The Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR) is a guideline used to describe achievements of learners of foreign languages. It was designed by the Council of Europe to provide a coherent basis for the elaboration of language courses and the assessment of foreign language proficiency. It is commonly used across Europe and it is increasingly used in other countries.
What are the benefits of using the CEFR?
Some of the benefits of the CEFR are:
It describes language proficiency levels in a simple way that is understood globally.
It provides a clear structure for language teaching and learning that covers all the skills (reading, listening, speaking and writing).
It provides a clear framework for assessing language proficiency that is consistent and reliable.
It provides a way of comparing different language qualifications.
How can I find out my CEFR level?
There are different ways to find out your CEFR level.
One way is to look at the description of each level and find the one that matches your abilities in the language you want to learn.
Another way is to take a well-designed standardized test that is aligned to the CEFR. For example, in English, you can take the English Placement Test 1 at up2dateSKILLS.com, which is free and fully aligned to the CEFR.
Alternatively, you can download one of up2dateskills’ educational resources specifically designed to assess English proficiency levels. They all include the answer key so that you can check your score. Please check the options below.
How long does it take to complete a CEFR level?
A2 | 180–200 hours
A1 | 50–100 hours
The time it takes to complete a CEFR level depends on various factors, such as your motivation, your knowledge of other languages, your learning objectives, and your exposure to the language.
However, if you are a motivated learner and follow a course that includes guided learning, homework and other language learning activities, the following estimates for the full duration of the guided lessons can be given. The amount of hours doesn’t include homework, self-study and additional learning activities.
B1 | 350–400 hours
B2 | 500–600 hours
C1 | 700–800 hours
C2 | 1,000–1,200 hours
What is the difference between the 6 CEFR levels?
There are six levels, A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2, which can be regrouped into three broad levels: Basic User (A), Independent User (B) and Proficient User (C).
The “A” Levels | Basic User
A1
Beginner
Breakthrough
Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
SKILLS
Listening
Reading
Spoken Interaction
Spoken Production
Writing
SKILLS
Click each skill to see more info.
Listening
Can understand simple, standard speech which is very slow and carefully articulated. Can recognise familiar words and very basic phrases concerning him/herself, his/her family and immediate concrete surroundings when people speak slowly and clearly.
Reading
Can understand very short, simple texts, for example on notices and posters or in catalogues, picking up familiar names and basic phrases one at a time and rereading as required.
Spoken Interaction
Can interact in a simple way provided the other person is prepared to repeat or rephrase things at a slower rate of speech and help with formulation. Can ask and answer simple questions in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics.
Useful Resources
Spoken Production
Can use simple phrases and sentences to describe what he/she does, where he/she lives and people he/she knows.
Writing
Can write a short, simple message or postcard, for example sending holiday greetings, expressing preferences, likes and dislikes. Can fill in forms with personal details, for example entering name, nationality and address on a hotel registration form.
SYLLABUS
Functions
Grammar
Discourse Markers
Vocabulary
Topics
SYLLABUS
Click each feature to see more info.
Functions
Directions Describing habits and routines Giving personal information (all about me, all about you, introductions, etc.) Greetings (word search)
Talking about free time activities (preferences, likes and dislikes, etc.) Talking about abilities Telling the time Understanding and using numbers (0 to 10, etc.) Understanding and using prices
Grammar
Adjectives: common and demonstrative Adverbs of frequency Comparatives and superlatives Going to How much/how many and common uncountable nouns I’d like Imperatives Basic intensifiers Modals (can/can’t; could/couldn’t; etc.) Past simple of “to be” Past Simple Possessive adjectives Possessive s Common prepositions Prepositions of place Prepositions of time, including in/on/at Present continuous Present simple Present simple of “to be” Pronouns: simple, personal Questions There is/are Verb + -ing: like/hate/love
Discourse Markers
Connecting words:
✔️ and
✔️ but
✔️ because
Vocabulary
✔️ Greetings and farewells (Word search)
✔️ Basic verbs (Verb “to be”)
✔️ Describing people (Appearance, Personality and character, etc.)
✔️ Food and drink (Fruit, etc.)
✔️ Nationalities and countries (English speaking countries and nationalities, etc.)
✔️ Numbers (0 to 10, 1 to 20, 21 to 40, etc.)
✔️ Personal information (All about me, etc.)
✔️ Places in the town
✔️ Shops and shopping
Topics
✔️ Family life
✔️ Hobbies and pastimes
✔️ Abilities
✔️ Holidays
✔️ Life in the city (describing a city, etc.)
✔️ Shopping
✔️ Work and jobs
A2
Elementary
Waystage
Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
A2 SKILLS
Listening
Reading
Spoken Interaction
Spoken Production
Writing
A2 SKILLS
Click each skill to see more info.
Listening
Can understand clear, slow, standard speech related to areas of most immediate personal relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can catch the main point in short, clear, simple messages and announcements.
Reading
Can understand short, simple texts containing high frequency vocabulary and shared international expressions. Can find specific, predictable information in simple everyday material such as advertisements, prospectuses and timetables.
Spoken Interaction
Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar topics and activities. Can handle very short social exchanges, even though he/she cannot usually keep the conversation going of his/her own accord.
Useful Resources
Spoken Production
Can use a series of phrases and sentences to describe in simple terms family and other people, living conditions, educational background and present or most recent job.
Writing
Can write short, simple notes and messages relating to matters in areas of immediate need, linking a series of simple phrases and sentences with simple connectors like “and” , “but” and “because”. Can write a very simple personal letter, for example thanking someone for something, describing family and friends, or expressing preferences, likes and dislikes.
SYLLABUS
Functions
Grammar
Discourse Markers
Vocabulary
Topics
SYLLABUS
Click each feature to see more info.
Functions
✔️ Describing habits and routines (daily routine, free time preferences, etc.)
✔️ Describing past experiences
✔️ Describing people (appearance; personality and character; vocabulary expansion and sentence-building activities, comparing people; writing practice; etc.)
✔️ Describing places (a city; etc.)
✔️ Describing things
✔️Greetings (word search)
✔️ Obligation and necessity
✔️ Requests (with can; etc.)
✔️ Suggestions
Grammar
✔️ Adjectives – comparative – use of than
✔️ Adjectives – superlative – use of definite article
✔️ Adverbial phrases of time, place and frequency – including word order
✔️ Adverbs of frequency
✔️ Articles – with countable and uncountable nouns
✔️ Countables and uncountables: much/many
✔️ Future Time (will and going to)
✔️ Gerunds
✔️ Going to
✔️ Imperatives
✔️ Modals (can/could; have to; should; etc.)
✔️ Past continuous
✔️ Past simple
✔️ Common phrasal verbs
✔️ Possessives – use of ‘s, s’
✔️ Prepositional phrases (place, time and movement)
✔️ Prepositions of time: on/in/at
✔️ Present continuous (ongoing activities)
✔️ Present continuous for future
✔️ Present perfect
✔️ Questions
✔️ Verb + ing/infinitive: like/want-would like
✔️ Wh-questions in past
✔️ Zero and 1st conditional
Discourse Markers
✔️ Linkers: sequential – past time
Vocabulary
Greetings and farewells (word search) Adjectives: personality, appearance, feelings Food and drink Things in the town, shops and shopping Travel and services
Topics
✔️ Education
✔️ Hobbies and pastimes
✔️ Holidays
✔️ Leisure activities
✔️ Life in the city (describing a city, etc.)
✔️ Shopping
✔️ Work and jobs
The “B” Levels | Independent User
B1
Intermediate
Threshold
Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
B1 SKILLS
Listening
Reading
Spoken Interaction
Spoken Production
Writing
B1 SKILLS
Click each skill to see more info.
Listening
Can understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can understand the main point of many radio or TV programmes on current affairs or topics of personal or professional interest when the delivery is relatively slow and clear.
Reading
Can understand factual texts on subjects related to his/her interests that consist mainly of high frequency everyday or job-related language. Can recognise significant points in straightforward newspaper articles on familiar subjects. Can understand the description of events, feelings and wishes.
Spoken Interaction
Can exploit a wide range of simple language to deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling. Can enter unprepared into conversation on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life (e.g. family, hobbies, work, travel and current events).
Spoken Production
Can keep going comprehensibly in order to describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions. Can briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. Can narrate a story or relate the plot of a book or film and describe reactions.
Writing
Can write simple texts on topics which are familiar or of personal interest by linking a series of shorter discrete elements into a linear sequence. Can write personal letters describing events, describing people, describing experiences and impressions.
SYLLABUS
Functions
Grammar
Discourse Markers
Vocabulary
Topics
SYLLABUS
Click each feature to see more info.
Functions
✔️ Checking understanding
✔️ Describing experiences and events
✔️ Describing feelings and emotion
✔️ Describing places
✔️ Expressing opinions; language of agreeing and disagreeing
✔️ Initiating and closing conversation
✔️ Managing interaction (interrupting, changing topic, resuming or continuing)
Grammar
✔️ Adverbs
✔️ Prepositions
✔️ Broader range of intensifiers such as too, enough
✔️ Comparatives and superlatives
✔️ Complex question tags
✔️ Conditionals, 2nd and 3rd
✔️ Connecting words expressing cause and effect, contrast etc.
✔️ Future continuous
✔️ Modals – must/can’t (deduction)
✔️ Modals – might, may, will (probability)
✔️ Modals – should have/might have/etc.
✔️ Modals: must/have to
✔️ Past continuous
✔️ Past perfect
✔️ Past simple
✔️ Past tense responses
✔️ Phrasal verbs, extended
✔️ Present perfect continuous
✔️ Present perfect/past simple
✔️ Reported speech (range of tenses)
✔️ Simple passive
✔️ Wh- questions in the past
✔️ Will and going to, for prediction
Discourse Markers
✔️ Connecting words expressing cause and effect, contrast, etc.
✔️ Linkers: sequential past time
Vocabulary
✔️ Collocation
✔️ Colloquial language
✔️ Things in the town, shops and shopping
✔️ Travel and services
Topics
✔️ Books and literature
✔️ Education
✔️ Film
✔️ Leisure activities
✔️ Media
✔️ News, lifestyles and current affairs
B2
Upper Intermediate
Vantage
Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
B2 SKILLS
Listening
Reading
Spoken Interaction
Spoken Production
Writing
B2 SKILLS
Click each skill to see more info.
Listening
Can understand standard speech spoken at a normal rate and follow even complex lines of argument provided the topic is reasonably familiar. Can understand the essentials of lectures and most TV news and current affairs programmes. Can understand the majority of films in standard dialect.
Reading
Can understand articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems in which the writers adopt particular stances or viewpoints. Can understand contemporary literary prose. Can adapt style and speed of reading to different texts and purposes, using appropriate reference sources selectively.
Spoken Interaction
Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible. Can take an active part in discussion in familiar contexts. Can account for and sustain views clearly by providing relevant explanations and arguments.
Spoken Production
Can present clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to his field of interest, expanding and supporting ideas with subsidiary points and relevant examples. Can explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
Writing
Can write clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects related to his/her interests. Can write an essay or report, passing on information or giving reasons in support of or against a particular point of view. Can write letters highlighting the personal significance of events and experiences.
SYLLABUS
Functions
Grammar
Discourse Markers
Vocabulary
Topics
SYLLABUS
Click each feature to see more info.
Functions
✔️ Critiquing and reviewing
✔️ Describing experiences
✔️ Describing feelings and emotions
✔️ Describing hopes and plans
✔️ Developing an argument
✔️ Encouraging and inviting another speaker to continue, come in
✔️ Expressing abstract ideas
✔️ Expressing agreement and disagreement
✔️ Expressing opinions
✔️ Expressing reaction, e.g. indifference
✔️ Interacting informally, reacting, expressing interest, sympathy, surprise etc.
✔️ Opinion, justification
✔️ Speculating
✔️ Taking the initiative in interaction
✔️ Synthesizing, evaluating, glossing info
Grammar
✔️ Adjectives and adverbs
✔️ Future continuous
✔️ Future perfect
✔️ Future perfect continuous
✔️ Mixed conditionals
✔️ Modals – can’t have, needn’t have
✔️ Modals of deduction and speculation
✔️ Narrative tenses
✔️ Passives
✔️ Past perfect
✔️ Past perfect continuous
✔️ Phrasal verbs, extended
✔️ Relative clauses
✔️ Reported speech
✔️ Will and going to, for prediction
✔️ Wish
✔️ Would – expressing habits, in the past
Discourse Markers
✔️ Connecting words expressing cause and effect, contrast, etc.
✔️ Discourse markers to structure fromal speech
✔️ Linkers: although, in spite of, despite
✔️ Linkers: sequential – past time
Vocabulary
✔️ Collocation
✔️ Colloquial language
Topics
✔️ Arts
✔️ Books and literature
✔️ Education
✔️ Film
✔️ Media
✔️ News, lifestyles and current affairs
The “C” Levels | Proficient User
C1
Advanced
Effective Operational Proficiency
Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, wellstructured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.
C1 SKILLS
Listening
Reading
Spoken Interaction
Spoken Production
Writing
C1 SKILLS
Click each skill to see more info.
Listening
Can understand lectures and discussions on complex topics beyond his/her field, though he/she may need to confirm occasional details, especially if the accent is unfamiliar. Can understand even when the talk is not clearly structured and when relationships are only implied and not signaled explicitly.
Reading
Can understand long and complex factual and literary texts, appreciating distinctions of style. Can understand specialised articles and longer technical instructions, even when they do not relate to his/her field.
Spoken Interaction
Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social and professional purposes. Can formulate ideas and opinions appropriately and relate contributions skillfully to those of other speakers.
Spoken Production
Can present clear, detailed descriptions of complex subjects integrating sub-themes, developing particular points and rounding off with an appropriate conclusion.
Writing
Can write clear, well-structured text and express points of view at some length. Can write detailed expositions of complex subjects in a letter, an essay or a report, underlining the salient issues. Can write different kinds of texts in a style appropriate to the reader in mind.
SYLLABUS
Functions
Grammar
Discourse Markers
Vocabulary
Topics
SYLLABUS
Click each feature to see more info.
Functions
✔️ Conceding a point
✔️ Critiquing and reviewing constructively
✔️ Defending a point of view persuasively
✔️ Developing an argument systematically
✔️ Emphasizing a point, feeling, issue
✔️ Expressing attitudes and feelings precisely
✔️ Expressing certainty, probability, doubt
✔️ Expressing opinions tentatively, hedging
✔️ Expressing reaction, e.g. indifference
✔️ Expressing shades of opinion and certainty
✔️ Responding to counterarguments
✔️ Speculating and hypothesising about causes, consequences, etc.
✔️ Synthesising, evaluating and glossing information
Grammar
✔️ Futures (revision)
✔️ Inversion with negative adverbials
✔️ Mixed conditionals in past, present and future
✔️ Modals in the past
✔️ Narrative tenses for experience, incl. passive
✔️ All passive forms
✔️ Phrasal verbs, especially splitting
✔️ Wish/if only regrets
Discourse Markers
✔️ Linking devices, logical markers
✔️ Markers to structure and signpost formal and informal speech and writing
Vocabulary
✔️ Approximating (vague language)
✔️ Collocation
✔️ Colloquial language
✔️ Differentiated use of vocabulary
✔️ Eliminating false friends
✔️ Formal and informal registers
✔️ Idiomatic expressions
Topics
✔️ Arts
✔️ Books and literature
✔️ Film
✔️ Media
✔️ News, lifestyles and current affairs
✔️ Scientific developments
✔️ Technical and legal language
C2
Proficiency
Mastery
Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.
C2 SKILLS
Listening
Reading
Spoken Interaction
Spoken Production
Writing
C2 SKILLS
Click each skill to see more info.
Listening
Can understand virtually any kind of spoken language, even when delivered at fast native speed and employing a high degree of colloquialism, regional usage or unfamiliar terminology.
Reading
Can understand with ease virtually all forms of the written language, including abstract, complex texts such as specialised articles and literary works. Can appreciate subtle distinctions of style and implicit as well as explicit meaning.
Spoken Interaction
Can take part effortlessly in any discussion. Can express him/herself fluently and convey finer shades of meaning precisely. Can backtrack and restructure around any difficulty of formulation so smoothly that other people are hardly aware of it.
Spoken Production
Can present a clear, smoothlyflowing description or argument in a style appropriate to the context and with an effective logical structure which helps the recipient to notice significant points.
Writing
Can write clear, smoothly-flowing, well-structured text in an appropriate style. Can write complex reports or articles which present a case with an effective logical structure which helps the recipient to notice significant points. Can write reviews of professional or literary works.
Your turn
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