*What is the CEFR?
The CEFR – Common European Framework of Reference for Languages – criteria highlight what you are ABLE to do in real-life situations. This scale of language proficiency was elaborated by the Council of Europe in order to set standard levels for languages.
It will give you an idea of where you stand at the beginning of your learning, and also help you visualize your progress.
A1
Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
A2
Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases. Can introduce him/herself and others and ask and answer questions about personal details. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, and matters in areas of immediate needs.
B1
Can understand the main points of a conversation regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can produce simple, connected texts. Can describe experiences, feelings, events and plans. Can briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions.
B2
Can understand the main ideas of complex texts on concrete and abstract subjects, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with fluency and spontaneity with native speakers. Can produce clear, detailed texts on a wide range of topics, and can explain the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
C1
Can understand a wider range of longer texts and recognize implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluenty and spontaneously. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects showing controlled use of organisational connectors and coherent devices.
C2
Can understand with ease virtually everything heard and read. Can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself very fluently and precisely, even in most complex situations, differentiating finer shades of meaning.