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In brief
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Duration: Program type 6–18 months; registration: 2–8 weeks
Cost: Free (OFII, Employment, Associations Department); DELF/TCF : 100–200 €
On-site only

Who this guide is for

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  • You if you have signed a CIR with the OFII and your level is below A2
  • You if you are a job seeker and want to improve your French for work
  • You if you want to progress free of charge via associations or town hall

To be prepared in advance

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  • Residence permit or receipt
  • Proof of domicile
  • Level test result (OUT Pluto, OFII positioning test) — if already passed

Step-by-step procedure

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  1. 1Identify the source. Three main routes: (1) OFII — for holders of a grade ≥1 with CIR, up to 200–600 h; (2) Pôle Emploi — via the AIF (Individual Aid to Training), for job seekers; (3) associations and town halls — courses open to all.
  2. 2For the OFII: level test after signing the CIR. If the result is less than A2, the OFII may prescribe language training with a partner organisation. Free classes, usually 1–2 times/week, day or evening.
  3. 3For Pôle Emploi: contact your advisor, ask for a linguistic report. If necessary — the AIF finances courses in approved centres (CNAM, GRETA, IFOCOP Group). Up to 1 200 h, unpaid.
  4. 4For associations: search through the city hall, Russian-speaking Facebook groups, the service-public website.fr "Cartography FLE". Examples: ATD Fourth World, Popular Relief, Catholic Relief, ASSFAM.
  5. 5Universities and GRETA: paid courses, but with the CPF (Training Personnel Account) — up to 800 € usable. Check on mytraining.gouv.fr.
  6. 6Online resources (full, non-replacement): TV5MONDE Learn, French with Pierre (YouTube), Duolingo, Babilou. For dictation and grammar — "La conjugation française".
  7. 7Tests and certificates: the attestation of the OFII confirms the presence and results of the course, but does not replace the proof requested by a procedure. A first relevant card can request B1 and naturalization by decree B2; check the DELF, TCF or TEF allowed in the official card.
  8. 8Duration: a typical long course 6–18 months. To reach B1 or B2 from zero, the volume depends on the initial level and the rhythm; regularity counts more than a promised duration.

Common mistakes

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  • Believing that free courses are only for beginners: there are intermediate (B1) and advanced (B2) levels, but the requirement depends on the procedure.
  • Enroling in several programs at a time — trainers don't like it, and another place will be occupied.
  • Do not attend regularly — loss of place in the group, no attestation.
  • Pay courses without checking the free offer OFII/Pôle Emploi — often unnecessary expenses.
  • Only rely on the Internet without living practice — oral progress is only as a group.

Official sources

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Show sources in this section

Useful links

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DELF B1: certificateDELF vs TCF : comparativeIntegration Section

Important remark

Programs can evolve. Indicative information; list of partners OFII on ofii.fr from your department.

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