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A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2: What are these language levels?

Verified 31 May 2022 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

The European Framework of Reference for Languages (ECRL) is a ranking system used to assess proficiency in a foreign language.

A1 corresponds to an elementary user level (introductory or discovery level).

This means that you have the following capabilities:

  • Understand and use familiar and everyday expressions and very simple statements that are intended to meet concrete needs
  • Knowing how to introduce yourself or someone
  • Being able to ask and answer questions about a person
  • Communicate simply if the caller speaks slowly and clearly and is cooperative

A2 corresponds to an elementary user level (intermediate or usual level).

This means that you have the following capabilities:

  • Understand single phrases and frequently used expressions in relation to areas of the everyday environment (e.g. simple personal and family information, shopping, work)
  • Ability to communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring only a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine subjects
  • Describe with simple means his training, his immediate environment and talk about subjects that correspond to immediate needs

B1 corresponds to an independent user level (threshold level).

This means that you have the following capabilities:

  • Understand the essential points of a discussion when clear and standard language is used and if it is familiar things at work, school, leisure, etc.
  • Be autonomous in most situations encountered while traveling in an area where the target language is spoken
  • To be able to produce a simple and coherent discourse on familiar subjects and in its fields of interest
  • The ability to tell a story, an experience or a dream, describe a hope or a goal, and briefly explain the reasons or reasons for a project or idea

B2 is an independent user level (advanced or independent)

This means that you have the following capabilities:

  • Understand the essential content of concrete or abstract subjects in a complex text, including technical discussion in its specialty
  • Communicating spontaneously and easily with a native speaker
  • Express a clear and detailed opinion on a wide range of topics, express an opinion on a topical issue and set out the advantages and disadvantages of different possibilities

C1 is an advanced user level (stand-alone level).

This means that you have the following capabilities:

  • Understand long and demanding texts and grasp implicit meanings
  • Speak spontaneously and fluently without having to search for words
  • Use language effectively and flexibly in social, professional or academic life
  • Express themselves on complex subjects in a clear and well-structured way and demonstrate their control of the linguistic tools of organization, articulation and cohesion of the discourse

C2 is an advanced user level (proficiency level).

This means that you have the following capabilities:

  • Effortlessly understand virtually everything that is read or heard
  • Be able to convey facts and arguments from various written and oral sources in a coherent manner
  • Express yourself spontaneously, very commonly, accurately, and make distinct nuances of meaning in relation to complex subjects

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