Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment is also known as CEFR, CEF or CEFRL (these are the abbreviations in English). It is an European guideline used to describe the different language levels of learners.

The common reference levels

The Common European Framework divides learners into six different levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. The levels describe the knowledge and the language skills from each learner in different parts which are listening, writing, reading and speaking.

Level A – Basic user

A1 – Beginner

  • the learner can use and understand familiar everyday expressions
  • the learner can introduce himself and others
  • the learner can ask and answer questions about personal details (e.g. about the age or the hometown)
  • the learner can interact in a simple way (if the other person speaks slowly and clearly)

A2 – Elementary

  • the learner can understand easy sentences and frequently used expressions (e.g. about basic personal and family information, shopping or the local geography)
  • the learner can communicate in simple and routine tasks

Level B – Independent user

B1 – Intermediate

  • the learner can deal with most of the situations (e.g. while travelling in an area where his language is spoken)
  • the learner can describe different things (e.g. experiences, dreams, events, hopes or ambitions) and give reasons for his opinion and plans
  • the learner can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters (e.g. about work or school)

B2 – Upper intermediate

  • the learner can understand the main ideas of a complex text (including technical discussions)
  • the learner is fluent and can interact with spontaneity
  • the learner can explain a viewpoint on a topical issue
  • the learner can produce clear and detailed texts

Level C – Proficient user

C1 – Advanced

  • the learner can express ideas fluently and spontaneously
  • the learner can interact without searching expressions
  • the learner can use the language in different purposes (e.g. in social, academic or professional purposes)
  • the learner can produce texts which are clear and well-structured with a lot of details (also on complex subjects)

C2 – Proficiency

  • the learner can understand everything (heard or read)
  • the learner can summarise information from different sources (spoken and written)
  • the learner can construct arguments on different viewpoints
  • the learner can speak very fluently, precisely and spontaneously

In addition one of the tasks of the Common European Framework is the possibility to compare the different language certificates. So a learner who passed the language exam DELF A2 has nearly the same language skills as a learner who passed the language exam CILS on the same level – only in different languages.

So if you want to write a language exam to get a special certificate according the Common European Framework, you will get more information in an special article about the language certificates. Here are some in different languages:

– English: TOEIC, TOEFL and IELTS
– French: DELF and DALF
– Italian: CILS
– Spanish: DELE

Also our language schools all over the world offer special courses to prepare yourself for an exam. Check our language schools and get more information here.

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