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A2 checklist

Checklist​

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) defines the A2 level as "Basic User" who can understand and communicate in everyday situations. Here are the skills and grammar topics an A2 learner in French should be comfortable with:

Skills:

  1. Reading comprehension: Understand short, simple texts, such as signs, menus, and short articles.
  2. Listening comprehension: Understand short conversations, instructions, and announcements.
  3. Writing: Write short, simple texts, such as postcards, notes, and messages.
  4. Speaking: Engage in simple conversations, ask and answer questions, and express opinions.
  5. Vocabulary: Understand and use a range of everyday vocabulary related to:
    • Family and friends
    • Food and drink
    • Shopping
    • Travel and transportation
    • Hobbies and interests

Grammar topics:

  1. Present tense: Use the present tense to describe habits, routines, and current actions (e.g., je mange, tu fais, il/elle/on va).
  2. Imperfect tense: Understand and use the imperfect tense to describe past habits and ongoing actions (e.g., j'allais, tu faisais, il/elle/on allait).
  3. Future tense (near future): Use the near future tense to talk about plans and intentions (e.g., je vais manger, tu vas faire).
  4. Pronouns: Use subject pronouns (e.g., je, tu, il/elle/on), object pronouns (e.g., me, te, le/la), and possessive adjectives (e.g., mon, ton, son).
  5. Prepositions: Understand and use common prepositions (e.g., à, de, en, avec, sans).
  6. Basic sentence structure: Use simple sentence structures, such as:
    • Declarative sentences (e.g., Je m'appelle Marie.)
    • Interrogative sentences (e.g., Comment ça va?)
    • Imperative sentences (e.g., Viens ici!)

Specific grammar points:

  1. Verb conjugation in the present tense (regular and irregular verbs)
  2. Use of articles (le, la, les, un, une, des)
  3. Adjective agreement (e.g., le livre rouge, la femme heureuse)
  4. Basic use of adverbs (e.g., vite, bien, mal)

Test​

Here are two paragraphs, one in English and one in French, that an A2 level learner should be able to translate:

English Paragraph:

"My name is Sarah and I am from London. I like to play soccer and listen to music in my free time. My favorite food is pizza and I love to travel to new places. I also enjoy reading books and watching movies. Do you like any of the same things as me?"

French Paragraph:

"Mes nom est Sophie et je viens de Paris. Je déteste jouer au foot et écouter de la musique en me promenant. Mon aliment préféré est le pizza et j'adore voyager dans de nouveaux lieux. J'ai également du goûter à des livres et à des films. Aimez-vous les mêmes choses que moi ?"

If you can translate these paragraphs, you are at the A2 level.

  • english to french: "I like to travel. Last year, I went to Paris with my family. We visited the Eiffel Tower and had a great time."
  • french to english: "J'habite à Londres depuis trois ans. J'aime la ville, mais je trouve qu'il pleut trop souvent."