The adult French curriculum at the Alliance Française de Tucson follows the CEFR, or Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment. The CEFR divides learners into three broad divisions that can be divided into six levels; for each level, it describes what a learner is supposed to be able to do in reading, listening, speaking and writing. Here is a quick description of each level, and the books that we use.
Unsure of your level? Take a placement test over the phone - 520 881 9158 - or at the office to find out! New students with prior experience in French language learning are invited to contact the AFT office before registering in order to see what is the best class for you.
Beginners - Build solid foundations in French
- Level A1 [101a, b & c - 102a, b & c]
You will be able to:
◊ understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type.
◊ introduce themselves and others and ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people they know and things they have.
◊ interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
Level A1 includes courses working on Latitudes 1 from Unité 1 to Unité 9.
- Level A2 [103a, b & c - 104a, b & c]
You will be able to:
◊ understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment).
◊ communicate according to simple and routine tasks requiring simple and direct exchanges of information on familiar and routine matters.
◊ describe, in simple terms, aspects of your background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
Level A2 includes courses working on Latitudes 1 from Unité 10 to Unité 12 and Latitudes 2 from Unité 1 to Unité 6.
Intermediate - Reinforce oral and written communication skills.
-Level B1 [201a, b & c - 202 a, b & c]
You will be able to:
◊ understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
◊ deal with most situations likely to arise whilst traveling in an area where the language is spoken.
◊ produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest.
◊ describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
Level B1 includes courses working on Latitudes 2 from Unité 7 to Unité 12 and Latitudes 3 from Unité 1 to Unité 9.
Advanced - Reinforce your knowledge of French grammar and practice both oral and written skills through socio-cultural themes.
-Level B2 [203a, b & c - 204a, b & c]
You will be able to:
◊ understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialization.
◊ interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party.
◊ produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
Expert - Master the French language perfectly.
-Level C1 & Level C2 [300 - 400]
You will be able to:
◊ understand a wide range of demands, longer texts, and recognize implicit meanings • express yourself fluently and spontaneously without an obvious search for expressions.
◊ use the language with flexibility and effectiveness for social, academic and professional purposes.
◊ produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.
◊ understand with ease virtually everything heard or read.
◊ summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation.
◊ express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations.