French level B1

Strengthen your language skills and gain independence in everyday life, while enjoying an enriching cultural experience.
Please note: before starting, a placement test is mandatory to determine the most suitable learning path for your level when registering or during an advising appointment.
According to the Cadre Européen Commun de Référence pour les Langues, CEFR, level B1 is completed in*:

• Immersive course: 3 sessions
• Intensive course: 4 sessions
• Extensive course and French 360: 7 sessions

*Depending on your placement test results, these durations may vary.
Book an advising appointment (link)

What is level B1?

Level B1, known as the threshold level, corresponds to the third stage of the CERCL. At this stage, learners express themselves with confidence and understand more complex texts. They can take part in conversations with native speakers without difficulty.
It allows you to:

• Understand the main points of a clear conversation on familiar topics (work, studies, leisure)
• Take part in a discussion by explaining opinions and briefly justifying them.
• Understand the main ideas of written and audiovisual media about current events or personal and professional topics.
• Express your opinions, feelings, and experiences both in writing and speaking

Thus, level B1 consolidates acquired independence and prepares learners for fluent and nuanced communication before moving on to level B2.

What is level B1 for?

By taking French courses at level B1, you will be able to:

• Tell about a dream or an experience
• Understand radio or television programs
• Express your emotions or feelings
• Give your opinion on a cultural event, a film, or a book
• Debate social issues

What are the objectives of level B1?

The educational objective of level B1 is simple: to strengthen learners’ ability to express themselves independently and to understand a variety of messages in order to communicate effectively in familiar contexts.
At the end of the level, you will be able to:

• Understand the main points of a clear conversation on familiar or current topics (work, family, shopping, leisure)
• Express your needs and opinions clearly and in a structured way
• Write a coherent text (complaint letter, personal letter, report)
• Describe events in detail (imperfect tense, near future, conditional)
• Understand various written materials (articles, instructions, internal memo)

Level B1 consolidates A2 achievements and naturally prepares learners for progression to level B2, where they become independent and capable of expressing complex ideas fluently.

What does the B1 French course include?

The program for B1 French courses is based on all communicative and linguistic skills defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
It develops four main areas:

• Listening comprehension
• Speaking, both continuous and interactive
• Reading comprehension
• Writing skills

Each session at the Alliance Française de Lyon includes:

• A practical grammar point adapted to the level
• Vocabulary useful for expanding everyday lexical knowledge
• Exercises on varied topics and content, including texts and writing activities
• Audio activities to develop speaking fluency and pronunciation.

Take part in the school’s cultural activities to fully experience the French language and improve your skills.

Method & support at our French school

At the Alliance Française de Lyon, learning French is above all a cultural immersion and a human experience. Our teachers are all certified experts (Master’s degree, FLE certification) who use a communicative and action-oriented method. From the very first day, learners are encouraged to speak and interact in order to progress naturally in French.
Courses use the textbooks Défi actuel (A1–A2) and Défi (B1–B2), available in a hybrid edition with videos, tutorials, and pronunciation exercises. The Apolearn learning platform centralizes materials, exercises, and videos for an interactive and comprehensive experience.
Our experienced teachers ensure consistent progress with clear objectives and final tasks for each session. Learners develop skills they can use in their daily and professional lives.
Learning French in Lyon with the Alliance Française de Lyon is much more than taking a course: it means living the language every day, progressing quickly, and discovering the richness of French culture.