English Language Levels Defined (CEFR Standard)

A. English Basic User (A1,A2)

• Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases.
• Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details.
• Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly.

• Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions such as very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment.
• Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar matters.
• Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment, and matters in areas of immediate need.

B. English Independent User (B1,B2)

• Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
• Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst traveling in an area where the language is spoken.
• Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

• Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialization.
• Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party.
• Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

C. Proficient English User (C1,C2)

• Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning.
• Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions.
• Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes.
• Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing a controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors, and cohesive devices.

• Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read.
• Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation.
• Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.