Have you ever felt confused about your English-speaking capacity? You may have never hesitated to determine whether your skills are still relatively Beginner, intermediate, or even proficient. By knowing the CEFR, you can solve this problem. In CEFR, six levels can be used as a reference to assess your English ability. Curious about what CEFR is and what are the levels? Come on, find out more by reading the article below!
Get to know CEFR
Common European Framework of Reference
CEFR stands for Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, an international standard used to assess a person's language proficiency or ability widely practised in Europe. CEFR applies to several languages, one of which is English. A person's English skills, both passively and actively, can be measured by this standard.
Apart from the CEFR, there are also several international standards to describe the extent of proficiency in English, such as TOEFL, IELTS, and TOEIC.
6 CEFR Grades
There are six levels in CEFR, namely: A1 Beginner, A2 Elementary, B1 Intermediate, B2 Upper Intermediate, C1 Advanced, and C2 Proficient.
1. A1 Beginner
The first level of CEFR is A1 or beginner. Someone who is at this level has fundamental English skills. Understanding and using English is only about common vocabulary and simple sentences.
2. A2 Elementary
At the second level of CEFR, called A2 or elementary, a person's English skills are reflected in limited English interactions. So, people with A2 or elementary level can communicate in English, but the discussion only covers certain things that have been mastered. For example, someone who can understand a short story heard and someone who can tell about their favourite song.
3. B1 Intermediates
Stepping to the next level, the third level, is known as the B1 intermediate. At this level, a person can speak English passively and actively with more varied topics than at the previous level, both in informal and formal (but limited) situations. Examples include conversing about goals and lifestyles and attending job interviews in English.
4. B2 Upper-Intermediate
At the fourth level of CEFR, you can call it B2 or upper intermediate. Someone at this level is shown by mastering English occasionally with few obstacles. It will usually appear that the person can understand and practise relatively complex English. One example is being able to create texts on social topics with detailed explanations.
5. C1 Advanced
The fifth level in the CEFR is C1 advanced. If someone occupies this level, he can use English for academic and professional purposes. It is easy to understand and apply English on almost all occasions. He can express his ideas in oral and written form related to various topics spontaneously, fluently, and confidently.
6. C2 Professional
C2, or professional/expert, is the sixth and final level of the CEFR. Someone at this level has a position equivalent to a native speaker. That means the person concerned can use English in any situation and condition.
So, which level are you? After knowing your level of English ability, you can adjust what you need to learn to continue to grow.
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