How Long Does it Take to Jump from B1 to B2 in French Speaking?

It is the most common question in TEF Canada preparation forums: "I just took a practice test and got a B1 in Expression Orale. I need NCLC 7 (B2) for my PR. How many months will this take?"

The frustrating reality is that the journey from A1 (Beginner) to B1 (Intermediate) is incredibly fast. You learn to conjugate verbs, memorize the top 500 words, and suddenly you can survive a trip to Paris.

But the jump from B1 to B2 is notoriously difficult. Linguists call this the "Intermediate Plateau." The gains stop being obvious. You feel stuck.

Here is the data, the timeline, and the exact strategy needed to break out of the B1 plateau and secure your NCLC 7.

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