Learning Order (Exam First, Theory Later)
Goal: You can explain, justify, narrate clearly in all 4 skills.
Step 1 — Past Mastery (Start here)
Imparfait vs Passé composé → Plus-que-parfait
Why first?
TEF listening & speaking are full of past narration.
Learn:
- background vs event
- sequencing: avait déjà…
Step 2 — Conditionnel présent (Politeness + opinion)
Je voudrais, je pourrais, j’aimerais
Used everywhere:
- writing task
- speaking role play
- listening dialogues
Step 3 — Pronouns advanced (TEF loves this)
Order and combinations:
- le / lui / y / en
- Je lui en parle
Train through listening sentences.
Step 4 — Relative pronouns
qui, que, où → dont
Very frequent in reading texts.
Step 5 — Connectors for logic
parce que, donc, mais, alors, pourtant
Students must start linking ideas.
Step 6 — Basic Subjunctive
Only with:
- il faut que
- pour que
- je veux que
Step 7 — Reported speech
Il dit que…, il a expliqué que…
Very common in listening.
The Learning Flow You Should Follow
| Order | B1 | B2 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Past tenses | SI clauses |
| 2 | Conditionnel présent | Conditionnel passé |
| 3 | Pronouns combos | Subjunctive full |
| 4 | dont | Advanced connectors |
| 5 | Connectors basic | Passive voice |
| 6 | Subjunctive basic | Advanced relatives |
| 7 | Reported speech | Nominalisation |
Why this works for TEF
Because this is the exact grammar that appears in:
- Listening dialogues
- Reading traps
- Writing tasks
- Speaking role plays
Not academic order. Exam order.