LEVEL DESCRIPTION ACCORDING TO THE CEFR

COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK OF REFERENCE FOR LANGUAGES (CEFR)

A1 (Elementary)

At the A1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), learners can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and basic phrases aimed at satisfying concrete needs. They can introduce themselves and others, ask and answer questions about personal details such as where they live, people they know, and things they have. In reading, they can understand familiar names, words, and very simple sentences. Listening skills allow them to recognize familiar words and basic phrases concerning themselves, their family, and immediate concrete surroundings when people speak slowly and clearly. In writing, they can write short, simple postcards, for example, holiday greetings, and fill in forms with personal details, such as a name, nationality, and address. Speaking skills include the ability to interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

A2 (Pre-Intermediate)

At the A2 level, learners can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). They can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar topics and activities. Reading skills at this level include understanding short, simple texts containing high-frequency vocabulary and shared international expressions. Listening comprehension involves understanding phrases and the highest frequency vocabulary related to areas of personal relevance. Writing skills enable them to write short, simple notes and messages relating to matters in areas of immediate need. Speaking abilities at the A2 level allow them to handle very short social exchanges and ask and answer questions in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics.

B1 (Intermediate)

At the B1 level, learners can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. They can deal with most situations likely to arise while traveling in an area where the language is spoken. Reading comprehension includes the ability to understand texts that consist mainly of high-frequency everyday language. Listening skills involve understanding the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Writing skills at this level allow them to produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest. Speaking abilities include dealing with most situations likely to arise while traveling, describing experiences and events, dreams, hopes, and ambitions, and briefly giving reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

B2 (Upper Intermediate)

Learners at the B2 level can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialization. They can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Reading comprehension involves understanding articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems in which the writers adopt particular attitudes or viewpoints. Listening skills include understanding extended speech and lectures and following complex lines of argument provided the topic is reasonably familiar. Writing skills allow them to 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. Speaking abilities include presenting clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to their field of interest and explaining a viewpoint on a topical issue.

C1 (Advanced)

At the C1 level, learners can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning. They can express themselves fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Reading skills include understanding a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognizing implicit meanings. Listening comprehension involves understanding extended speech even when it is not clearly structured and when relationships are only implied and not signaled explicitly. Writing skills allow them to produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors, and cohesive devices. Speaking abilities include expressing ideas fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions, using language flexibly and effectively for social, academic, and professional purposes, and producing clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects.

C2 (Proficient)

Learners at the C2 level can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. They can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Reading skills at this level involve easily understanding virtually all forms of written language, including abstract, structurally or linguistically complex texts such as manuals, specialized articles, and literary works. Listening comprehension allows them to easily understand any kind of spoken language, whether live or broadcast, even when delivered at fast native speed, provided they have some time to get familiar with the accent. Writing skills enable them to produce clear, smoothly flowing text in an appropriate style, with effective logical structure helping the reader to notice and remember significant points. Speaking abilities include expressing themselves spontaneously, very fluently, and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.

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