French citizens fail language tests for foreigners seeking residency
Native speakers found to struggle with exams coming in under stricter rules for those who want to stay in country
That reminds me of French lessons in my kids' school. In my daughters class were two French native speakers who nearly failed the course.
And the group of French teachers at the school were wondering why pupils usually dropped that subject at the first possible moment, I.e. in class 9.
So I'm old enough and from a poor (at the time) enough area that I was taught French from middle school to the first years of high school... I learned nothing.
I learned English by myself just by reading stuff online.
I have worked in France for 20+ years, and I still have to take that stupid test. It's expensive and bureaucratic too, guess it's not only ti test your language skills.
IIRC it's only valid a certain number of months too, explain that!
Well shit, I never thought I’d value the German bureaucracy. I’m an immigrant who teaches German classes in Germany and they waived my language requirement. I was honestly surprised, I figured I would just pay the stupid money and have the most relaxed oral exam in my life, but they were somehow organized enough to recognize my master’s degree in German.
I married a German though, and getting the marriage license took about five months, and it was only valid for six weeks.
getting the marriage license took about five months, and it was only valid for six weeks.
That sounds about right for government efficiency.
The text states anyone applying for nationality must “provide evidence of a level of language enabling them to at least understand the essential context of concrete or abstract subjects in a complex test, to communicate spontaneously and to express themselves clearly and in detail on a wide variety of subjects”.
I mean, this is a challenge for a lot of people including me even in their birth tongue.
Félix Guyon of the Thot school that helps refugees and asylum seekers learn French said...
They're teaching that now?
Brb I have to enroll in the thot school.
This article misses a lot of details regarding the actual proficiency.
The way language proficiency in Europe is measured is with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (Abbreviated as CEFR, CEF, or CEFRL).
The date that the required French proficiency will change is January 1st 2026.
Most important proficiency changes:
(The actual definitions of these levels can be found at the CEFR link above. It's too big to post.)
French courses seem to teach these levels within these durations:
A2 can be reached with short form apps such as Duolingo. B1 often requires books or courses. B2 is where you'll most likely have to start conversing in French. (Duolingo is said to be able to teach B2 French, but I consider this questionable).
Duolingo will not teach you b2 in any language. If you want permanent residency isnt it just easier to find people to speak with? Idk what it is in other places but theres a sort of "language cafe" people here in sweden do. You basically just speak to practice the language.
Yes, that's why I wrote my message the way I wrote it.
People that would learn using apps and books will have a harder time now and will most likely not pass.
Scaré bleu
Scary blue indeed
🟦🫐BOO🐬💙
Really hard language and shitty education system!
