Do you want to learn English, Spanish, Italian, German or Chinese, but have no knowledge of the language?
Are you wondering how the first lesson works, whether you need to take a level test or how many hours will be needed to make progress?
Rest assured: it is entirely possible to start a foreign language with no prior knowledge. The aim of the first lessons is to define your starting point and build learning adapted to your needs.
Here is how to prepare for your first lessons and estimate the time needed to progress.
1. What does the A0 level mean?
The term A0 is often used to describe someone who is starting a language completely from scratch.
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) officially starts at level A1. A0 is therefore a practical label, not an official CEFR level.
At the beginning, you may only understand a few words, or you may know neither the vocabulary nor the rules of the language.
This does not prevent you from starting a course. The teacher simply needs to take your starting point into account.
You do not need to prepare for a level exam before you have started learning.
2. How does a first language lesson work?
A first lesson is about getting to know each other, understanding your goal and starting to familiarise you with the language.
The teacher may ask you questions about:
- the reasons why you want to learn;
- the situations in which you want to use the language;
- any previous experience you may have;
- the time you can devote to lessons and personal work.
If you are a complete beginner, there is no need to master grammar or know vocabulary before the session.
The teacher can start with simple elements: the sounds of the language, greetings, introducing yourself, a few essential words and some first sentences.
The aim is to let you enter the language gradually, without trying to learn everything from day one.
3. What will you learn at the beginning?
The content depends on the language, your goal and your pace. However, early learning often follows a comparable progression.
Understanding and pronouncing the first words
You discover the sounds of the language, their pronunciation and the most useful expressions.
Introducing yourself
You gradually learn to say your name, give some information about yourself and ask simple questions.
Building short sentences
You start using vocabulary and simple grammatical structures to communicate.
Understanding common questions
Little by little, you learn to recognise questions and answer them.
The priority is not to speak perfectly from the first sessions. It is to build solid foundations and start using the language.
4. How many hours does it take to reach a language level?
The time needed to learn a language depends on several factors: your native language, your previous knowledge, the language studied, the intensity of the lessons and your personal work.
The CEFR defines the skills expected at levels A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2, but it does not set an official number of hours to reach each level.
To estimate the learning time, you can nevertheless rely on indicative hour volumes published by specialised organisations.
As a guide, the following estimates are published in particular by Campus France for learning French:
| Level | Indicative cumulative hours |
|---|---|
| A1 – Introductory level | 60 to 100 hours |
| A2 – Elementary level | 150 to 200 hours |
| B1 – Intermediate level | 350 to 400 hours |
| B2 – Advanced level | 550 to 650 hours |
| C1 – Advanced autonomous level | 800 to 950 hours |
| C2 – Mastery | More than 1,000 hours |
These figures are orders of magnitude, not guarantees of progress. They are estimates for French and cannot be automatically transposed to all languages.
For English, Spanish, Italian, German or Chinese, the time needed may vary according to the characteristics of the language and the learner's profile.
How many hours should you plan when starting completely from scratch?
If you are starting from zero, level A1 is a first goal. It corresponds to the ability to understand and use familiar everyday expressions, to introduce yourself and to answer simple questions when the other person speaks slowly and clearly.
A volume of 60 to 100 hours can serve as a first estimate for French, but this figure should not be considered a universal rule.
Progress also depends on the regularity of the sessions and your practice between lessons.
Why can a 20-hour module be useful?
A 20-hour module allows you to start structured learning, work on specific skills and review your progress.
It is not necessarily enough to reach level A1 when starting from scratch. It can, however, be a first step towards acquiring the basics and determining the rest of your path.
The number of hours to plan should therefore be defined according to your starting level and your goal.
5. Individual or group lessons for a beginner?
The choice depends on the way you learn and the options available for the language concerned.
Individual lessons
In an individual lesson, the teacher can adapt the content to your pace and go back over the notions that cause you difficulty.
This option can be interesting if you are starting from zero, if you need personalised support or if you want to work on a specific goal.
The individual lessons offered by Institut Fonelia can be organised in person in Nantes or remotely, according to the arrangements of the course.
Group lessons
A group allows you to discover the language with other learners and take part in collective activities.
However, entry levels and available sessions vary by language. You should therefore check that the course offered accepts complete beginners.
For English, for example, the mini-groups presented by Institut Fonelia correspond to levels A2 to B2. Someone starting completely from scratch should therefore check the individual option suited to their starting level.
6. How to prepare for your first lesson?
You do not need to learn word lists before signing up. However, you can think about a few questions to help the teacher prepare your programme.
Define your goal
Why do you want to learn this language?
Is it to travel, communicate with relatives, develop professionally, prepare a project or simply learn something new?
A concrete goal helps to guide the sessions.
Assess your availability
Can you attend one lesson a week? Two sessions? Do you have time to revise between lessons?
Regularity matters. It is better to choose a realistic pace than to plan too many hours and be unable to keep it up.
Choose your format
Think about your availability and your preference between in-person lessons and video conferencing.
Accept making mistakes
At the beginning, it is normal to hesitate, to search for words and to mispronounce certain sounds. Mistakes are part of learning.
The key is to practise gradually and to receive corrections that help you progress.
7. How to progress between lessons?
Sessions with the teacher are important, but small regular activities between lessons can help you consolidate what you have learned.
You can, for example:
- review the vocabulary from the last session;
- listen to a few minutes of content suited to your level;
- repeat the sentences worked on in class;
- write a few simple sentences;
- try to reuse the new expressions in a real situation.
There is no need to spend several hours a day on these activities. What matters is practising regularly and reusing the notions already covered.
8. Can you fund individual lessons with the CPF?
Some language courses offered by Institut Fonelia are listed on Mon Compte Formation.
Eligibility depends on the chosen offer and the applicable conditions. Before signing up, check in particular the accepted starting level, the programme, the number of hours and the certification arrangements.
The CPF should not be seen as automatic funding for all language courses. Available rights, ceilings and any financial contribution must be examined at the time of registration.
If you are a complete beginner, say so before choosing an offer: the programme must match your level and your goal.
FAQ: starting a language as a beginner
Can you learn a language with no prior knowledge?
Yes. You simply need to choose a course suited to complete beginners.
Do I need to take a level test if I have never studied the language?
Not necessarily in the form of a traditional test. A preliminary discussion is often enough to clarify your situation and determine the right option.
Will I speak from the first lesson?
You can start using simple words and sentences from the very first sessions. The complexity of the exchanges increases gradually.
How many hours does it take to reach level A1?
For French, indicative estimates put the required volume at around 60 to 100 hours. This varies according to the learner's profile and is not an official CEFR recommendation. For other languages, the volume may differ.
Is it better to take private lessons as a beginner?
Private lessons provide personalised support. They can be particularly interesting if you are starting from zero, but the best choice depends on your profile and the options available.
Start your learning in Nantes
Do you want to learn a language but do not know which option to choose?
Institut Fonelia offers private language lessons with support adapted to your goals. Describe your starting level, even if you have no knowledge at all, and explain what you want to learn.
Discover the private language lessons in Nantes or contact Institut Fonelia to discuss your project.
