French speaking practice: a prompt at your level, feedback on the CEFR scale

How can I practice speaking French on my own?

In short: Choose a target level, take a CEFRHub prompt or speak freely, then record yourself. The analysis places your recording on the CEFR scale and tells you what to work on for your next practice.

1. 1Choose speaking and “French” as the assessed language, then a target level, from A1 to C2, or “I don't know” (level B1): the tool offers a CEFRHub prompt at that level, and “Another prompt” gives you a new one. You can also choose free production and speak on a topic of your choice.
2. 2Record yourself on the spot or upload an audio file. The prompt stays on screen with the expected duration; from B2, use the preparation time to jot down a few key words without writing out your answer.
3. 3Read the analysis, which arrives in under 3 minutes: your level and sub-level on the CEFR scale, the descriptors that apply to your production, your strengths and what to work on next.

CEFRHub is an educational assessment aligned with the CEFR: it is neither an official exam nor a certification, and it is not a conversation partner. It assesses spoken production; it does not measure listening comprehension.

What can I talk about? One prompt per level

In short: The CEFRHub bank has two speaking prompts per level, from A1 to C2, each with an expected duration; from B2, a preparation time; at C1 and C2, short fictional documents to build on. Here is one per level.

One prompt per level, as the tool shows it. The prompts are in French; the analysis takes the prompt into account.

In the tool, the level you choose sets the prompt; “I don't know” offers a B1 prompt. Free production remains the default: the prompt is optional.

What feedback do I get on my recording?

In short: Your level and sub-level, the CEFR descriptors that apply to your production, your strengths and what is left to work on.

• The detected level places your production on the CEFR scale, from A1 to C2.
• The report is based on the descriptors of the CEFR and its Companion Volume, which it quotes.
• It analyzes three competences (linguistic, sociolinguistic, pragmatic), with examples taken from your production.
• It then gives your strengths, points to improve and recommendations.

The sub-level places your production within the level: .1, the level is reached; .2, it is consolidated and features of the next level are starting to appear, what the CEFR calls a “plus” level (A2+, B1+, B2+). A2, B1 and B2 have two sub-levels; A1, C1 and C2 have none.

The free account gets a basic report (about 500 words) and a 2-page PDF summary; the full report in the sample corresponds to the paid plans.

How long should I speak at my level?

In short: From 30 to 45 seconds at A1 to 2 to 3 minutes at C2. A recording under 15 seconds is not assessed; with the free account, you can record up to 3 minutes.

A recording under 15 seconds is not assessed.

With the free account, you can record up to 3 minutes: the longest expected duration in the bank, 2 to 3 minutes, fits.

Speaking practice or level test: what's the difference?

In short: It is the same assessment. To find out your level, start with the level test; to practice, pick a prompt at the level you are aiming for and work on the points the analysis gives you.

The level test and speaking practice use the same assessment. The level test page explains how CEFRHub places a production on the CEFR scale, and how this differs from a quiz or an official exam. This page is about practicing: choosing a prompt, speaking for the expected duration and working on the feedback.

Is French speaking practice free?

In short: The first spoken assessment is free, once, with no credit card. After that, each spoken assessment uses one credit, from CA$5, or is included in a subscription.

Free to start, no credit card: one spoken assessment offered once and one written assessment every 30 days. After that, credits with no subscription from CA$5 (1 credit = 1 assessment), or a subscription: Professional at CA$49/month (50 assessments), Power at CA$89/month (200 assessments), Expert at CA$179/month (unlimited assessments, under a fair-use policy: 50 analyses per day). 7-day money-back guarantee on the first subscription (full refund if 5 assessments or fewer); cancel anytime, with no cancellation fees. Plus applicable taxes.

When is the feedback less reliable?

In short: When the recording is short or far from the task, or close to the boundary between two levels. Aim for at least the expected duration for your level.

• The result is an educational diagnosis. A short recording, or one far from the task, gives fewer clues: the result is less certain.
• The shorter your recording, the less reliable the result. Aim for at least the expected duration for your level (table above): from 30 to 45 seconds at A1 up to 2 to 3 minutes at C2.
• Near the boundary between two levels (e.g. B1/B2), the AI may under- or over-estimate the level.
• Record yourself somewhere quiet: background noise gets in the way of the analysis.
• A text read aloud or learned by heart does not show the same thing as spontaneous speech: the tool asks you for the production type to take this into account.
• CEFRHub assesses spoken production; it does not measure listening comprehension.