Common reference levels

level group

level group name

level

level name

description

A

Basic User

A1

Breakthrough or beginner

·         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.

A2

Way stage or elementary

·         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.

B

Independent User

B1

Threshold or intermediate

·         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 while traveling in an area where the language is spoken.

·         Can produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest.

·         Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

B2

Vantage or upper intermediate

·         Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialization.

·         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.

C

Proficient User

C1

Effective Operational Proficiency or advanced

·         Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning.

·         Can express ideas fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions.

·         Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes.

·         Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

C2

Mastery or proficiency

·         Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read.

·         Can summarize 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 the most complex situations.