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.

READING

Point out familiar names, words & simple sentences, such as on posters, notes or in catalogues.

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...

B1

I have achieved most of the goals of A2. 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.

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. Read very short, simple texts & find specific information in everyday material such as menus, advertisements, & short personal letters. Communicate in routine tasks & social interactions. Use a series of phrases & sentences to describe family, educational background & present work.

Understand texts with high frequency, everyday, or jobrelated language. Understand the description of events, feelings & wishes in 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.

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. Use language flexibly & effectively for social & professional purposes. Present clear, detailed descriptions of complex subjects, integrating subthemes.

SPEAKING

Ask & answer simple questions. Interact in a simple way with repetition & slow speech. Use simple phrases & sentences to describe familiar people.

WRITING

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

Write short notes, messages & personal letters relating to immediate needs.

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.

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.

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.