B1 French course with Lingoda

A B1 French course is designed for intermediate-level learners. Before taking B1 level French classes with Lingoda, you should already have a solid foundational knowledge of the French language and should be at  A2 level French, or equivalent, on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

If you’re unsure of your current language level, take our  free placement test.

The B1 French course focuses on providing you with the skills needed to have everyday conversations and deal with the most common situations you may encounter during travel. With Lingoda’s course, the focus is on putting your skills into practice in classes, with a particular focus on speaking the language in a supportive environment.

Once you make sufficient progress in your B1 level French lessons, you’ll earn the B1 certificate.

Read more on  how to get CEFR certified with Lingoda.

If you’re starting out with no knowledge of the French language, you can expect to take anywhere from 360 to 400 hours of classroom-based learning to reach the level where you earn a B1 level French certificate.

Of course, anyone exploring  how long it takes to learn French will need to take individual circumstances into account. For instance, your own attitude to learning, the languages you already know and the amount of time you can spend studying in your own time can all have an impact on the total time to reach B1 level.

Lingoda’s classes are structured to maximize learning efficiency. You’ll learn from qualified, native-level teachers and study in a welcoming environment, with a small number of students at roughly the same ability level you are.

No, B1 level French can more accurately be described as an intermediate level of French speaking ability. By the time you earn your certificate, you’ll be able to communicate fairly freely in familiar situations and you’ll have a good grasp on the language. You’ll feel comfortable discussing topics like work, school and recreational activities.

Crucially, at B1 level, you’ll be able to deal with the most common situations encountered day-to-day.

There’s no universally accepted definition of fluency, but it’s generally believed to occur somewhere around the B2 and C1 levels. This means by the time you earn your B1 level French certificate, you’ll be well on your way.

At Lingoda, we believe the best way to learn French is through instructed learning, occurring in a supportive environment, taught by qualified, native-level speakers. This helps to ensure any mistakes you make are corrected quickly and you develop the confidence to speak the language in realistic scenarios.

Nevertheless, independent study has a valuable role to play alongside classroom-based learning. You should try to spend time learning in your own free time and there are many ways to do this. In particular, it can be helpful to immerse yourself in the language by listening to French songs, or  watching French movies to improve your listening skills.

By the time you earn your B1 French certificate, you’ll be able to:

• Understand and deal with conversations about common topics like work, school and leisure.
• Deal with the most commonly encountered travel situations.
• Describe events, ambitions and hopes, while sharing your own opinions.
• Produce simple texts about topics of interest to you.

More specifically, the B1 level French course from Lingoda covers the following topics:

• How to apply for a job, including discussing employment terms.
• How to discuss life in both the city and the countryside.
• How to talk about cultural differences, including beliefs and traditions.
• How to speak about environmental issues and solutions.
• How to understand and discuss topics around social media and online security.

If you’re starting a B1 level French course with Lingoda and you’ve previously earned your A2 certificate – or are at an equivalent language level – you can expect to take around 200 hours to reach B1 level. The precise amount of time will depend on factors like your dedication to learning and the amount of independent study you add to this.

You can choose between our  Flex course or our  Sprint course, depending on your preference. The Sprint course is designed for rapid progress and allows you to squeeze up to 60 classes into a two-month period. The Flex course adopts a more relaxed pace and allows you to learn at an intensity level that suits you.