How to learn French in 6 months (Daily lessons from A1 to B1)

This part 3 of our How to learn French in 6 months series. If you haven't read previous issues yet, here you go:

• How to learn french in 30 days

• How to learn french in 60 days

• How to learn french in 4 months

• How to learn french in 3 months

Going from A2 to B1 in months 5 and 6: Sprucing up your speech and written skills and becoming an every day, every minute French speaker

Now that you have the basics to sustain in a 30-minute conversation, we’ll work on improving your ability to speak more proficiently like a native French speaker.

For this last part of your French learning experience, we’ll focus on some more technical grammatical rules. You’ll also learn how to connect the dots between stories that happened in  the past and ones that’ll happen in the future. 

Month 5: Transitioning to intermediate level

At this point, you’re probably on the advanced end of the A2 CEFR level, so you can input more content native speakers, and eventually output some decent content too. Now, let’s work on improving your output to make it sound more and more native.

Week 17: Future tense and conditional mood

• Day 1: Introduction to the conditional mood

We recommend "Le conditionnel présent en français" by Parlez-vous FRENCH : Learn French Online for learning about the conditional mood and its conjugation.

Practice conjugating verbs in the conditional mood and understanding its usage in expressing hypothetical situations, polite requests, and giving advice.

• Day 2: Expressing preferences and desires using the conditional mood

Learn how to use the conditional mood to express preferences and desires, such as "J'aimerais voyager davantage" (I would like to travel more) and "Je voudrais apprendre à jouer du piano" (I would like to learn to play the piano).

• Day 3: Using the conditional mood for hypothetical situations

Practice using the conditional mood to describe hypothetical situations and their potential consequences, such as "Si j'avais plus d'argent, j'achèterais une grande maison" (If I had more money, I would buy a big house).

• Day 4: Polite requests and giving advice with the conditional mood

Learn how to use the conditional mood to make polite requests and give advice, such as "Pourriez-vous m'aider avec cette tâche ?" (Could you help me with this task?) and "Tu devrais faire plus d'exercice" (You should exercise more).

• Day 5: Expressing intentions and plans

Learn how to express intentions and plans using various structures, such as "avoir l'intention de" (to intend to), "compter faire" (to plan to do), and "projeter de" (to plan to).

• Day 6: Combining the conditional mood and expressions of intention

Practice using the conditional mood and expressions of intention together in various contexts, such as discussing future plans and making hypothetical statements.

• Day 7 : Review and consolidation

Review the conditional mood and expressions of intention, focusing on their usage in different contexts.

Week 18: Relative pronouns and subordinate clauses

• Day 1 : Introduction to relative pronouns (qui and que)

Watch "Les pronoms relatifs 'qui' et 'que' en français" by Le French Club to learn the relative pronouns "qui" (who, which, that) and "que" (whom, which, that) and their usage in relative clauses.

• Day 2: Relative pronouns (dont and où)

"Les pronoms relatifs 'dont' et 'où' en français" by Guillaume Posé - Professeur de Français and The perfect French with Dylane are great videos to learn the relative pronouns "dont" (whose, of which) and "où" (where, when) and their usage in relative clauses.

• Day 3: Practicing relative pronouns in context

Practice using all four relative pronouns (qui, que, dont, and où) in different contexts, such as describing people, objects, and places, or providing explanations and background information.

• Day 4: Introduction to subordinate clauses

Learn about the structure and function of subordinate clauses and how they are connected to the main clause using relative pronouns and other linking words.

• Day 5: Constructing subordinate clauses

Practice constructing subordinate clauses using relative pronouns and other linking words, such as "parce que" (because), "bien que" (although), and "si" (if).

• Day 6 : Combining sentences using relative pronouns and subordinate clauses

Learn strategies for combining simple sentences into more complex ones using relative pronouns and subordinate clauses. 

Practice identifying opportunities to combine sentences and choosing the appropriate linking words.

• Day 7: Review and consolidation

Review the concepts of relative pronouns and subordinate clauses, focusing on their usage in different contexts and their role in creating more complex and informative sentences.

Week 19: Comparatives and superlatives

• Day 1 : Introduction to comparatives (plus, moins, aussi)

“Les comparatifs en français (plus, moins, aussi)” by Français avec Pierre is the perfect video to learn how to form and use comparative structures with "plus" (more), "moins" (less), and "aussi" (as).

• Day 2: Irregular comparatives (meilleur, pire, moindre)

Learn about irregular comparative forms, such as "meilleur" (better), "pire" (worse), and "moindre" (lesser), and how to use them in sentences.

• Day 3: Practicing comparatives in context

Practice using comparatives in various contexts, such as making recommendations, expressing preferences, or analyzing data.

• Day 4: Introduction to superlatives (le/la/les plus, le/la/les moins)

Watch the videos "Les superlatifs en français (le/la/les plus, le/la/les moins)" by French School TV and Learn French With Alexa to learn to form and use superlative structures with "le/la/les plus" (the most) and "le/la/les moins" (the least).

• Day 5: Irregular superlatives (le meilleur, le pire, le moindre)

Learn about irregular superlative forms, such as "le meilleur" (the best), "le pire" (the worst), and "le moindre" (the least), and how to use them in sentences.

• Day 6: Practicing superlatives in context

Practice using superlatives in various contexts, such as making recommendations, expressing opinions, or describing achievements.

• Day 7 : Review and consolidation

Review the concepts of comparatives and superlatives, focusing on their usage in different contexts and their role in making language more expressive and persuasive.

Week 20: Idiomatic expressions and vocabulary expansion

• Day 1: Introduction to common French idiomatic expressions

We recommend the video "Les expressions idiomatiques françaises les plus courantes" by Français avec Pierre to learn about common French idiomatic expressions and their meanings.

Practice using these expressions in sentences and understanding their figurative meanings.

• Day 2 : Idiomatic expressions related to emotions and feelings

Learn idiomatic expressions related to emotions and feelings, such as "avoir le cafard" (to feel down), "être aux anges" (to be on cloud nine), and "avoir le cœur gros" (to be heavy-hearted).

• Day 3: Idiomatic expressions related to everyday life situations

Learn idiomatic expressions related to everyday life situations, such as "mettre les points sur les i" (to dot the i's and cross the t's), "faire d'une pierre deux coups" (to kill two birds with one stone), and "être dans le même bateau" (to be in the same boat).

• Day 4: Practicing idiomatic expressions in context

Practice using idiomatic expressions in several contexts: telling stories, giving advice, expressing opinions, and more.

• Day 5: Expanding vocabulary related to travel and transportation

Learn new vocabulary related to travel and transportation, such as "un billet" (a ticket), "un vol" (a flight), "un quai" (a platform), and "un embouteillage" (a traffic jam).

• Day 6: Expanding vocabulary related to work and professions

Learn new vocabulary related to work and professions, such as "un stage" (an internship), "un entretien d'embauche" (a job interview), "un congé" (a leave), and "un cadre" (an executive).

• Day 7: Expanding vocabulary related to emotions and personal characteristics

Learn new vocabulary related to emotions and personal characteristics, such as "épanoui(e)" (fulfilled), "compatissant(e)" (compassionate), "fiable" (reliable), and "malicieux(se)" (mischievous).

Assessment 5: Evaluate progress through a mock B1 exam and assignments

At the end of the fifth month, you need to assess your progress and determine whether you have reached a solid B1 level in French. This assessment will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, and prepare you for the final stage of your French learning journey.

Mock B1 Exam

Take a mock B1 exam that covers all the topics and skills you've learned during the past five months. The exam should include the following sections:

1. Listening comprehension

2. Reading comprehension

3. Writing

4. Speaking

5. Grammar and vocabulary

You can find mock B1 exams online or in French learning textbooks. Some recommended resources for B1 exams include:

• Delf and Dalf | PDF | Francophonie | Tests

• What's your French level? Take the free test   

Assignments

In addition to the mock exam, complete the following assignments to demonstrate your B1-level French skills:

1. Write a 300-word essay expressing your opinion on a current social issue, such as environmental protection, gender equality, or the impact of technology on society. Keep your grammatical structures in mind and use idiomatic expressions and vocabulary to support your arguments.

2. Record a 6-minute video of yourself presenting a topic of your choice. It could be a book review, a travel guide, or a how-to tutorial. Use the right vocabulary, grammatical structures, and transitions to make your presentation clear, coherent, and engaging.

3. Read a B1-level French news article or blog post (400-500 words) and write a summary and critical analysis in French (200-250 words). Identify the main points, evaluate the author's arguments, and provide your own perspective on the topic.

4. Listen to a B1-level French podcast or interview (5-7 minutes) about a cultural or historical topic and answer comprehension questions about the main ideas, specific details, and speakers' perspectives. Write a reflection (150-200 words) on the topic, discussing what you learned and how it relates to your own experiences or knowledge.

Émilie, 42 ans, est une scientifique passionnée qui travaille pour un grand laboratoire de recherche à Toulouse. Spécialisée en biologie moléculaire, elle mène des recherches sur les maladies génétiques rares dans l'espoir de développer de nouveaux traitements.

Le chemin d'Émilie vers la recherche scientifique n'a pas été direct. Après avoir obtenu son baccalauréat, elle a hésité entre plusieurs domaines d'études. C'est lors d'un stage dans un laboratoire pendant ses études de licence qu'elle a découvert sa vocation pour la recherche. Elle a ensuite poursuivi ses études jusqu'au doctorat, tout en travaillant comme assistante de recherche pour financer sa formation.

Dans son travail actuel, Émilie dirige une équipe de jeunes chercheurs. Elle est reconnue pour sa rigueur scientifique et sa capacité à encourager la créativité et l'innovation au sein de son équipe. Cependant, elle doit faire face à des défis tels que la recherche de financements et la gestion des délais serrés pour publier des résultats.

Malgré son emploi du temps chargé, Émilie s'efforce de maintenir un équilibre entre sa vie professionnelle et personnelle. Elle est mariée et a deux adolescents qui sont sa plus grande fierté. Pour décompresser, elle pratique la méditation et le jardinage. Elle est également engagée dans des associations qui cherchent à promouvoir les sciences auprès des jeunes, en particulier des filles.

Émilie est convaincue que la recherche scientifique a le pouvoir de changer des vies. Son rêve est de contribuer à une découverte majeure qui pourrait améliorer le traitement des maladies génétiques rares. Elle espère également inspirer la prochaine génération de scientifiques à poursuivre leurs passions et à repousser les limites de la connaissance.

Questions de compréhension :

• Quel est le domaine d'expertise d'Émilie et sur quoi portent ses recherches ?

• Pourquoi Émilie a-t-elle choisi de travailler dans la recherche scientifique ?

• Comment Émilie a-t-elle financé ses études de doctorat ?

• Quelles sont les qualités d'Émilie en tant que directrice d'équipe ?

• Quels sont les principaux défis auxquels Émilie est confrontée dans son travail ?

• Comment Émilie concilie-t-elle sa vie professionnelle et sa vie personnelle ?

• Quels sont les loisirs d'Émilie pour se détendre ?

• Dans quelles activités associatives Émilie s'engage-t-elle et pourquoi ?

• Quel est le rêve professionnel d'Émilie ?

• Que souhaite-t-elle inspirer chez la prochaine génération de scientifiques ?

• Analysez le parcours d'Émilie. Quels ont été les moments clés qui ont façonné sa carrière ?

• Discutez de l'importance de la rigueur scientifique et de l'innovation dans le domaine de la recherche.

• Selon vous, pourquoi est-il crucial de promouvoir les sciences auprès des jeunes, en particulier des filles ?

• Comment la recherche scientifique peut-elle contribuer à améliorer la vie des personnes atteintes de maladies rares ?

• Que peut-on apprendre du parcours d'Émilie en termes de persévérance et de poursuite de ses passions ?

1. Participate in a 15-minute conversation or role-play with a French native speaker or tutor, discussing a range of topics such as your hobbies, future plans, and experiences with French culture. 

Demonstrate your ability to express yourself spontaneously, use appropriate vocabulary and grammatical structures, and adapt to your interlocutor's responses.

Evaluation and Reflection

After completing the mock exam and assignments, evaluate your performance and reflect on your progress. Consider the following questions:

1. Did you achieve a solid B1 level in French based on your exam results and assignment performance?

2. Which areas have you excelled in, and which areas still require improvement?

3. How has your French language proficiency evolved since the beginning of your learning journey?

4. What learning strategies and resources have been most effective for you during the past five months?

5. What are your goals and priorities for the final stage of your French learning journey?

Use your evaluation and reflection to celebrate your achievements, set new goals, and adjust your learning plan for the final month. If you feel that you need more practice in certain areas, dedicate additional time and resources to addressing those weaknesses.

Remember that reaching a B1 level in French is a significant milestone, and you should be proud of your progress. Continue to stay motivated, engage with authentic French materials, and seek opportunities to use your language skills in real-life situations. 

Month 6: Solidifying your French B1 level skills

Here you focus is to learn speech patterns, argumentation, logic, and connecting ideas.

Week 21: Present subjunctive mood

• Day 1: Understanding the subjunctive mood and its usage

Watch "Le subjonctif présent en français : formation et emploi" by Parlez-vous FRENCH : Learn French Online to learn about the subjunctive mood, its formation, and when to use it in French.

Next, practice identifying situations that require the subjunctive mood, such as expressing emotions, doubts, or necessities.

• Day 2: Subjunctive conjugations for regular verbs

Learn the subjunctive conjugations for regular verbs in French, including -er, -ir, and -re verbs.

Write 5 sentences using these conjugated verbs in the subjunctive mood.

• Day 3: Subjunctive conjugations for common irregular verbs

Learn the subjunctive conjugations for common irregular verbs, such as être, avoir, aller, faire, pouvoir, and vouloir.

• Day 4: Subjunctive conjugations for stem-changing and irregular verbs

Learn the subjunctive conjugations for stem-changing verbs (e.g., prendre, venir) and other irregular verbs (e.g., savoir, voir).

• Day 5: Subjunctive mood in various sentence structures

Practice using the subjunctive mood in different sentence structures, such as subordinate clauses introduced by “que”, relative clauses, and impersonal expressions (e.g., il faut que, il est important que).

• Day 6: Subjunctive mood in complex sentences

Learn how to use the subjunctive mood in complex sentences with multiple clauses and different trigger phrases.

Day 7: Review and consolidation

Review the formation and usage of the present subjunctive mood, its role in expressing emotions, doubts, and necessities in different contexts.

Week 22: Emphatic pronouns and double object pronouns

• Day 1 : Introduction to emphatic pronouns

Watch "Les pronoms toniques en français" by Français avec Pierre to learn about emphatic pronouns (moi, toi, lui, elle, nous, vous, eux, elles) and their role in adding emphasis or contrast to a sentence.

• Day 2: Emphatic pronouns with prepositions

Learn how to use emphatic pronouns with prepositions like "pour moi" (for me), "sans toi" (without you), and "chez lui" (at his place).

• Day 3: Emphatic pronouns in complex sentences

Practice using emphatic pronouns in complex sentences like those with multiple clauses or subordinate clauses.

• Day 4: Introduction to double object pronouns

Watch "Les pronoms compléments d'objet direct et indirect en français" by Parlez-vous FRENCH : Learn French Online to learn about double object pronouns (e.g., me le, te la, nous les) and their role in replacing both direct and indirect objects in a sentence.

Next, practice using double object pronouns in simple sentences with verbs that commonly take both direct and indirect objects like “donner” (to give), “envoyer” (to send), and “montrer” (to show).

• Day 5: Placement of double object pronouns

Learn the rules for placing double object pronouns in different sentence structures like affirmative, negative, and imperative sentences.

• Day 6: Double object pronouns in complex sentences

Practice using double object pronouns in complex sentences, as those with multiple verbs or subordinate clauses.

• Day 7 : Using emphatic pronouns with double object pronouns

Learn how to use emphatic pronouns in combination with double object pronouns to add emphasis or contrast to a sentence.

Week 23: Reading and writing skills

• Day 1: Strategies for reading authentic texts

Learn strategies for improving reading comprehension when dealing with authentic French texts. Learn how to identify main ideas, how to skim and scan, and how to use context clues to deduce the meaning of unfamiliar words.

• Day 2: Reading and analyzing different text types

Practice reading and analyzing different types of French texts. Consider news articles, opinion pieces, and literary excerpts. While you’re at it, focus on their structure, purpose, and style.

• Day 3: Reading comprehension practice

Continue practicing reading comprehension with French texts of varying lengths and difficulty levels.

• Day 4: Strategies for organizing ideas and structuring arguments

Learn strategies for organizing ideas and structuring arguments in French writing. Learn to create outlines, use transitional phrases, and develop coherent paragraphs.

• Day 5: Writing essays and compositions

Practice writing essays and compositions in French on various topics. Apply the strategies for organizing ideas and structuring arguments you learned earlier.

• Day 6: Editing and revising written work

Learn strategies for editing and revising written work in French. For example, learn to check for grammatical accuracy, improve word choice and sentence structure, and ensure clarity and coherence.

• Day 7: Responding to authentic texts through writing

Practice integrating reading and writing skills by reading authentic French texts and responding to them through written compositions.

Week 24: Grand Slam Practice

The goal this week is to put all the skills you've developed into practice and create an impressive portfolio of writing samples and recordings in French. Challenge yourself, but also take pride in how far you've come. Bon courage!

• Day 1: Write an essay on "The role of technology in modern education"

Brainstorm ideas and create an outline for your essay, then write a 5-paragraph essay (introduction, 3 body paragraphs, conclusion). 

Make clear thesis statements, supporting evidence, and smooth transitions between paragraphs and aim for 500-600 words.

Lastly, edit and proofread your essay for grammar, spelling, and coherence.

• Day 2: Record yourself presenting an argumentative speech on "Is social media more beneficial or harmful to society?"

Research the topic and gather evidence to support your stance, then outline your main arguments and counterarguments. 

Go ahead and write a compelling 3-4 minute speech with an engaging intro, clear main points, and powerful conclusion.

When done, practice delivering your speech focusing on pacing, emphasis, and body language and record yourself presenting the speech and critically analyze your performance.

Aim to sound confident, articulate, and persuasive.

• Day 3: Write an opinion piece on "How can individuals combat climate change in their daily lives?"

Reflect on the issue and generate specific, actionable ideas and write a 400-500 word opinion piece with an attention-grabbing opening, personal anecdotes, and clear call-to-action.

Maintain an authentic, conversational tone while still sounding authoritative, then review and revise your piece for clarity, style, and impact.

• Day 4: Record yourself giving an informative talk on "The importance of mental health awareness"

Conduct research to find relevant statistics, expert quotes, and helpful resources and structure a 4-5 minute talk with an impactful intro, 3 main informative points, and memorable conclusion.

Then incorporate an engaging hook, stories/examples, and audience interaction if appropriate. 

Practice your delivery aiming for a conversational, empathetic, yet educational tone and film yourself giving the talk and review the recording to identify areas for refinement.

• Day 5: Write a persuasive letter on an issue you feel passionate about

Select a relevant issue and clearly define your stance and call-to-action and craft a persuasive 1-2 page letter with a professional tone addressed to an entity that can effect change (local rep, newspaper editor, company, etc). 

• Use ethos, pathos and logos to make your case — establish credibility, evoke emotion, and provide logical arguments.

• Close with a powerful restatement of your position and specific request for action.

• Polish the letter ensuring it is concise, customized to the recipient, and free of errors.

• Day 6: Outline, draft and polish your capstone writing piece

Review your writing portfolio and select a meaningful topic for a capstone essay, article or story and develop a thorough outline expanding on your chosen idea.

• Write a rough draft (length depending on the format you chose).

• Set it aside and return later to revise, edit and proofread. 

• Focus on showcasing your unique writing voice, creativity, and mastery of your chosen style

• Day 7: Record your capstone french presentation 

Decide on a topic that encapsulates your French learning journey and future language goals and outline a 5-7 minute presentation sharing your progress, challenges overcome, proud achievements, and aspirations.

• Draft a compelling script weaving in impactful anecdotes and reflections.

• Rehearse your presentation multiple times concentrating on pronunciation, fluidity and conveying emotions.

• Record and review your presentation, make adjustments as needed.

When satisfied, share the recording with your mentor and online French learning community for feedback and encouragement.

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Learning French is an incredibly rewarding experience, but it can also be a challenging and sometimes tedious task. Staying motivated and committed to your goals is important for making steady progress and achieving fluency. However, you don't have to go through this journey alone!

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• A dedicated tutor assigned to the group who will provide personalized feedback and guidance to every member, helping you identify areas for improvement and offering valuable insights to accelerate your learning.

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