Are you ready to take your language skills to the next level? The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) might sound like a mouthful, but it’s your secret weapon to achieving fluency! Think of it like a game but for language learners! The CEFR is an international standard used to assess language proficiency on a scale of six levels — from A1 (Beginner) to C2 (Advanced). With the CEFR, you can set goals and track your progress as you work your way up the levels. And don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! We’ll break down each level so you can see where you currently stand and what you need to know to reach the next level.
A1: Beginner
At the A1 level, you should be able to:
Understand and use basic phrases and expressions.
Introduce yourself and ask and answer basic questions about personal information, such as where you live, people you know, and things you have.
Interact in a simple way, provided the other person speaks slowly and clearly.
A2: Elementary
At the A2 level, you should be able to:
Understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance, such as personal and family information, shopping, local geography, and employment.
Communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a basic and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.
Describe in simple terms, aspects of your background, immediate environment, and matters in areas of immediate need.
B1: Intermediate
At the B1 level, you should be able to:
Understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
Deal with most situations likely to arise while travelling in an area where the language is spoken.
Produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest.
Describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes, and ambitions, and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
B2: Upper-Intermediate
At the B2 level, you should be able to:
Understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in your field of specialization.
Interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party.
Produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
C1: Advanced
At the C1 level, you should be able to:
Understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning.
Express yourself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions.
Use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic, and professional purposes.
Produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors, and cohesive devices.
C2: Proficient
At the C2 level, you should be able to:
Understand with ease virtually everything heard or read.
Summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation.
Express yourself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations.
The CEFR levels provide a useful framework for measuring language proficiency. By understanding the skills required at each level, you can set achievable language learning goals and track your progress over time. Good luck on your language-learning journey!
Do you want a certification to prove your level of English? Why not take the Oxford Test of English exam? It’s the only English language proficiency test certified by the University of Oxford.
