Complete guide to CEFR language levels

Not sure what your language level is? Whether you want to estimate your level in a certain language or if you really need it for studies or work, don't worry! Here we explain everything about the CEFR levels so that you can find out what your level is.

What is the CEFR?

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is an internationally recognised standard used as a reference for measuring and defining language proficiency for a given language.

As this standard is not language-specific as it was originally established for any European language, unlike other frameworks such as the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Proficiency Guidelines (ACTFL) or the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB), it's more popular than other standards and is widely used all over the world.

If you start looking for your language course you will see that many courses are offered for a particular language level, although many others are offered at all levels of the CEFR. If you know your CEFR level, start looking for the course that suits you best. In our guide we tell you how to choose the right course and destination for you.

What are the CEFR levels?

You should know that the Council of Europe recognises 6 different levels within the CEFR depending on your understanding of the language:

• Level A1: Beginner.
• Level A2: Basic.
• Level B1: Intermediate.
• Level B2: Upper Intermediate.
• Level C1: Advanced.
• Level C2: Proficient.

Regarding these levels, there are 3 types of user on a global scale within the CEFR:

• Basic user - Levels A.
• Independent user - Levels B.
• Proficient user - Levels C.

CEFR A1 Language Level

Level A1 is the equivalent of a beginner's level and is defined by the following points:

• Understanding and using very basic everyday phrases.
• Introducing oneself and others.
• Asking and answering questions about personal details (where you live, what people you have around you, what you have, etc. ).
• Interacting in a simple way.

CEFR A2 Language level

Level A2 is the second level in terms of difficulty and corresponds to a basic level of the language. Among other things, the user is able to do the following:

• Understand sentences and frequently used expressions.
• Communicate by exchanging simple and direct information on familiar and daily topics.
• Describe in simple terms their past, their environment and matters related to immediate needs.

CEFR B1 Language Level

At level B1, there is a leap towards becoming an independent user and corresponds to an intermediate level. You must be able to do the following in order to be considered at this level:

• Understand the main ideas of information on common topics such as work, studies, leisure, etc.
• Deal with most situations likely to arise while travelling in an area where the language is spoken.
• Produce simple, coherent texts on familiar topics and topics of personal interest.

  Describe experiences, events, dreams and ambitions and briefly give opinions on topics and plans.

CEFR B2 Language Level B2

The step up from the previous level to this B2 level is one of the most significant, as this level is one of the most internationally recognised levels for studies, work, etc. At this upper intermediate level, the learner should be able to:

• Understand the main ideas of complex texts on specific or abstract topics.
• Interact with a sufficiently high degree of fluency to be able to speak with native speakers of the language without great difficulty on either side.
• Produce clear, detailed texts on a wide range of subjects and explain points of view, giving the advantages and disadvantages of different options.

CEFR C1 Language Level

Level C1 is already an advanced level, which is in demand for specialised job offers and higher education. The user is proficient and should be able to do the following:

• Understand a wide range of fairly complex and long texts and recognise implicit meaning.
• Express themselves fluently and spontaneously without having to think too much about expressions.
• Use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes.
• Produce clear, well-structured, detailed texts on complex subjects, with good use of organisation and connectors and with good cohesion.

CEFR C2 Language Level

If you were wondering what the highest level of a language is, here you go! Level C2 is the highest level of a language in the CEFR and corresponds to a proficient level. Any user at this level should be able to:

• Understand with ease virtually everything they hear or read in the language.
• Summarise arguments and stories and information from different spoken and written sources in an organised and coherent way.
• Express themselves spontaneously with great fluency and accuracy, identifying nuances even in complex situations.

How do I know my language level?

If you want to know what your CEFR language level is, you can find out in two ways:

1. Take the CEFR self-assessment. On the Council of Europe website, section "The CEFR levels", you can find Table 2 for self-assessing your language level. Just select the language in which you want to consult the table and you will be able to assess your level as a guideline.
2. Take a standardised test. Most schools and institutions that offer language courses test students to find out their level much more accurately so that they can make the most of the course and learn appropriately. So, if you are not sure what your language level is or if you hesitate between two levels, don't worry! The school will assess your skills and let you know your level so that everything goes as smoothly as possible.

Improve your language level in just a few weeks

There are plenty of options for improving your level, but you might not know where to start with so much to choose from, right? How about a language course abroad? By now, you may well know that the best way to learn a language is to fully immerse yourself in a country where it is spoken. Not only will you practise with teachers and other students, but you'll immerse yourself in the culture and make huge progress in a matter of days, unlike what you can get from an online or face-to-face course in your own country. Don't forget that at Erasmusu Education we guide you to choose your course and have the best experience abroad.

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