Study plans & methods
A2 to B1/B2 in 12 weeks: a sprint plan for the TCF Canada
If you already have A2 (you can handle everyday situations and talk about the past) twelve focused weeks at 12–15 hours a week can bring you to B1+ and, for many English speakers, to NCLC 7 in at least some skills.
Updated November 2026 · 3 min read
The short answer
- Three blocks: weeks 1–4 consolidate B1 grammar, weeks 5–8 switch to exam format, weeks 9–12 simulate.
- Every week includes listening and reading practice, two essays and two spoken opinions.
- Checkpoint mocks at week 4, 8 and 11 tell you which skill to prioritise.
- Reaching B2 in all four skills in 12 weeks from A2 is ambitious; plan a buffer.
1Weeks 1–4: lock in B1 grammar
- Passé composé vs imparfait in stories; futur simple; conditional for hypotheses.
- Pronouns le/la/lui/leur/en/y and relatives qui/que/où/dont.
- Connectors for argument: d'abord, de plus, cependant, en revanche, donc.
- Daily: 30 minutes of listening, 20 of reading, 15 of flashcards.
- Week 4: diagnostic mock.
2Weeks 5–8: switch to exam format
- Listening and reading in TCF format, at B1–B2 difficulty; review every mistake and name the trap.
- Writing: one Task 1 and one Task 3 a week, plus one Task 2. Use a fixed structure.
- Speaking: Task 2 question drills (15 different questions per scenario) and Task 3 opinions with two arguments and a concession.
- Week 8: mock exam.
3Weeks 9–12: simulate and fix
- Two full timed mocks.
- Most hours on the weakest skill.
- Speaking: three full 12-minute simulations with a partner or tutor.
- Week 11: final mock; decide whether to sit the test in week 12–13 or postpone.
Decision rule: book when listening and reading mocks are 470+ and writing and speaking are reliably 11+. Otherwise give yourself four more weeks. See the last-month sprint.
4Frequently asked questions
Can I go from A2 to B2 French in three months?+
Sometimes, with 12–15 hours a week and good feedback, especially in reading. Many learners reach solid B1 in 12 weeks and need another one to three months for B2 in all four skills.
Keep reading
Zero to NCLC 7 in 12 months: the roadmapFive stages from A1 to the TCF sprint, with goals, tasks and mistakes for each.Stuck at A2? Switch to practice-driven learningWhy grammar and words don't stick, the 70/30 method, error classification, and a 7-day plan.The last month before the TCF CanadaDiagnose, fix the weakest skill, lock in task structures, simulate, and taper.A2–B1: correct your own writing, build natural speakingA four-point self-check, functional phrases, a Task 2 question grid, and shadowing.
Turn the method into points
Practise with levelled TCF Canada questions and full mock exams built for NCLC 7, with an explanation for every answer.