ve made it this far, you’re already pretty advanced with the French language, so well done. You can understand grammar and form complex sentences, and now it’s time to cement that learning, including work-based technical language and more. By the end of C1, you will be adept at speaking French in the workplace, socially, or in an educational setting.
At C1, you’ll understand demanding texts easily and be able to present complicated information in a clear, concise way. Not sure where you stand? Take our free CEFR French placement test to find your level, and read our CEFR guide to see what each level means.