CEFR Levels

The CEFR, Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, is one of many frameworks that describe your language proficiency. There are several frameworks with similar aims including the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Proficiency Guidelines (ACTFL), the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB), and the Interagency Language Roundtable scale (ILR).

While the CEFR is a European scale and specifically designed to apply to any European language, it is now becoming a worldwide standard framework for language abilities, especially European languages, including English. The CEFR is not tied to any specific language test - and most standardized language tests now provide CEFR level equivalents.

CEFR is a language proficiency standard that was originally a reference for languages in Europe but is now being adopted in other regions outside Europe such as Japan (Japan Foundation, 2010). One of the international standards that can be used to measure language proficiency for foreign language learners is CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).

CEFR has six levels of foreign language mastery, namely A1 (beginner), A2 (elementary), B1 (Intermediate), B2 (Upper Intermediate), C1 (Advanced), and C2 (Proficient). The language learners who are at level A means including novice learners. A1 means basic beginner learner and A2 means advanced beginner learner. Learners who are at level B are intermediate learners. B1 means basic intermediate and B2 means high level intermediate. Learners who are at level C are considered advanced learners. C1 means basic advanced learners and C2 means advanced advanced learners. 

In Europe, the CEFR is increasingly the standard way of describing your proficiency level in a foreign language, particularly in an academic setting. If you have studied more than one language, as most Europeans have, the CEFR is a conveniently standardized way to present two or more languages on your CV. In school or university, the CEFR is the standard framework across Europe and can be used without reservation.

However, in a corporate setting, the CEFR is not as widely understood. If you decide to use the CEFR on your CV for professional reasons, it is still best practice to include a level descriptor, a standardized test score, and examples of instances in which you used your language skills (study abroad, work abroad, etc.).

The best way to find out your CEFR level is to take a well-designed standardized test. In English, the EF SET is the best choice because it is free and the first standardized test to be fully aligned to the CEFR. You will need to set aside 50 minutes to complete the test and find out your CEFR level or you can try quickly check test / the 15 minutes test to check your CEFR level. You can check your CEFR below!