Guide to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

Ever wondered what the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is? It’s an international standard that defines how languages are classified and measured. As you may have guessed, it’s used to measure proficiency in a language.

The CEFR has six levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2. They are each defined by increasingly complex vocabulary and sentence structures in English as well as other languages. For instance, Level A1 involves recognizing familiar words like “dog” or “cat,” while Level C2 requires understanding idiomatic expressions such as “She had a fit.” Therefore, even if you’re an American, you might still have a low CEFR score because you might not be necessarily fluent in your native tongue!

Getting a high CEFR score is no simple task, especially when you’re not in the right hands. However, with the right English tutoring group, a high CEFR score will be as simple as it comes.

In this post, we explore the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), what it is and why some places may require this.

What is the CEFR?

The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) is a common set of standards that’s used to measure and compare the different levels of language proficiency in speaking, reading, listening, and writing. The CEFR is most often used by language professionals like teachers or translators as a way to measure and discuss proficiency levels, but it has also been adopted at some institutions of higher education around the world.

The CEFR was originally developed with an emphasis on European languages such as English and German; however, it has been adapted for other languages including Japanese and Indonesian.

History of the CEFR

The CEFR was developed in the late 1980s by a group of language experts from all around Europe. They were commissioned to develop a uniform set of guidelines that would enable better comparisons between different European languages, as well as provide guidance for learners and teachers on what they would need to know or do at each level in order to move up.

The aim was to make it easier for learners of a language in one country to know what they needed to do if they wanted to learn another European language. The standard was launched in 2001.

A Simple Guide to the Levels of the CEFR

The CEFR categorizes foreign language mastery into six levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2. Here is a list of what is achievable at each level.

A for beginners:

You can understand and use familiar everyday expressions, questions, and requests.
You occasionally deal with work-related topics in a basic way.
You can introduce yourself, talk about family members or friends living elsewhere; you know where they live but not other details such as their job or school.
You easily understand sentences written on an elementary level containing less than 300 words.

B for intermediate level learners:

You can understand speech and follow even long sentences with ease.
You can express yourself spontaneously, very fluently, using current language idioms correctly and appropriately to the situation in conversation or writing.
You are well informed about what’s going on around you but may not be able to discuss your opinions on every topic.

C for advanced level learners:

You can understand the main points of spoken and written texts even if the vocabulary is somewhat unfamiliar;
You can express yourself fluently, very articulately, and precisely in nearly all situations either orally or in writing.
You can also summarise information from a text accurately, including key facts and details.

Uses of the CEFR

The CEFR framework’s primary function is to give benchmarks or targets for analyzing how successfully learners have met their objectives.

Employers and academics, however, frequently use it. Many language schools around the world use CEFR to structure their curriculum and assessment systems. A CEFR certificate is also quite useful for your CV or résumé, and they frequently do not expire.

How can I find out my CEFR level?

Taking a well-designed standardized test is the best approach to determine your CEFR level. The CEFR equivalence is now provided by the majority of mainstream English assessment examinations.

Check with the official instructional body for the language in Europe, such as the Alliance Française for French, the Instituto Cervantes for Spanish, or the Goethe Institute for German, for further language assessments. Non-European language tests, such as the HSK Chinese Proficiency Test, also provide CEFR equivalencies.