Learn French B1 in English
B1 is the level most French residency and work files ask for. After A2, you step into real independence — expressing opinions, handling administrative appointments, and discussing familiar topics with confidence.
Try the first unit freeHow long does this level take? 14-16 weeks
What does B1 mean in French?
B1 is the third of the six levels of the CEFR (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) and the first of the “independent user” levels. In French, a B1 speaker understands the main points of clear, standard speech on familiar matters met at work, at school or in free time, deals with most situations likely to arise while travelling, produces simple connected text on familiar topics, and can describe experiences, events, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
In practice, B1 is where French becomes independent. You can follow a film or a news item on a familiar subject, hold a conversation without a script, write an email or a short account of your week, and explain why you prefer one option to another. It is the level that many residence permits and work files ask for, and the step before B2, which French naturalization currently requires.
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B1 vs B2: what actually changes
| Skill | B1 | B2 |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | You cope with most situations and give opinions, reasons and short explanations, with pauses to find words. | You interact fluently and spontaneously with native speakers, and explain a viewpoint with advantages and disadvantages. |
| Listening | The main points of clear, standard speech on familiar topics. | Extended speech and most news, including less familiar topics, even when it is not clearly structured. |
| Reading | Texts on everyday and work topics, with the main ideas and events understood. | Long, complex texts on concrete and abstract topics, including technical articles in your field. |
| Writing | Simple connected text and personal letters about experiences and plans. | Clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects, such as essays and reports. |
| Grammar | The imperfect with the passé composé, the future, the conditional, “y” and “en”, relative pronouns and a first subjunctive. | The subjunctive in many uses, the pluperfect, the past conditional, the passive and the gerund. |
Who needs French B1?
B1 is the level of independent everyday French. It is enough for several goals and not yet for others.
A residence permit or work file in France
Since 2026, a first ten-year resident card generally asks for B1 (a first multi-year card asks for A2), with exemptions. Work files vary, so check your prefecture or employer.
Everyday life abroad
At B1 you handle most daily situations on your own: services, housing, appointments, travel and conversations with neighbours and colleagues.
The step before B2
French naturalization currently asks for B2, and many study programs do too, so B1 is the last independent step before them.
Learners who want a diploma
The DELF B1 is an official diploma that does not expire. See our DELF B1 guide for the format and a preparation plan.
Exams around B1
Several exams certify B1. Always check which one your file or program names, because requirements change.
DELF B1
An official diploma from France Éducation international for B1 French, with four tests: listening, reading, writing and speaking. It is pass or fail and does not expire.
TCF and TEF
Scored tests that place you on the whole scale; they are used when a file asks for a recent score, usually valid for about two years.
Lerniyo’s B1 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 B1: grammar
B1 grammar lets you tell stories, make plans and conditions, and avoid repeating nouns.
- Imperfect and passé composé
- “Quand j’étais petit, j’habitais à Fès.” “Un jour, j’ai perdu mon sac.” The imperfect describes, the passé composé tells events.
- The simple future
- “Demain, il fera beau.” “Je partirai à huit heures.”
- The conditional
- “Je voudrais un rendez-vous.” “Si j’avais le temps, je voyagerais.”
- The pronouns “y” and “en”
- “J’y vais demain.” “Tu en veux ?”
- Relative pronouns
- “La femme qui travaille ici est ma cousine.” “Le livre que j’ai acheté est cher.” “La ville où j’habite est grande.”
- A first subjunctive
- “Il faut que je parte.” “Je veux que tu viennes.”
- Reported speech, the basics
- “Il a dit qu’il était fatigué.” “Elle m’a demandé si j’étais libre.”
- Time expressions
- “Je travaille ici depuis deux ans.” “Je suis arrivé il y a deux jours.”
Mistakes to avoid at B1
- Using the pluperfect instead of the passé composé: “Hier, j’étais allé au cinéma”. It is “Hier, je suis allé au cinéma”.
- Using the conditional after “si”: “Si j’aurais le temps”. It is “Si j’avais le temps”.
- Using the indicative after “il faut que”: “Il faut que je vais”. It is “Il faut que j’aille”.
- Repeating the noun instead of using “y” and “en”: “Je vais à Paris, je reste à Paris”. Use “J’y vais” and “J’y reste”.
- Confusing “depuis” and “il y a”: “Je suis arrivé depuis deux jours”. It is “Je suis arrivé il y a deux jours”.
- Translating word by word from Darija or Arabic instead of learning whole French expressions.
A realistic study plan for B1
Lerniyo’s B1 track is planned as about 14 to 16 weeks at 15 to 20 minutes a day. That is only an estimate. A simple weekly rhythm:
- 1
Revise A2 and widen your vocabulary
Keep the A2 words alive with spaced repetition, and add words for work, news, travel, health and opinions.
- 2
Practise one grammar point a week
For example the imperfect and the passé composé, then the future, then the conditional, each with short exercises and a few sentences of your own.
- 3
Listen to real French at your level
Slow news, learner podcasts and short videos with French subtitles. Listen once for the main idea, then again for details.
- 4
Write something every few days
A short email, a summary of your week or a review, and have it corrected. B1 is where writing starts to count.
- 5
Speak with Nour
Practise giving opinions, telling stories and explaining plans out loud. Making mistakes while speaking is how B1 becomes automatic.
What you'll be able to do after B1
- Express and justify your opinion on a familiar topic
- Describe an experience, a dream, or a goal
- Handle an appointment at the préfecture or an administrative office
- Understand the main points of a news bulletin or simple article
- Write connected text on a topic you know
- Prepare for the DELF B1 exam
What you'll do every day
Vocabulary
Words for work, administrative steps, and personal opinion
Grammar
Subjonctif (the basics), conditional sentences, and linking ideas
Listening
Real news bulletins and conversations at natural speed
Speaking
Free-form voice conversation with Nour on varied topics
Sample sentences you'll learn in B1
Je pense que le français est une langue importante.
A way to express your opinion.
Il faut que tu remplisses ce formulaire.
Subjonctif after 'il faut que'.
Si j'avais plus de temps, j'apprendrais plus vite.
A hypothetical: si + imparfait, conditionnel.
Pouvez-vous m'expliquer les documents nécessaires ?
Vous = the polite form, useful for administrative appointments.
A rendez-vous at the préfecture
Bonjour, j'ai rendez-vous pour mon titre de séjour.
Hello, I have an appointment for my residence permit.
Avez-vous tous les documents demandés ?
Do you have all the requested documents?
Oui, j'ai apporté mon passeport et mes justificatifs.
Yes, I brought my passport and supporting documents.
Très bien, asseyez-vous, on va regarder ça ensemble.
Very good, have a seat, we'll go over this together.
What will you learn in French B1?
- Subjonctif: the basics (il faut que, je veux que)
- Conditional sentences (si + imparfait)
- Expressing and discussing an opinion
- Connectors: bien que, pourtant, donc
- Administrative French: appointments and documents
- Studying or working in France: steps and paperwork
- Writing connected text and a short essay
- Understanding a news bulletin and simple articles
- Verbs with fixed prepositions
- Tenses: imparfait vs. passé composé
Learn French B1 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 B1: frequently asked questions
What does B1 mean in French?
B1 is the third CEFR level and the first of the independent user levels. You deal with most situations while travelling, talk about experiences and plans, give reasons and opinions and write simple connected text.
How long does it take to reach B1?
About 14 to 16 weeks of study after A2, which is roughly 6 to 7 months from zero with consistent daily practice and some prior exposure, according to Lerniyo’s estimates.
What is the difference between B1 and B2?
At B1 you cope with most situations and give opinions with some pauses. At B2 you interact fluently and spontaneously, understand more complex texts and explain a viewpoint with advantages and disadvantages.
Is B1 enough for a residence permit or a work file?
B1 is often the level asked for, but each file sets its own requirement, and some ask for less or more. Check your own file.
Is B1 enough for French naturalization?
No. B2 is currently required, oral and written. B1 is a step on the way.
Which B1 exam should I take?
The DELF B1 is an official diploma that does not expire; the TCF and TEF are scored tests valid for a limited time. Take the one your file names. See our guide to the French exams.
Can I learn French B1 in Arabic or Darija?
Lerniyo explains grammar and vocabulary in your own language, which makes B1 much easier to follow, and Nour gives you speaking practice with feedback.
Does Lerniyo replace the official exam?
No. Lerniyo prepares you with B1-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 B1 comes B2
See B2