French Course B1 – Speak with Autonomy

Speak your mind — in French

At FTC Paris, our B1 level is where you move from basic exchanges to having real, natural conversations.

Our B1 course helps you express ideas, join real conversations, and gain the fluency you need to live confidently in French — in Paris and beyond.

Courses

Meet us

Next
sessions

Autumn 2025 starts

August 25

Last day: Friday,
October 17

Year end 2025

October 27

Last day: Friday,
December 19

Winter 2026

January 5

Last day: Friday,
February 27

Spring 26

March 9

Last day: Thursday,
April 30

You can join the class every Monday, according to your level.

Essential Details About Our B1 French Course

Program: Intense Session

Target: Autonomy (B1) according to the CEFR

Duration: 24 weeks | 3 sessions (20 hours per week/session)

Outside the class: 2 outings

Perfect for: University students, curious travelers seeking authentic immersion, and professionals building their next career chapter.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of A2 level or our free placement test.

What: To build confidence and master B1-level skills.

What You’ll Achieve at B1 (Autonomy) Level

By the end of B1, you’ll speak French more confidently and naturally in everyday life. You’ll express your ideas, give your opinion, and justify your choices in familiar conversations. You’ll be able to understand and take part in longer exchanges, tell stories in the past, and handle most situations while living, studying, or working in French.

Your next steps

Achieve B2 Level with FTC Paris

Take the DELF B1 Exam

Why Choose FTC Paris?

Speak more fluently through guided, real-life conversations

Small group classes in a vibrant Paris coworking space

Speak more fluently through guided, real-life conversations

Learn to express ideas, share opinions, and tell stories

Designed for intermediate learners ready to go deeper

FTC Paris’s B1 (Autonomy) program

What You’ll Learn as an Autonomy speaker

What I want to say

DELF refers to “pragmatic competence”

Introducing Yourself: “Dans quelques années, j’aimerais travailler dans le marketing en France ou un autre pays francophone.”
Context: Talk deeply with French speakers.

Expressing Opinions and Giving Reasons:
“Je trouve ce film ennuyeux car il est trop long.”
Context: Share your thoughts with friends, in class, or in conversation groups.

Describing Events and Experiences in Detail:
“J’ai visité le Maroc l’année dernière. C’était incroyable, surtout le désert qui m’a vraiment impressionné !”
Context: Tell personal stories and explain what you liked or discovered.

Writing Personal and Practical Texts:
“Je vous écris pour confirmer ma présence à la réunion de demain.”
Context: Send an email to your teacher, your host, or a French-speaking colleague.

How I have to say it

DELF refers to “linguistic competence”

Build Elaborate Sentences (Grammar): “Je trouve que c’est important de savoir parler français si on veut vivre ici.” | “J’aimerais un travail qui me permette de parler plusieurs langues.” | “Si tu en avais vraiment envie, tu pourrais le faire.”

Improve Pronunciation: At B1, you get used to hearing and speaking in spoken French — not written words.
You start linking sounds, using the natural rhythm of phrases, and speaking in full flow.

Expand Your Vocabulary: At B1, you’ll go beyond basic words: express emotions, compare things, describe abstract ideas.
French becomes your tool for expressing opinions.

Understand and Adapt to Real Spoken French: At B1, you continue to recognize formal phrases like “Je vous remercie de votre réponse”, casual expressions like “J’en ai marre”, and idioms like “Ça me prend la tête”, “JPP”.
You build confidence by understanding when to stay formal — and when French speakers don’t.

FAQ – What You’ll Learn as an Autonomy speaker

know what you’re getting

A frequently asked questions

Can I join the B1 course at any time?

Yes — if you already have a solid A2 level. We divide B1 into three parts (B1.1 / B1.2 / B1.3) to match your current skills. A placement test will help us find the best group for you.
✅ Practical Information:
> Join in weeks 1–2 easily
> Join in weeks 3–4 with some review
> After week 5, strong A2+ or previous B1 required
> Week 8 is assessment week — you can join the next session

What will I learn at B1 level?

You’ll learn to express your ideas clearly, give opinions, tell stories, and manage everyday conversations — in class and in life. B1 helps you move from structured speaking to real autonomy.
✅ Skills Developed:
> Speak with fluency and confidence
> Understand conversations and short texts
> Justify opinions, explain events, react naturally

Is the B1 course good for work or study in French?

Yes. B1 is often the minimum level required to live, work, or study in a French-speaking environment. You’ll gain the skills to interact professionally and socially.
✅ Practical benefits:
> Write simple emails
> Join meetings or group discussions
> Understand instructions and announcements

How is the B1 program structured?

It’s divided into B1.1, B1.2, and B1.3 — each focusing on key progress points. You can follow one module or the full path to complete the B1 level.
✅ Each part includes:
> 20 hours/week (15 in-class + 5 guided self-study)
> Progress tracking via Google Classroom
> Real-life speaking practice every day

What’s the learning environment like?

You’ll learn in small, interactive groups inside a lively Paris coworking space — ideal for real conversations and cultural immersion. Our teachers support you every step of the way.
✅ Learning Tools:
> Manual L’atelier + (digital & paper)
> Google Classroom for progress tracking and resources
> Shared teacher’s notes (Google Drive)

How can I improve between classes?

Use French every day, in and out of class. We recommend watching French videos, reading short articles, using RFI’s Français Facile or TV5 Monde, and chatting with French people, in the coworking and beyond!
✅ Extra Resources:
> Google Classroom assignments
> Real conversations in our shared space
> Optional speaking activities outside class

B1 | Autonomy