Reach French B2

Proof required

Record a 6-minute unscripted monologue in French on an abstract topic (a concept, a debate, a piece of advice you'd give) — NOT a personal story. Include at least 2 idiomatic expressions that are not literal translations from English. Write 150 words on the difference between how you'd express this in informal speech vs. formal written French, with one concrete example of the shift.

What gets checked

• The topic is genuinely abstract — not biographical, not a narrative of events, but a discussion of ideas, arguments, or advice. If the monologue is mostly storytelling, B2 discourse range has not been shown
• Two idiomatic expressions are present and used naturally in context — not announced or forced. If they feel inserted as demonstrations, they are probably not yet internalized
• The register reflection is specific — names an actual structural or lexical difference between informal spoken and formal written French, not a vague 'informal is more casual'

Common mistakes

• Continuing to practice only with biographical and personal topics — the B2 barrier is abstract discourse; learners who only talk about their life, their family, and their job never break through it because personal topics don't force register flexibility or idiomatic range
• Treating idioms as a list to memorize rather than expressions to internalize through repeated use in real speech — a B2 idiom appears naturally because you've used it 20 times in conversation, not because you memorized its definition

Resources

What a verifier looks for

• Confirm that the topic is genuinely abstract — concepts, debates, arguments, advice. If the 6-minute monologue is primarily narrative ('I did X, then Y, then Z'), it does not demonstrate B2 discourse range regardless of grammar quality
• Listen for the 2 idiomatic expressions: are they used naturally in context, or inserted awkwardly as demonstrations? Ask the submitter to explain the idiom in French using different words — a genuinely internalized expression can be paraphrased
• Assess the register reflection: does the example show real structural or lexical flexibility (e.g. 'j'ai pas' vs 'je n'ai pas', 'super' vs 'excellent', elliptical sentences vs full subordinate clauses), or is it a vague claim about formality?

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Proof required

Submit the recording (45 minutes minimum, both sides clearly audible). Write 300 words on: the two topics covered and why you chose them, one moment where you expressed a reservation or qualification in French (quote the French you used), and one moment where you struggled to express a nuanced idea and what you did about it.

What gets checked

• Two distinct abstract topics are covered — at B2 the conversation should move between domains, not stay on one comfortable topic for 45 minutes
• The submitter's turns are extended and connected — several sentences of reasoning at a stretch, not one-sentence answers followed by silence
• The native speaker is responding at a natural pace — some accommodation is normal, but the recording should not sound like a slow-paced practice session throughout

Common mistakes

• Switching to biographical topics whenever abstract conversation becomes difficult — B2 extended discussion requires staying in uncomfortable territory and navigating through vocabulary gaps, not retreating to safe familiar content
• Letting sessions run short — a 20-minute session where you ran out of topics is not 45-minute B2 preparation. Plan topics in advance so the conversation has material to run on

Resources

What a verifier looks for

• Check that two distinct abstract topics are covered in the recording — not the same topic approached from different angles for 45 minutes
• Listen for extended turns from the learner: are they producing 3–5 connected sentences at a stretch, or short 1–2 sentence answers? B2 requires discourse-length production
• Ask the submitter to explain, in French, the reservation or qualification they quoted in their written account. Can they elaborate? If the quoted phrase was a one-off achievement, B2 production may not be consistent yet

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Proof required

Submit: (1) the title and source of the film or audio you consumed, (2) a 400-word summary in French of the main events, arguments, or content, and (3) a recording of the 20-minute discussion with a native speaker about it. The native speaker must ask at least 3 questions you didn't prepare for — their questions must be audible in the recording.

What gets checked

• The summary is accurate — the verifier can compare it against the source content. A summary that misrepresents key plot points or arguments suggests the listening comprehension gap was larger than B2
• The 400-word summary is written in French, not translated from English-language synopses. It should reflect what you actually understood, including what you missed or misheard
• The discussion shows genuine engagement with the specific content — not generic commentary that could apply to any film or podcast of the type

Common mistakes

• Using subtitles throughout the first viewing — B2 listening proof requires comprehension without written scaffold. One pass without subtitles, then subtitles for verification, is the correct practice pattern
• Writing the summary from memory 24 hours later — the proof summary should reflect genuine comprehension, and delayed recall significantly degrades accuracy for language learners at B2 level; write within 2 hours of consumption

Resources

What a verifier looks for

• If possible, watch the same film or listen to the same programme, then check the submitted summary against the actual content. Factual accuracy distinguishes genuine B2 comprehension from confident narration of guesses
• In the discussion recording, listen for specific references to the content — plot details, specific arguments made, moments that surprised the learner. Generic praise or criticism ('the film was interesting') suggests surface-level comprehension
• Ask the submitter to explain in French one specific moment from the content that they found surprising or difficult to follow. Their explanation should include specific details from the source

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