What is the CEFR?

Common European Framework of Reference

What is the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference)?

by Andrea Giordano

What is the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference)?

The CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is a scale used to measure language proficiency. The CEFR was created by the Council of Europe during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s to establish a standard way to assess all languages in Europe. The Council of Europe also wanted to make sure that there was a standard way of learning and teaching languages.

What are the levels of the CEFR?

The CEFR is a range of 6 levels, starting with the lowest level of A1, up to the highest level of C2.

A1 – Beginner (Breakthrough)
A2 – Elementary (Waystage)
B1 – Intermediate (Threshold)
B2 – Upper Intermediate (Vantage)
C1 – Advanced (Effective operational proficiency)
C2 – Proficiency (Mastery)

CEFR also defines three “plus” levels as A2+, B1+, and B2+.

What can language speakers talk about at each level of the CEFR?

A1 – everyday expressions, basic phrases, concrete needs, introductions, personal descriptions, simple interactions with other people

A2 – Basic personal and family information, shopping, getting around, routine tasks, immediate needs

B1 – Standard information about work and school environments, travel in countries where the language is spoken, topics of personal interest, personal dreams and hopes, reasons for plans or opinions

B2 – Main ideas of complex topics, technical topics within their professional field, complex interactions with native speakers, detailed conversation about a wide variety of topics, advantages and disadvantages of plans or situations

C1 – Complex topics that include longer clauses, implied meaning, abstract ideas, detailed language in a variety of environments, clear language that is organized well and is connected with cohesive devices

C2 – Practically any topic, summaries of information, clear presentations of information about any subject, fluent conversation and speech about complex situations, nuance

Where is the CEFR recognized?

Even though “Europe” is in the name, of the CEFR scale, its use now spreads to the entire world. Many countries view the CEFR scale as the most internationally-recognized language proficiency scale. It is most commonly talked about in Europe, but is used all around the world.

What is the CEFR used for?

There are many applications for the CEFR:

• to create/review language curricula


• to design teaching materials


• to establish teaching objectives


• to evaluate language qualifications in educational and professional settings

What level am I on the CEFR scale?

Some language programs and language tests are able to assess what level of English (or any other language) you have. Some of the most reputable English language tests are as follows:

TOEFL
IELTS
TOEIC
Cambridge Assessment

How can I improve my CEFR level?

There are many things you can do to improve your language proficiency in English. Here are a few of my top suggestions:

#1 Increase your input

Read and listen to English as much as possible. The more you consume English, the more your brain will start to acquire English. If you never read in English, it will be difficult to develop your vocabulary. If you never listen to native English speakers, you will never understand them.

#2 Increase your difficulty

Many language learners get stuck at their language level because they stop growing. I know one friend who has lived in the United States for 15 years, and is still at a B2 level or Reading and Listening, and a B1 level of Grammar and Pronunciation. She has a job where she speaks English all day, has English-speaking friends, and has English-speaking children. However, she keeps her English limited to the same topics. She has been at the same job for a decade, so once she learned what she needed to for her job, she stopped growing. For her, I would recommend that she finds new ways to use her English. Talk about more challenging topics in English, rather than basic conversational skills. Instead of reading news articles in her native language, read them in English.

3) Increase your instruction

One of the best ways to increase your CEFR level is to take an intensive English course. You can do this by attending in-person classes with a teacher, or you can take video courses online, like my Clear English Pronunciation course. Either way, intensive English courses are a quick way to improve your CEFR level.

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Happy learning, 

Andrea

Master Your Pronunciation

About Andrea

Andrea Giordano is the founder of StudyWithAndrea.com and has taught more than 1,000,000 students from 180 countries. Andrea holds a Master of Education (TESOL) from Shenandoah University, and is the former Executive Director of TESOL and ESL programs at Campbellsville University. Andrea is a proven leader in online English teaching and is driven by her passion to help you speak English clearly.

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