Learn French A2 in English
After A1, you start handling real daily life — your routine, your plans, the neighborhood, and short phone calls — with a wider range of everyday situations.
Try the first unit freeHow long does this level take? 8-10 weeks
What does A2 mean in French?
A2 is the second of the six levels of the CEFR (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) and the upper part of the “basic user” range. In French, an A2 speaker understands sentences and frequently used expressions about things that matter directly to them — personal and family information, shopping, work, the neighbourhood — handles simple, routine exchanges, and describes their background and surroundings in simple terms.
In practice, A2 is where French stops being only survival phrases. You can book an appointment, explain a simple problem at the pharmacy or the bank, tell what you did yesterday in the passé composé, make plans with the near future and write a short message. It is also the step before B1, the level of independent everyday French that many residence and work files ask for.
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A2 vs B1: what actually changes
| Skill | A2 | B1 |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | Short, simple conversations on familiar, routine topics, often with help from the other person. | You cope with most situations while travelling and give opinions, reasons and short explanations. |
| Listening | The main point of short, clear messages and announcements. | The main points of clear, standard speech on familiar topics. |
| Reading | Short, simple texts; you find specific information in notices, menus and timetables. | Texts on everyday and work topics, with the main ideas and events understood. |
| Writing | Short, simple notes and messages. | Simple connected text on familiar topics, and personal letters about experiences and plans. |
| Grammar | The passé composé, the near future, object pronouns, the partitive and the comparative. | The imperfect with the passé composé, the future, the conditional, “y” and “en” and the first subjunctive. |
Who needs French A2?
A2 is a milestone on the way to B1 for most learners, but it already opens real doors.
Everyday life in a French-speaking country
At A2 you manage appointments, shops, transport and short chats without help.
Some residence or work files
Many files ask for B1, and some ask only for A2. Check what your prefecture or employer actually requires.
Learners heading to B1
Most study and immigration goals start at B1 or B2, so A2 is the last basic step before them.
People who want a first diploma
The DELF A2 is an official diploma that does not expire, and a motivating goal on the way.
Exams around A2
Most files and programs ask for B1 or more, so an A2 exam is often a personal milestone. Always check the official requirement.
DELF A2
An official diploma from France Éducation international that certifies A2 French. It is pass or fail and does not expire.
TCF and TEF
Scored tests that place you on the whole scale; at A2 they are used when a file asks for a recent score.
Lerniyo’s A2 mock exam
At the end of the level, a mock exam in the style of the DELF covers listening, reading, writing and speaking. It prepares you, but it is not an official certificate.
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 you study in French A2: grammar
A2 adds the structures that let you talk about the past, plan, compare and avoid repeating nouns.
- The passé composé
- “J’ai mangé une pizza hier.” “Je suis allé à Rabat.” “Elle est arrivée à midi.” You learn which verbs take “avoir” and which take “être”.
- The near future
- “Je vais étudier ce soir.” “Nous allons partir demain.”
- Direct object pronouns
- “Je le vois.” “Tu la connais ?” “Il les achète.”
- The partitive
- “Je mange du pain.” “Elle boit de l’eau.” “Il y a des fruits.”
- The comparative
- “Casablanca est plus grande que Rabat.” “C’est moins cher.”
- Reflexive verbs
- “Je me lève à sept heures.” “Elle se couche tard.”
- Devoir, pouvoir, vouloir
- “Je dois partir.” “Tu peux m’aider ?” “Elle veut venir.”
- The imperative
- “Prends le bus.” “Ne parlez pas fort.”
Mistakes to avoid at A2
- Using “avoir” for movement verbs: “J’ai allé”. It is “Je suis allé”.
- Forgetting the agreement with “être”: “Elle est allé”. It is “Elle est allée”.
- Dropping the partitive: “Je mange pain”. It is “Je mange du pain”.
- Using the wrong preposition with countries: “Je vais à la France”. It is “Je vais en France”.
- Using “très” with the wrong word or “beaucoup” with an adjective: “Je suis fatigué beaucoup”. It is “Je suis très fatigué”.
- Mixing “c’est” and “il est”: “Il est un médecin”. It is “C’est un médecin” or “Il est médecin”.
A realistic study plan for A2
Lerniyo’s A2 track is planned as about 8 to 10 weeks at 15 to 20 minutes a day. That is only an estimate. A simple weekly rhythm:
- 1
Revise the A1 words and add situations
Keep the A1 words alive with spaced repetition, and add words for appointments, work, travel and free time.
- 2
Learn the passé composé by telling your day
Say what you did yesterday, in short sentences, out loud, and note the verbs that take “être”.
- 3
Practise one grammar point a week
For example the passé composé, then the near future, then object pronouns, each with short exercises.
- 4
Listen to slow, clear French
Short dialogues, learner podcasts and your lesson audio. Repeat aloud after the speaker.
- 5
Speak with Nour
Practise appointments, shopping and small talk out loud. Making mistakes while speaking is how A2 becomes automatic.
What you'll be able to do after A2
- Talk about your daily routine and free time
- Make plans and invitations
- Compare things and express preferences
- Handle a simple phone call
- Describe your neighborhood and your home
- Talk about the recent past and near future
What you'll do every day
Vocabulary
Daily life, routines, hobbies, and the neighborhood
Grammar
Passé composé, futur proche, and comparatives
Listening
Everyday conversations at a natural, slightly faster pace
Speaking
Short guided conversations with Nour about your day
Sample sentences you'll learn in A2
Hier, j'ai visité le marché avec ma sœur.
Passé composé with avoir — talking about the past.
Je vais rentrer à la maison après le travail.
Futur proche (aller + infinitive) — near-future plans.
Ce restaurant est plus cher que l'autre.
Comparative: plus... que.
Qu'est-ce que tu fais ce week-end ?
A natural way to ask about someone's plans.
Making plans
Qu'est-ce que tu fais samedi ?
What are you doing Saturday?
Je ne sais pas encore. Tu as une idée ?
I don't know yet. Any ideas?
On pourrait aller au marché, puis déjeuner ensemble.
We could go to the market, then have lunch together.
Bonne idée, ça me va !
Good idea, works for me!
What will you learn in French A2?
- Passé composé: talking about the past
- Futur proche: talking about near-future plans
- Comparatives and superlatives
- Daily routine and free time
- The neighborhood, transport, and getting around
- Making plans and invitations
- Phone conversations
- Shopping and prices
- Adjective agreement
- Reflexive verbs (se lever, se doucher...)
- Weather and seasons
- Ordering at a restaurant or café
Learn French A2 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.
French A2: frequently asked questions
What does A2 mean in French?
A2 is the second CEFR level. You understand frequently used expressions about everyday matters, handle simple routine conversations and write short, simple messages.
How long does it take to reach A2?
About 8 to 10 weeks of study after A1, which is roughly 3 to 4 months from zero with consistent daily practice, according to Lerniyo’s estimates.
What is the difference between A2 and B1?
At A2 you manage short, routine conversations. At B1 you cope with most situations, give opinions and reasons, and use the imperfect, the future and the conditional.
Is A2 enough for a residence permit or work file?
For a first multi-year residence card, A2 is generally the level asked since 2026, with exemptions. A first ten-year resident card asks for B1, and work files vary. Check what your own file requires before you decide.
Is there an official A2 exam?
Yes, the DELF A2 is an official diploma that does not expire. Check whether your file names the DELF, the TCF or the TEF.
Can I skip A2 and go from A1 to B1?
Not without risk. A2 teaches the passé composé, the near future and object pronouns, which B1 assumes. If you are unsure, take the free level test and start where it places you.
Can I learn French A2 in Arabic or Darija?
Lerniyo explains grammar and vocabulary in your own language, which makes A2 much easier to follow, and Nour gives you speaking practice with feedback.
Does Lerniyo replace the official exam?
No. Lerniyo prepares you with A2-style lessons and mock exams, but it is not an exam center. To get a certificate you must register for an official exam such as the DELF, DALF, TCF or TEF.
Keep going
After A2 comes B1
See B1