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A1 · complete beginner

Learn French A1 from zero, in English

You don't need to know a single word. From the alphabet and greetings to introducing yourself, shopping, and asking for directions — explained in a language you actually understand.

Try the first unit free

How long does this level take? 4-6 weeks

What does A1 actually mean?

A1 is the first level of the European CEFR framework — the absolute beginning. It means you can understand and use simple everyday expressions in French, and introduce yourself in short sentences.

What you'll be able to do after A1

  • Introduce yourself: your name, where you're from, your age
  • Handle the airport and public transport
  • Shop at the market or a store without trouble
  • Ask for directions and understand the answer
  • Book an appointment at a doctor's or pharmacy
  • Understand simple signs and everyday announcements

What you'll do every day

Vocabulary

Everyday-situation words: the market, the apartment, the doctor, public transport

Grammar

Basic verbs (être, avoir, -er verbs), noun gender (le/la), and simple sentence order

Listening

Short dialogues at a beginner-friendly pace

Speaking

Record your voice from lesson one and get instant feedback

Sample sentences you'll learn in A1

Je m'appelle Amina et je viens du Maroc.

How you introduce yourself: your name + your country.

Où est la pharmacie, s'il vous plaît ?

Où = where — used to ask for a place.

Je voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît.

voudrais = I'd like, a polite way to ask.

Le train part à neuf heures.

le (masculine) + time — heures means o'clock.

A first introduction

Bonjour ! Comment tu t'appelles ?

Hi! What's your name?

Je m'appelle Youssef. Et toi ?

My name is Youssef. And you?

Je m'appelle Fatima. Tu viens d'où ?

My name is Fatima. Where are you from?

Je viens de Casablanca.

I'm from Casablanca.

The A1 exam

At the end of the level, a mock exam styled after the DELF A1 — 4 skills: listening, reading, writing, speaking.

Lerniyo's exam is built in the style of internationally recognized exams (DELF, DALF, TCF, TEF) — it is not an official registration with any of those organizations. The Lerniyo certificate is a completion certificate for our own curriculum.

What will you learn in French A1?

  • Greetings and introductions
  • Introducing yourself: name, country, age
  • Numbers, time, and dates
  • Family
  • Food and shopping
  • Housing and the apartment
  • Transport and getting around
  • The doctor and the pharmacy
  • Basic verbs in the present tense (être, avoir, -er verbs)
  • Articles: le/la/les, un/une
  • Simple sentence order
  • Everyday questions: what, where, how much, why

Learn French A1 in English with Lerniyo

Most apps explain grammar using confusing jargon or a third language, adding difficulty on top of difficulty. Lerniyo explains everything in plain English, so you focus on French, not on decoding the explanation.

After A1 comes A2

See A2