French Upper Advanced 1 (B2.1) — Term 4, 2026
Course is not currently scheduled for this term.
New classes are added throughout the year as groups move through levels and demand increase. Contact us to register your interest or view currently available courses.
Move into B2 French in a structured, supportive course designed to develop more confident, sustained and responsive communication.
You’ll explore cities, neighbourhood identity and urban transformation while learning to develop ideas, justify opinions, compare perspectives and negotiate possible solutions more effectively.
Course: French Upper Advanced 1
Level: Upper Advanced / B2.1
Format: Small-group class
Course length: 10 weeks
Lesson length: 90 minutes per week
Textbook: Défi actuel 4
Best for: Students who have completed French Advanced 8 or already understand its main content
What You’ll Cover
- revision and consolidation of key B1 language
- moving from competent B1 communication towards more sustained B2 interaction
- describing and interpreting the identity and atmosphere of cities and neighbourhoods
- discussing photography, aesthetics and urban environments
- exploring iconic places and local identity
- discussing urban renewal, redevelopment and gentrification
- exploring housing, transport and public space
- discussing liveability, sustainability and future cities
- comparing competing community interests
- explaining causes and consequences of urban change
- using demonstrative and relative structures to connect ideas more precisely
- expressing cause, consequence, quantity and intensity
- developing and qualifying opinions with reasons and examples
- acknowledging contrasting perspectives
- negotiating priorities and possible compromises
- responding more spontaneously to questions and objections
Is This the Right Level?
This course is designed for students continuing directly from French Advanced 8.
You should already be comfortable discussing news and the media, using the passive voice and conditional tenses, expressing cause and consequence and participating in extended conversations about complex topics.
Students with previous French experience can review the full French Course Level Structure or contact ILB for help choosing the right class.
Course Book
The required course book is Défi actuel 4 and is purchased separately.
French Upper Advanced 1 begins a new textbook. Défi actuel 4 is used throughout the French B2 Upper Advanced sequence.
French Upper Advanced 1 uses selected material from Dossier 0 and Unit 1, Ville en vie.