Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) Scale: Everything You Need to Know

Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) Scale

Proficiency scales and proficiency-based testing are designed to measure language users’ ability to perform communicative tasks as compared to established guidelines. Besides offering ratings based on the ACTFL and the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) scales, Language Testing International (LTI) can provide ratings based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This guide explains the CEFR scale's characteristics and proficiency levels, including how it compares with the ACTFL scale.

What Is the CEFR Scale?

The CEFR scale is a widely recognized language framework that provides a shared foundation for second language education methods in Europe and beyond. Here are some features and objectives of the CEFR scale. It…

  • describes language learning outcomes with an action-oriented approach.
  • offers three primary characteristics for language learning: communication, the contexts where a language occurs, and the abilities speakers use to engage the language.
  • features four types of language activities — reception, production, interaction, and mediation — that involve reading, listening, writing, speaking, and interpretation.
  • assists curriculum developers and reviewers to create testing and learning material with positive "can do" descriptors that accommodate learners' needs, ages, and interests.
  • includes a categorical approach to four language use domains — professional, public, personal, and educational — that specify texts, locations, operations, institutions, events, people, and objects.
  • helps educators create and update their teaching materials and textbooks.
  • promotes teacher education and collaboration among educators who speak different languages.
  • improves success and quality in teaching, learning, and assessment of language proficiency.
  • supports testing transparency and comparing language proficiency certifications.

The Common European Framework comprehensively describes how language learners use a specific language for communication and which skills they need to communicate effectively. It also accounts for the language's cultural context. The CEFR gives educators and curriculum developers a shared basis for communication and reflection across the Council of Europe's member states. Their goal is to provide a beneficial environment for language learners to learn efficiently in their specific contexts.

CEFR Language Proficiency Levels

The common reference levels offer a shared means to compare language exams, curricula, textbooks, and courses to create new teaching and learning materials.

The CEFR includes six standard reference levels — A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2. Each level features "can-do" descriptors to describe the language user's proficiency. In general, the A level refers to a basic user, the B level refers to an independent user, and the C level refers to a proficient user.

Here are the CEFR language levels from A1 to C2:

  • A1: The most basic level demonstrates an ability to communicate and exchange simple information. The language learner can utilize and understand familiar common expressions and basic phrases to satisfy their needs. For example, they can introduce themselves and others and have conversations about personal details, such as things they have, people they know and where they live. At this level, the language learner can understand the conversation when the other person speaks slowly and wants to help them.
  • A2: This stage describes a capability to handle simple information and express oneself in familiar contexts. The language learner can frequently comprehend used expressions and sentences related to personal information, such as employment, family, local geography, and shopping.
  • B1: The independent level illustrates a limited ability to express oneself in familiar situations and generally deal with unfamiliar ones. The language learner can understand the primary points of information regarding leisure, work, and school. They can also provide brief explanations for their plans and opinions and express their ambitions, future events, hopes, and dreams. They'll most likely feel comfortable communicating in an area where the target language is commonly spoken.
  • B2: This stage demonstrates a capacity to fulfill most goals and express oneself in various topics. The language learner can comprehend a complex text's primary ideas on abstract and concrete issues, such as technical discussions in their career field. They can interact with native speakers with fluidity and spontaneity to prevent strain for either speaker.
  • C1: This proficiency level describes an ability to communicate appropriately, sensitively, and capably while addressing unfamiliar topics. The language learner can recognize a wide range of longer, more demanding texts and understand their implicit meaning. They can typically express themselves without much need to pause and search for the correct expression. They can use this language for professional, social, and academic purposes, demonstrating a controlled use of organizational patterns and cohesive devices.
  • C2: This mastery level illustrates the capacity to deal with academic or cognitively demanding material and use language effectively at a level of performance that's usually more advanced than that of an average native speaker. The language learner can easily understand almost everything they hear or read. They can summarize information from various sources and create new arguments and stories coherently in many advanced situations.
The common reference levels provide a basis for comparing second/foreign language curricula, textbooks, courses, and exams. Together with the rest of the CEFR's descriptive apparatus, they can also be used to support the design of curricula, teaching programs, learning materials, and assessment instruments.

Please note that if a candidate takes a test scored on the CEFR Scale but does not demonstrate sufficient language ability to receive an A1 rating, a rating of 0 will be issued.

CEFR vs. ACTFL

What's the difference between CEFR and ACTFL? Second language instruction in Europe uses the CEFR scale to measure progress while generally, in the United States educators use the ACTFL scale to measure language proficiency. Both proficiency scales can be used for different types of institutions and users. The ACTFL and the CEFR scales both focus on language abilities that a user can demonstrate in real-world settings.

Get Certified on the CEFR Scale Online

An online proficiency assessment rated on the CEFR Scale can objectively show how proficient you are in another language. If you're an individual looking to boost your academic or professional resume, you can take an ACTFL assessment to certify your proficiency. These tests also help academic institutions or professional organizations evaluate students’ or employees’ language abilities.

Scores on most ACTFL assessments can be issued on the CEFR scale with a CEFR certification. Contact us to find out more information about our certifications.

Get a Common European Framework of Reference Scale Placement Test Online with LTI
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