From Zero to A1: How My Student Cleared DELF in 4 Months

Introduction

One of the most common questions I get is, “Can I really learn French fast if I’m starting from zero?”

The answer is YES—and I have proof. In just 4 months, one of my students went from knowing absolutely no French to clearing the DELF A1 exam with confidence. In this blog, I’ll share exactly how we did it and how you can follow the same path.

The Challenge

My student (let’s call her Priya) came to me with:

❌ Zero knowledge of French.

❌ No previous language-learning experience.

❌ A busy work schedule.

But she had one big strength: commitment. She was consistent, and that made all the difference.

The Roadmap We Followed

🔹 Month 1: Basics & Foundations

Learned the alphabet, greetings, numbers, days, and months.

Built confidence with short self-introductions (Je m’appelle Priya. J’habite en Inde.).

Focused on present tense verbs (être, avoir, aller, faire).

👉 Goal: Be able to form simple sentences.

🔹 Month 2: Vocabulary Expansion + Daily Situations

Learned common vocabulary (food, family, work, travel).

Practiced role-plays: ordering in a restaurant, asking for directions.

Started listening to beginner French audios (slow podcasts).

👉 Goal: Handle basic everyday conversations.

🔹 Month 3: Writing & Listening Practice

Practiced writing short paragraphs (50–80 words).

Learned how to describe routine, family, and hobbies.

Did listening exercises daily (children’s stories, A1-level recordings).

👉 Goal: Develop exam-style skills while improving comprehension.

🔹 Month 4: Exam-Focused Prep

Full practice tests under timed conditions.

Speaking practice with sample questions from past DELF A1 papers.

Worked on confidence & fluency (not perfection).

👉 Goal: Be exam-ready with clear strategies.

The Key Strategies That Worked

✔ Daily consistency: Just 30–45 minutes every single day.

✔ Speaking from Day 1: Even broken French helped build confidence.

✔ Listening early: She trained her ear to French sounds from the start.

✔ Targeted exam practice: In the final month, we focused only on exam-style questions.

The Result

✅ Priya passed her DELF A1 exam with flying colors in just 4 months!

She could now introduce herself, ask and answer simple questions, and handle everyday situations in French—all while balancing her job.

What You Can Learn From This

You don’t need years to learn French basics.

With structured learning and consistency, you can reach A1 in 4–5 months.

If your goal is TEF/TCF for PR, this is the perfect starting point—you’ll already have the foundation to aim for higher levels.

Conclusion

French might look tough at first, but with the right approach, progress can be fast. Priya’s story proves that even complete beginners can achieve real results in a short time.

If she could go from zero to A1 in 4 months, imagine where you could be in a year. 🚀