Free French learning guides
Practical guides written by the Vocalyra teaching team. Each one answers a specific question and points to the practice that helps next.
Language Journal
Practical articles on study habits, pronunciation, grammar and common learning problems.
Read the JournalFrench grammar
- French gender rules: masculine or feminine?
Practical French gender rules: word endings that usually signal masculine or feminine nouns, the main exceptions, and a short self-check.
- French connectors for B1 and B2
French linking words grouped by function — addition, contrast, cause, consequence, concession, example, conclusion — with nuance and examples for B1–B2 writing and speaking.
- The French present tense: -er, -ir and -re verbs
How to conjugate French verbs in the present: regular -er and -ir endings, the many patterns of third-group verbs, spelling changes and short practice.
- Futur proche and passé récent in French
How to form and use the futur proche (aller + infinitive) and the passé récent (venir de + infinitive), with contrasts, pronoun placement and examples.
French pronunciation
- French pronunciation for Brazilian Portuguese speakers
What Brazilians find easy and hard in French pronunciation: the French R, nasal vowels, rounded vowels /y ø œ/, final consonants, liaison and rhythm.
- French pronunciation for Spanish speakers
The main French pronunciation challenges for Spanish speakers: a larger vowel system, /y/, the French R, nasal vowels, silent endings, liaison and rhythm.
- French pronunciation for English speakers
A practical French pronunciation guide for English speakers covering R, /y/ and /u/, pure and nasal vowels, final consonants, liaison, rhythm and schwa.
Progress & study plans
- How long does it take to reach B2 in French?
Realistic ranges of study hours to reach B2 French, and the factors that make timelines shorter or longer: starting level, intensity, prior languages and speaking practice.
TCF / Canada
- A study plan for B2 on the TCF Canada
An independent study plan for learners aiming at B2-level results on the TCF Canada: listening, speaking, reading, writing, dictation, mock exams and a sample week.
- TCF Canada score to NCLC: conversion table and lookup
Convert TCF Canada results to NCLC levels by skill with the current Canada.ca table, a free lookup tool, and a clear explanation of NCLC versus CEFR B2.
- TEF Canada vs TCF Canada: how the two formats compare
A neutral side-by-side comparison of the TEF Canada and TCF Canada formats, based on official sources, to help you decide which French test fits your situation.
- TCF Canada speaking tasks: format, strategy and practice
The three TCF Canada speaking tasks explained, with official timings, answer frameworks, common pitfalls and original Vocalyra practice prompts.
- TCF Canada writing tasks: word counts, structure and practice
The three TCF Canada writing tasks: official word counts and timing, a structure for each task, common mistakes and original Vocalyra practice prompts.
- TCF Canada listening guide
Prepare for TCF Canada listening with verified format facts, practical listening strategies, a weekly routine and original Vocalyra study exercises.
- TCF Canada reading guide
Prepare for TCF Canada reading with verified format facts, scanning and close-reading strategies, pacing advice and original Vocalyra study guidance.