Level Descriptions for ESL & World Languages

COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK OF REFERENCE (CEFR) LANGUAGE LEVELS

CCAE LEVEL CEFR LEVEL LISTENING

Beginner Level 1

Beginner Level 2

A1

I have no or little previous knowledge of the language. I would like to... Identify familiar words & very basic phrases concerning myself, friends, family, & surroundings when people speak slowly & clearly. Point out familiar names, words & simple sentences, such as on posters, notes or in catalogues. Ask & answer simple questions. Interact in a simple way with repetition & slow speech. Use simple phrases & sentences to describe familiar people.

READING

Beginner Level 3

Beginner Level 4

Beginner Conversation

Low Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate Conversation

A2

I have achieved most of the goals of A1. I would like to... Understand phrases & the highest frequency vocabulary related to areas of most immediate personal relevance. Catch the main point in short, clear, simple messages & announcements.

B1

I have achieved most of the goals of A2. I would like to... Understand the main points of clear speech, & the main point in radio or TV programs on current events, or topics of personal or professional interest. Understand texts with high frequency, everyday, or jobrelated language. Understand the description of events, feelings & wishes in personal letters. Handle travel situations, enter unprepared into conversation on familiar topics, & connect phrases, give reasons & opinions, & describe plots of books or films. Write simple texts on familiar or personal topics, such as letters describing personal experiences and impressions.

Read very short, simple texts & find specific information in everyday material such as menus, advertisements, & short personal letters.

High Intermediate

Advanced

B2

I have achieved most of the goals of B1. I would like to... Understand extended speech & lectures & follow even complex lines of argument. Understand most TV news & current affairs programs. Read articles & reports about contemporary problems in which the writers adopt particular attitudes or viewpoints. Understand contemporary literary prose. Interact with fluency & spontaneity & explain a viewpoint & advantages & disadvantages of various options. Take an active part in discussions. Write on a wide range of subjects, essay of support or against a topic, as well as personal letters highlighting the personal significance of events.

Advanced C1

I have achieved most of the goals of B2. I would like to... Understand extended speech even when it is not clearly structured & when relationships are only implied & not signaled explicitly. Follow television programs & films without too much effort. Understand long & complex factual & literary texts, appreciating distinctions of style. Understand specialized articles & longer technical instructions.

SPEAKING

Communicate in routine tasks & social interactions. Use a series of phrases & sentences to describe family, educational background & present work. Write short notes, messages & personal letters relating to immediate needs.

WRITING

Write a short, simple postcard & fill in forms with personal details.

Use language flexibly & effectively for social & professional purposes. Present clear, detailed descriptions of complex subjects, integrating subthemes. Write about complex subjects in a letter, an essay or a report, underlining what I consider to be the salient issues. Select style appropriate to the reader in mind.