Level B2 (Upper Intermediate)

Global Scale — Overall Communicative Ability

Reference: CEFR Table 1 — Common Reference Levels: Global Scale (B2)

• Understand the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in areas of personal or professional interest.
• Interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers possible without strain for either party.
• Produce clear, detailed, and well-structured spoken and written texts on a wide range of subjects, explaining viewpoints and presenting the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

Reception — Listening and Reading

Reference: CEFR Table 2 — Self-Assessment Grid (B2 Reception)

• Understand extended speech, lectures, and discussions, even when the structure is not explicitly signposted, provided the topic is reasonably familiar.
• Follow complex arguments and identify the speaker’s opinions, attitudes, and intentions in both formal and informal contexts.
• Understand most television programmes, news broadcasts, documentaries, and films in standard French.
• Read and understand articles, reports, and authentic texts dealing with contemporary issues in which writers express particular viewpoints.
• Identify the main ideas, supporting details, and implied meanings in literary and non-literary texts.
• Read and interpret professional correspondence, instructions, and factual or argumentative documents with a high level of comprehension.

Interaction — Spoken and Written

Reference: CEFR Table 2 — Self-Assessment Grid (B2 Interaction)

• Participate actively and confidently in conversations, discussions, and debates on familiar and unfamiliar topics.
• Express and defend opinions, negotiate solutions, and respond appropriately to differing viewpoints.
• Communicate effectively with native speakers using appropriate levels of formality and politeness.
• Ask and answer complex questions, clarify misunderstandings, and sustain conversations with minimal hesitation.
• Write clear, detailed emails, letters, and messages appropriate to academic, professional, and personal contexts.
• Collaborate effectively in written exchanges by responding to ideas, providing explanations, and supporting arguments.

Production — Spoken and Written

Reference: CEFR Table 2 — Self-Assessment Grid (B2 Production)

• Deliver clear, well-organized presentations and explanations on a wide range of familiar and specialized topics.
• Describe experiences, events, and abstract concepts using appropriate detail and a broad range of vocabulary.
• Present arguments logically, supporting opinions with relevant examples and evidence.
• Produce coherent written texts such as reports, essays, summaries, and formal correspondence with appropriate organization and style.
• Summarize information from multiple spoken and written sources while maintaining accuracy and coherence.
• Adapt spoken and written language to suit different audiences and communicative purposes.

Qualitative Aspects of Spoken Language Use

Reference: CEFR Table 3 — Qualitative Aspects of Spoken Language Use (B2)

• Range: Use a broad vocabulary and a variety of grammatical structures to discuss both familiar and abstract topics with flexibility.
• Accuracy: Demonstrate good grammatical control with only occasional minor errors that do not interfere with communication.
• Fluency: Speak at a natural pace with relatively few pauses, maintaining spontaneous and effective communication.
• Interaction: Participate actively in discussions, manage turn-taking effectively, develop arguments, and respond appropriately to others’ contributions.
• Coherence: Produce clear, well-structured discourse using a variety of cohesive devices and connectors to organize ideas logically.