A1 Basic user – Beginner
Learners at this level can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. They can introduce themselves and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where they live, people they know and things they have. They can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
A2 Basic user – elementary
Students at this level can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). They can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. They can describe in simple terms aspects of their background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
B1 Independent user – Threshold
Students can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. They can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken and can produce a simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. They can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes, and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
B2 Independent user – Upper Intermediate
At the B2 level, students should be able to understand the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialization. They can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. They 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.
C1 Proficient user – effective operational proficiency
At the C1 level of proficiency, students should be able to understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning. They can express themselves fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. They can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic, and professional purposes. They can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors, and cohesive devices.
c2 Proficient user – Mastery
At the C2 level of proficiency, students can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. They can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments, and accounts in a coherent presentation. They are able to express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.