Levels

No knowledge of French at all.

Apart from a few common words, you have very little knowledge of the French language.

Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

You can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (eg: very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.

You can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. You can deal with most language situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. You can produce simple connected speech on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. You can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for projects or ideas.

Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantage and disadvantages of various options.

You can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and comprehend implicit meaning. You can express yourself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for words. You can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. You can express yourself clearly and grammatically on complex subjects, describe or report something showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

You can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. You can report information from different spoken and written sources and summarise these coherently. You can express yourself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning with regard to complex situations.