How to Self-Evaluate Your French: A Guide to Understanding Your Level
- Up your French
- Oct 25, 2024
- 5 min read
You've been living in France for some time, your partner speaks French (it may even be his mother tongue), but you still have doubts about your command of the language.
I realize from talking to many of you that it's difficult for you to estimate your own level, especially when you have to choose between several courses for your next program.
Before I start, I'd like to remind you that at UpYourFrench, yes, I respect the progression and levels recommended by Europe, but I only offer programs adapted to your needs and objectives where I can mix several levels to really suit your situation.
Anyway, to feel fully at home in your daily life in France, it's crucial to know where you stand in your learning process.
Self-assessment can help you identify your strengths and areas for improvement.
But how do you go about it?
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is the reference for naming your level (it has become the main reference, but it's not the only one).
But in the end, A1, A2, B1, C1, C2, it doesn't speak to you. And you're right! What counts is understanding what you can do in French.
Before you start, remember that you have access to a free evaluation test here.
Let's take a look at some of the things you can do to find out your level.
Understanding your level of French in the 4 key skills: reading, listening, writing and speaking
Learning French, as with almost all languages, is broken down into four key skills, all of which need to be assessed individually to get an overall picture of your level:
Reading: Can you read (and understand) a simple text, such as an e-mail or a note, or a restaurant menu? Can you understand a longer, more complex text, such as a newspaper article or an administrative letter?
Listening: Can you understand everyday conversations or dialogues in a TV series? Can you follow a radio program?
Writing: Can you write a professional e-mail or WhatsApp message without too many mistakes?
Speaking: Are you at ease in spontaneous conversation, or hesitant when asked open-ended questions? Can you explain your ideas and take responsibility?
These skills can evolve at different rates.
For example, you might be comfortable with reading comprehension, but still find it difficult to express yourself orally.
Self-assessment will help you identify these gaps, so you can focus your learning effectively (according to your goals).
The CEFR: a framework to help you get your bearings
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) divides language levels into six categories: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2.
Here's a brief description of each level to help you situate yourself:
A1 (beginner): You can understand and use familiar, everyday expressions. Examples: introducing yourself, asking simple questions like “Where's the train station?”.
A2 (elementary): You can communicate in simple, straightforward tasks. Examples: ordering in a restaurant, buying a train ticket.
B1 (intermediate): You're starting to take part in more complex discussions, giving your opinion on everyday subjects. Examples: talking about personal experiences, understanding a story.
B2 (advanced): You can interact with a certain degree of fluency with native speakers without too much effort. Examples: discuss current affairs, express nuanced opinions.
C1 (autonomous): You can understand a wide range of complex texts, including technical ones, and express yourself spontaneously and fluently.
C2 (mastery): Your level is almost equivalent to that of a native speaker; you can understand and use very complex structures with ease.
If you'd like to read the CEFR self-assessment grid, you can download it here.
To assess your own performance, it's also important to understand the difference between simple and complex speech:
Simple speech: short sentences, present tense verb conjugations, few subordinates. Examples: “I'm going to the market.”
Complex speech: Longer sentences, verbs conjugated in several tenses, idioms and subordinates. Examples: “Although I'm tired, I'm still going to the market.
To give you an idea, the same piece of information can range from the simplest to the most complex:
Je dois parler français. I need to speak French.
J'ai besoin de progresser en français, parce j'habite en France. I need to improve my French, because I live in France.
Comme j'habite en France, je voudrais me sentir chez moi. Alors, il faut que je m'améliore en français. As I live in France, I'd like to feel at home. So I need to improve my French.
J'habite en France depuis plusieurs années et il est nécessaire que mon français soit à un niveau avancé pour pouvoir m'intégrer complètement et trouver un nouvel emploi. I've been living in France for several years, and my French needs to be at an advanced level if I'm to integrate fully and find a new job.
Le français ? Pff, les doigts dans le nez ! French? Pff, fingers down!
When you evaluate yourself, try to see whether you often limit yourself to simple structures or whether you use more elaborate sentences fluently.
Why self-evaluation of French is important?
Self-assessment not only gives you an overview of your progress, but also enables you to set realistic goals. For example, if you're currently at A2 level in listening comprehension, but B1 in written expression, you'll know where to focus your efforts.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself to help you better assess yourself:
Are you at ease in everyday situations, or do you often find conversations difficult?
Do you tend to repeat the same words or structures, or are you trying to expand your vocabulary?
Can you write a short e-mail or text without making many mistakes?
Scenarios to illustrate your level
Let's imagine a few situations to help you evaluate yourself:
Ordering in a restaurant (A1-A2): Can you place your order without hesitation?
Conversation with a neighbor (B1): If a neighbor tells you about his plans for the weekend, can you follow the conversation and take part?
Current affairs debate (B2-C1): Can you discuss current affairs with French friends, expressing your opinions without difficulty?
The importance of setting realistic goals for your French progress
Once you've taken stock of your level, you can set yourself some concrete goals, for example:
Improve your listening skills by watching French TV series with subtitles.
Improve your written expression by writing a daily diary.
Participate in language exchanges to improve your oral fluency.
Self-assessment questionnaire (according to CEFR)
Listening comprehension: Can you understand familiar words and common expressions when people speak?
A1: I can understand only a few isolated words, if people speak slowly.
A2: I can understand simple sentences on familiar topics.
B1: I can understand the main points when people speak clearly.
B2: I can follow complex speeches without too much effort.
C1: I can understand radio and TV programmes without difficulty.
C2: I can follow very complex discussions without difficulty.
Speaking: Can you talk without preparation?
A1 : I can use very simple sentences.
A2: I can interact in everyday situations.
B1: I can handle conversations on familiar topics.
B2: I can take part in conversations on a variety of topics.
C1: I can express myself fluently and spontaneously.
C2: I can talk about very complex subjects without hesitation.
Written expression: What text can you write?
A1 : I can write very short sentences.
A2: I can write short, simple texts.
B1: I can write clearly on a variety of subjects.
B2: I can write detailed essays and reports.
C1: I can write long, well-structured, detailed texts.
C2: I can write with a precise style, including academic texts.
Conclusion: Ready to go further?
Self-assessment is the first step in focusing your learning and achieving your goals. To go even further and set specific goals for your level, book a call to discuss your objectives with us.
Together, we can define a personalized plan to help you feel at home in French.
To your success 💙
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