You can find a lot of different information about language levels and diplomas on the internet; it's often hard to see the wood for the trees. We have therefore provided you with a comprehensive description of the various language levels and the corresponding diplomas. Do you know your French level? Below you will find a free and non-binding way to evaluate it. Determining your language level is very useful for various purposes. If you want to take a French course, a placement test is helpful for choosing the right course level.
When applying for or enrolling at a French-speaking university, language skills usually have to be demonstrated in the form of a French language test. A corresponding French language diploma is therefore obligatory in most cases.
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) provides a helpful grid for the learning level and progress in a foreign language. In this way, different language diplomas can be entered into a standardized cross-language system which forms a benchmark. This serves as a helpful guide when learning a foreign language.
The language levels are categorized as follows:
If your knowledge of French is at level A1, you can communicate easily with your rather limited vocabulary and with the help of facial expressions and gestures. You can deal with everyday situations such as shopping, small talk about the weather, the time or a price negotiation using your hands and feet. If the other person speaks clearly and not too quickly, you will understand what they are trying to say.
Diplomas at this level:
The knowledge of French at this level is a little more in-depth than at level A1. Although grammatical errors can creep in from time to time, everyday situations can be mastered with ease. At level A2, you can talk about your work or studies, what you would like to do in the past or the future, place your orders in a restaurant more easily and write a postcard or a simple message in French.
Diplomas at this level:
If you are at this level in French, you are considered an advanced beginner. At language level B1, you can talk relatively easily about activities, school, studies and work matters. You can talk about your experiences. At level B1, you can express your opinion and give reasons for it. You can follow simple newspaper articles and radio broadcasts well.
Diplomas at this level:
Language level B2 is the transition from advanced beginner to expert level. Once you have reached this level, you will be able to understand more complex texts and demanding conversations and keep up with specialist discussions in your area of specialization. At this level, you can easily hold a fluent conversation with native speakers. You can communicate confidently and clearly even in hectic situations.
Diplomas at this level:
If you are graded at level C1 in French, you can keep up with spontaneous questions and lively discussions on any topic in flawless French. If you have been graded C1, you speak fluent and clear French and have no trouble understanding demanding French specialist texts and books. You understand French jokes and colloquial words. You have no trouble keeping up at work or in lectures in French.
Diplomas at this level:
Level C2 is the highest level that non-native speakers can reach and is the level for absolute professionals of the French language. Once you have reached level C2, you will be able to communicate flawlessly in all subject areas and hold your own in fast and intensive discussions, watch French movies and listen to fast-talking radio broadcasts. You will have reached an immensely high level of French and studying in a French-speaking country will no longer be a problem.
Diplomas at this level:
In most cases, the following standard tests are offered across all levels and have been standardized in various languages. The score obtained determines the language level of the graduate.
The diploma series listed above are very important if you need to prove your language skills when applying. Proof of language level is also very important if you are looking for a place at a university in a French-speaking country.
However, knowing your level of French will also help you to choose a suitable French course. If you want to take a French course, it is essential that you know your current level. This is the only way to find a language course that is neither too much nor too little for you. If you're bored in the French course or if you don't understand a word, you've wasted the course fee because you won't make any progress. That's why it's so important that you take a French language test beforehand. The education portal Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch has developed online language tests that you can take free of charge and without obligation.
Linda, deine Weiterbildungsfinderin
