CEFR Language Levels: What A1, B2, and C1 Really Mean

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Time and time again, in conversations with learners or in the descriptions of language courses, there’s talk of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and its six proficiency levels. In today’s article, we explain the functions of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, how the proficiency levels are divided, and what this means for learning processes. Naturally, with practical relevance!

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The Functions of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)

Imagine you’re applying for a new job that requires English and French skills. You go to your interview after your cover letter and resume have already made a good impression on the company, and you’re asked: “How good are your English and French skills?” What do you say?

“I speak fluent English and French” is one possibility, a second is “My English and French are fluent in speaking and writing,” a third is “My English and French are business fluent.”

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Want to know which language course supports which proficiency level? Click here for our overview of all language courses including CEFR classification.

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But how is an employer supposed to judge how well you master both languages? Do your answers mean you can fluently order your lunch in the canteen? Or is it rather that you can confidently answer customer inquiries, negotiate contracts, and draft written documents related to your future work area?

This is exactly where the CEFR comes in. It offers you and your employer an objective classification of your skills in the individual languages – and not only that: Even individual skills like reading, writing, listening, and speaking are assessed.

The Advantages of a Common Guideline

This allows you to participate in international language exams, enroll in courses or language programs appropriate to your language level, and also, if necessary, define your skills with an international standard. The Common European Framework of Reference, as the name suggests, is valid throughout Europe, and anyone familiar with it can classify and accordingly evaluate your answers “I speak English at level B2 of the CEFR” or “I write French texts at level C1.”

It is becoming more and more accepted internationally as well, with many countries, businesses and universities outside of Europe accepting CEFR to validate your language level.

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This makes language skills objectively measurable, internationally comparable, and offers the possibility to compare competitors from different countries. Speaking German at level B2 means exactly the same thing for a Spaniard as for a Swede or a Turk.

Not only that: This objective assessment also allows you to take language exams both domestically and abroad. Due to this international comparability, it is also irrelevant where you take the exam. So you can also book a language stay in Italy and take the exam at the University of Perugia, Siena, or Rome, because the degree counts no more and no less than at any other university.

The Proficiency Levels of the Common European Framework of Reference

Basically, the CEFR consists of three levels with two tiers each, making it six in total. These are:

A: Basic User

Basic language use means that at the lower level of this stage (A1), you can understand and use simple sentences, everyday expressions, and basic information about people. At the upper level of this stage (A2), you can already communicate in familiar situations, pass on simple and familiar information, and describe yourself in a little more detail than at the A1 level.

In practical situations, this means you can provide basic information about yourself and also ask for corresponding information from other people. You will be able to order drinks and food in a café, handle a hotel booking, or understand directions. You can buy groceries or other products in shops – in short: you can manage the most important everyday situations.

B: Independent User

Independent language use means that at the lower level of this stage (B1), you can already manage most situations encountered while traveling. This also includes familiar topics and personal interests, and here, experiences from the past and future prospects are also added. At the upper level of this stage (B2), your skills become more advanced. You can understand the content of more complex texts, even when the content becomes more abstract. If you have a specialty area in which you are well-versed, you will also be able to participate in discussions in the foreign language. You will also be able to discuss pros and cons or give longer justifications here.

What does this look like in practice? You will not only be able to buy groceries in a shop, but you can also get advice on wine selection. If you prefer advice on buying sports equipment – that’s no longer a problem for you at this stage! Longer directions are now also possible, as are discussions about whether you prefer to take the car or the subway to get to the city center.

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It’s no different in a professional context: Suppose you are a computer specialist. At the stage of independent language use, you can increasingly incorporate your professional orientation into your conversations or written texts. You will be able to read technical literature – so go ahead and buy a computer magazine in a newsagent! In any case, a conversation with native speakers of your foreign language is possible at this level – and you will see that you can enjoy this conversation very much.

C: Proficient User

Now comes the master class of language proficiency. At the lower level of this stage (C1), you will be able to understand demanding, long texts and speak spontaneously and fluently. You will find that you hardly ever have to search for words and that you are very flexible in your language use. At the upper level of this stage (C2), you are already very close to the language level of a native speaker. You can understand almost everything you hear or read effortlessly and express yourself very precisely and with linguistic nuance.

In practice, this means that you can navigate in the foreign language almost as you do in your native language. You read “normal” books and don’t even notice that they are written in another language. You react spontaneously to questions or statements from your foreign-language friends or business partners and can express exactly what you would say in your native language. At this stage, there are virtually no linguistic limitations left.

The Subdivision of the Individual CEFR Levels

These three levels mentioned above are further subdivided. I spoke of the lower and upper proficiency within each stage. These levels are therefore divided into A1 and A2, B1 and B2, C1 and C2.

Transferred to the individual skills, this means that this classification exists for each skill. So we have the three sub-areas “Understanding,” “Speaking,” and “Writing.” The “Understanding” area is divided into “Listening” and “Reading,” the “Speaking” area into “Participating in conversations” and “Speaking coherently.” The “Writing” area is not further subdivided.

You can find out exactly what levels A1 to C2 mean in these sub-areas from the attached breakdown. (Source: © Council of Europe / Conseil de l’Europe)

“I’m at B2 level in English” – why this statement isn’t always true

For classifying your language skills, the CEFR offers two options: general classification and specific classification.

General classification is, so to speak, an average value to place you in a suitable language course, register you for an appropriate exam, or generally place you at a linguistic level. This is important when a detailed classification is not possible or simply not needed. Language tests are only available at the 6 different levels. HR managers do not want to have to read a three-page treatise on your language skills.

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Specific classification is useful when you are assessing yourself or when it comes to finding offers in specific areas for yourself. For this specific classification, one does not look at language skills in general, but each skill individually. Thus, it may well be that you are, for example, at C1 level in English when reading technical literature, but at A2 or B1 level in speaking. Now it would be a wrong decision to sign up for a conversation course at C1 level, because the level would be far too high for you. Conversely, a reading circle at A2 level would probably be set too elementarily for you.

In summary, it can be said that an individual assessment of skills makes sense when it also concerns the separate individual skills. If comprehensive knowledge at a certain level is required for courses, jobs, or language tests, then such a detailed breakdown does not make sense. Then it is better to orient oneself by an average value or by the skill that constitutes the main part of the task to be mastered.

Conclusion: Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is a very sensible classification for the objective assessment of language skills. This makes language skills objectively assessable, comparable, and recognized internationally according to the same standards.

However, if a more specific assessment is necessary or desired, then the normal 6-level classification is no longer sufficient. Then, the self-assessment grid should be used. This was published by the Council of Europe and considers each skill individually at all 6 levels. This allows for a very detailed evaluation and assessment.