All about the cefr

How many levels are there? 
There are six levels in CEFR: A1 (lowest), A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2 (highest). The “A” levels mean “basic user”, the “B” levels mean “intermediate user” and the “C” levels mean “proficient user”. 
The levels are based on a series of ‘can do’ statements that describe the things you can do in the language you are learning (in this case, English). For example, at level A1 a learner ‘can introduce themselves’ and at level B2 they ‘can speak about a wide range of subjects’. The can-do statements cover five language skills: spoken interaction (having a conversation), spoken production (what you can say), listening, reading and writing. 
How long does it take to move up the levels? 
Of course, every learner is different, but the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) have created a rough guide to the number of hours of ‘guided learning’ that are needed to progress through the levels. ‘Guided learning’ means help with a teacher – this includes homework.

As you can see, the higher levels require more learning hours than the lower levels. This is why it can sometimes seem like your progress slows down as your English level increases. 

What does my exam score mean on the CEFR scale? 
Different English language exams have different scoring systems, but all the well-known ones can be measured on the CEFR scale. The CEFR scale is very useful in this way, because no matter which exam you take, you can always explain your result in a standard way that everyone can understand. This is helpful if you are applying for a job or to study at university, for example.
Things to remember about levels 
As a language learner, you will be keen to make progress and so of course you will want to measure your English level often. This can be a good idea – BUT there are a few things to remember when checking your level: 

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  Language learners are not always the same level in every language skill: for example, your listening may be a lot stronger than your speaking, or your reading might be better than your grammatical accuracy. When you take a test or are given a level assessment, the level will be an overall level. 
  
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  People make progress at different speeds, for different reasons. Your journey as an English language learner is unique to you, and so sometimes it is not helpful to keep comparing yourself to other people or continually check your level.
  
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  Try to set yourself realistic goals. Becoming fluent in a foreign language takes a long time. Don’t be too disappointed if you don’t move up the levels as fast as you expect. As long as you are practising English regularly you will be making progress. 
  
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  Your level of English can go up and down over time, depending on how much you are using it in your everyday life. For example, if you get a job where you speak English every day to colleagues, your level will obviously increase. But if you move to a different job and stop using English every day, your level will probably go down. This is normal, and if you start to study or use English again you will quickly return to your previous level and even go beyond it. 
  
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  You can improve your level by doing things outside the classroom. Socialising with English-speaking friends, reading the newspaper and watching films and TV in English will all help to improve your level. Find something you are really interested in, and use English as a way to learn more about it. Learning will feel like fun, instead of hard work! 
  
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