A1 level in French: the first step towards making yourself understood

You have just moved to French-speaking Switzerland, or you have simply decided to start learning French. You recognise a few words on the signs, you can guess the beginning of an announcement at the station, but as soon as a real conversation starts, everything goes far too fast.

The A1 level corresponds precisely to the moment when that impression begins to change. It is not fluency yet, but it is the step between understanding nothing at all and being able to say who you are, ask a simple question and be understood by the person in front of you.

How long does it take to reach A1 level in French?

There is no single timeline that applies to every learner. On average, reaching A1 level from the very beginning of your learning journey takes around 60 to 150 hours of lessons, depending on your pace and your learning conditions.

For a complete beginner, this first stage is mainly about building the foundations of the language: understanding simple sentences, introducing yourself, asking questions and communicating in everyday situations. Regularity then plays an essential role in making progress and memorising new concepts.

What is A1 level on the CEFR scale?

A1 is the first rung of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), the international grid used to describe language skills. The scale has six levels, from A1 to C2, and A1 corresponds to the first stage of the basic user.

Here is how A1 compares with the other levels:

The difference between A1 and A2 mainly comes down to autonomy. At A1 level, you express yourself with short, learned sentences, in very predictable situations, and the person you are speaking to has to speak slowly. At A2 level, you begin to combine these elements freely in order to talk about your day or explain a more specific need. Knowing where you stand on this scale changes everything: it allows you to choose a suitable course and to have realistic expectations of yourself.

What can you really do with an A1 level in French?

Imagine walking into a café in French-speaking Switzerland. You can order something, ask for the price and understand a simple answer. A few minutes later, you need to make an appointment: you are able to give your name and your phone number, and to ask for a date.

These are simple situations, but that is precisely what the A1 level allows.

You can introduce yourself, talk about your family, your work or where you live, ask for information, go shopping, order in a restaurant or understand a short message.

The goal of A1 is therefore not to speak perfectly. It is to give you enough of a foundation to start using French in real life.

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What do you learn in an A1 French course?

At A1 level, the aim is to build the foundations you need in order to communicate quickly in concrete situations.

You learn in particular to build simple sentences, to ask questions, to use the most common verbs such as être (to be), avoir (to have) or habiter (to live), and to understand the articles le, la and les. You also discover the essential vocabulary linked to everyday life: introducing yourself, talking about your job, going shopping, getting around, talking about the time or making an appointment.

Little by little, these elements start to come together. A sentence that seemed impossible at the beginning becomes understandable, and then usable by you in turn.

What is A1 level French used for in Switzerland?

For someone living in French-speaking Switzerland, or wishing to work there, learning French does not only mean learning a new language. It also means being able to take part more easily in everyday life.

Saying hello to a colleague, understanding a piece of information, asking a question in a shop or making an appointment are small interactions, but they can quickly make a big difference.

In certain administrative procedures, your language level can also have a concrete importance. Depending on the situation, some residence or settlement permits may require you to demonstrate specific language skills.

A1 is therefore a useful first step, both to gain independence and to start integrating into a French-speaking environment.

Standard French or Swiss French: what do you learn at A1 level?

It is a question many beginners ask: why learn standard French when people in French-speaking Switzerland have expressions of their own?

At A1 level, courses focus on standard French. It is the language used for writing, official documents, forms and exams.

Swiss French particularities, septante, huitante, nonante or a few everyday local words, will come gradually with listening and habit. For a beginner, starting with standard French therefore makes it possible to build solid foundations before getting used to regional variations.

How do you reach A1 level while staying motivated?

The beginning of the learning process is often the most unsettling period. You know a few words, but you feel you cannot use them yet.

That is precisely why regularity is essential. A few minutes of listening every day, one sentence used in a real situation or a short conversation can be more effective than a long, occasional study session.

Above all, do not wait until you have perfectly mastered grammar before speaking. At A1 level, making mistakes is part of the process. The goal is first and foremost to dare to use the first foundations you have acquired.

How can you officially certify your A1 level in French?

In some situations, it may be necessary to officially prove your level of French. Several recognised certifications correspond to the A1 level of the CEFR, in particular the DELF A1, the TCF (Test de connaissance du français) and the TEF (Test d'évaluation de français).

In Switzerland, the fide test can also be used as part of certain administrative procedures.

These exams assess the essential A1 skills: understanding simple information, reading short texts, writing personal information and communicating in everyday situations.

A1 level, a starting point that changes everyday life

A1 does not make you a French speaker, and that is not its purpose. What it does is turn a foreign language into a usable one: you stop simply enduring situations and start taking part in them, however modestly. It is often at that precise moment that French stops being frightening.

What follows then builds up naturally, level after level, up to the independence described in our article on B2 level in French.