French Language Learning — Learning Roadmap¶

This roadmap is your study plan. Work through the phases in order. Each phase builds directly on the previous one. Mark your current position with ← You Are Here and update it as you progress.

Prerequisites Map¶

No prior French knowledge is required. This topic starts from absolute zero.

No prerequisites — begin at Module 01

If you have existing French knowledge, take the Module 01 test. Score ≥ 85% → consider starting at Module 04 or 05.

Learning Path Visualization¶

flowchart TD
    A([No Prerequisites — Start Here]) --> B

    subgraph P1["Phase 1: Foundation  •  A1  •  Weeks 1–4"]
        B["Module 01: Introduction — Sounds & Alphabet"]
        B --> C["Module 02: Greetings and Basic Communication"]
        C --> D["Module 03: Nouns and Articles"]
    end

    subgraph P2["Phase 2: Core Grammar  •  A2  •  Weeks 5–10"]
        E["Module 04: Verbs — Present Tense"]
        E --> F["Module 05: Adjectives and Descriptions"]
    end

    subgraph P3["Phase 3: Applied Grammar  •  B1–B2  •  Weeks 11–20"]
        G["Module 06: Past Tenses"]
        G --> H["Module 07: Future and Conditional"]
        H --> I["Module 08: Pronouns"]
        I --> J["Module 09: Subjunctive and Advanced Grammar"]
    end

    subgraph P4["Phase 4: Mastery  •  C1  •  Weeks 21–30"]
        K["Module 10: Reading and Cultural Context"]
        K --> L["Module 11: Speaking and Writing Production"]
        L --> M["Module 12: Capstone Project"]
        M --> N(["C1+ Proficiency ✓"])
    end

    D --> E
    F --> G
    J --> K

    style A fill:#2a9d8f,color:#fff,stroke:none
    style N fill:#2a9d8f,color:#fff,stroke:none
    style P1 fill:#edf2fb,stroke:#8d99ae
    style P2 fill:#fef3c7,stroke:#d97706
    style P3 fill:#fee2e2,stroke:#dc2626
    style P4 fill:#dcfce7,stroke:#16a34a

Phase Breakdown¶

Phase 1: Foundation (A1)¶

Goal: Understand how French sounds, build pronunciation habits, learn the first vocabulary and greetings, and understand grammatical gender in nouns and articles. Leave Phase 1 able to introduce yourself, count, and read simple French aloud.

Phase 1 Exit Criteria:

• Can introduce yourself, ask for someone's name, and respond in French
• Can count to 100, give a date, and tell simple time expressions
• Scores ≥ 70% on Module 01, 02, and 03 tests
• Can read a simple French sentence aloud with correct pronunciation
• Understands and can apply grammatical gender to nouns with articles

Milestone unlocked: Foundation Built

Phase 2: Core Grammar (A2)¶

Goal: Build a working sentence-forming ability in the present tense. Master être, avoir, and the most common verbs. Describe people and things with adjectives. Leave Phase 2 able to hold a basic conversation in the present tense.

Phase 2 Exit Criteria:

• Can conjugate all regular -ER, -IR, -RE verbs in the present tense
• Can use être, avoir, aller, faire, pouvoir, vouloir, savoir correctly
• Can describe people, places, and objects using adjectives with correct agreement
• Scores ≥ 70% on Module 04 and 05 tests

Milestone unlocked: A2 Reached

Phase 3: Applied Grammar (B1–B2)¶

Goal: Expand into the past, future, and conditional. Master the pronoun system. Learn the subjunctive and advanced connectors. Leave Phase 3 able to discuss past events, future plans, hypothetical situations, and complex ideas with grammatical accuracy.

Phase 3 Exit Criteria:

• Can narrate a past event correctly using passé composé and imparfait
• Can discuss future plans and conditional scenarios using futur simple and conditionnel
• Can use COD and COI pronouns correctly in all tenses
• Can recognize and use the subjunctive with common trigger expressions
• Scores ≥ 75% on Modules 06–09

Milestone unlocked: B1–B2 Reached

Phase 4: Mastery (C1+)¶

Goal: Develop authentic reading strategies, master formal writing, build speaking fluency, and synthesize all prior knowledge into a substantial production project. Leave Phase 4 able to read and write in French at a professional level.

Phase 4 Exit Criteria:

• Can read a Le Monde editorial or literary excerpt with ≥ 80% comprehension
• Can write a structured 400-word essay with correct grammar, varied vocabulary, and appropriate register
• Can deliver a 5–7 minute presentation in French on a chosen topic
• Scores ≥ 80% on Modules 10–11
• Capstone project submitted and assessed

Milestone unlocked: C1 Capstone, Topic Complete

Time Estimates Summary¶

[!NOTE] These estimates cover active study of this curriculum. CEFR estimates for reaching C1 total approximately 700 hours — the difference should be filled with supplementary listening (radio, podcasts, films), independent reading, and conversation practice. The curriculum provides structure; immersion provides volume.

Milestone Definitions¶

Alternative Paths¶

Fast Track (Prior French Experience)¶

If you studied French in school and have retained some vocabulary and basic grammar:

Take Module 01 test → Score ≥ 85%? → Start at Module 04
Take Module 04 test → Score ≥ 85%? → Start at Module 06

Be honest: proceeding too fast creates grammatical fossilization — errors that become habitual and very hard to fix later.

Deep Dive Path (Maximum Accuracy)¶

For learners who prioritize grammatical accuracy and formal register:

• After each module: copy key rules into CHEATSHEET.md in your own words
• After Phase 2: begin reading simple authentic texts (Le Petit Prince, graded readers)
• After Phase 3: Listen to daily RFI Journal en français facile — a 10-minute news bulletin at B1 level

Immersion-Enhanced Path (Learn by Exposure)¶

For learners who can supplement with immersion:

Phase 1 → Start watching French films with French subtitles (not English)
Phase 2 → Add a French podcast 3x/week (e.g., Coffee Break French)
Phase 3 → Begin reading one article per day in French (Le Monde, RFI)
Phase 4 → Find a conversation partner or tutored speaking practice

You Are Here¶

Current Phase: Not started

Current Module: None — begin at Module 01

Last Completed Module: None

Next Action: Open Module 01 and read the Overview section.

Update this section each time you advance to a new module or phase.