What is a cefr level?

A CEFR level is a reference point for describing language use. The CEFR’s six main levels run from A1 to C2.

A good lesson lets you watch, try, receive feedback and try again with a clearer idea.

Your decision map

What is a CEFR level?

Start by picturing what you will do during the lesson and what you want to improve. A CEFR level is a reference point for describing language use. The CEFR’s six main levels run from A1 to C2.

The six levels can be grouped into three broad user bands.

Before enquiring, ask what you will do, how much practice time you get and what the price includes. A1 and A2 are Basic User levels. B1 and B2 are Independent User levels. C1 and C2 are Proficient User levels.

What do A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2 mean?

Keep What is a cefr level specific: the place, practitioner and learner task should all be visible. The CEFR’s six main levels run from A1 to C2. The six levels can be grouped into three broad user bands.

A1 and A2 are Basic User levels.

B1 and B2 are Independent User levels. C1 and C2 are Proficient User levels. The Companion Volume also includes Pre-A1 descriptors.

Why is your CEFR level a profile, not one neat badge?

A single overall label can hide an uneven profile. Listening and reading can differ from speaking and writing.

The place should add something useful to the lesson. Interaction is not identical to speaking production.

Recheck dates, prices and the named teacher before arranging travel. Mediation is part of the current descriptor architecture. Online interaction has dedicated descriptors in the Companion Volume. Plurilingual competence is not the sum of identical monolingual levels.

Is CEFR a test, certificate or accreditation?

Choose one skill you genuinely want to practise. Ask what you will do, how feedback works and what you can use afterwards. A CEFR level is not an exam. A CEFR level is not a certificate.

The Council of Europe does not issue a universal CEFR certificate.

A course can use CEFR language without Council of Europe accreditation. The CEFR is designed to apply across languages. Language-specific vocabulary and grammar require separate reference descriptions.

How can you estimate or establish your level?

A useful What is a cefr level guide should make this choice clearer before you contact anyone. Self-assessment is useful for orientation. Self-assessment is not equivalent to a validated proficiency test.

A placement test is designed for placement in a particular programme.

A course achievement test measures taught content. A proficiency test aims beyond one course syllabus. Teacher judgement and test scores are different evidence types.

Can scores from TOEFL, IELTS or other exams be converted?

Start by picturing what you will do during the lesson and what you want to improve. A score-to-CEFR table is an alignment claim, not an automatic equivalence. Responsible alignment requires a documented method.

Cut scores require standard-setting judgements.

Before enquiring, ask what you will do, how much practice time you get and what the price includes. Validity depends on the intended interpretation and use. Reliability does not by itself prove valid CEFR alignment. The latest TOEFL scale reports section as well as total scores.

What does B2—or “fluent”—actually tell you?

Keep What is a cefr level specific: the place, practitioner and learner task should all be visible. A single overall label can hide an uneven profile. B2 is not a universal synonym for fluent.

A traveller should ask which skills a course actually assesses.

A traveller should ask whether the stated level is entry, target or achieved level. Levels are defined through can-do descriptors.

A course can use CEFR language without Council of Europe accreditation. Current course pages should state their assessment method.

The place should add something useful to the lesson. Can-do descriptors describe observable language activity.

Recheck dates, prices and the named teacher before arranging travel. A one-week course should not promise a full-level jump without evidence. Contact hours do not convert mechanically into CEFR levels. CEFR is not the same entity as Cambridge English.

Options to check before you plan

Choose one skill you genuinely want to practise. Ask what you will do, how feedback works and what you can use afterwards. Current course pages should state their assessment method.

Use these questions before you choose:

• No course provider card belongs on this glossary page.
• Any future card requires current direct evidence and permission.
• Any future card requires entirely alcohol-free delivery.
• An online quiz result should be labelled with its scope.
• Cross-exam concordance should be read with the provider’s limitations.

Any future card requires entirely alcohol-free delivery. An online quiz result should be labelled with its scope. Cross-exam concordance should be read with the provider’s limitations.

What should a traveller ask before enrolling?

A useful What is a cefr level guide should make this choice clearer before you contact anyone. A CEFR level is a reference point for describing language use. The CEFR’s six main levels run from A1 to C2.

The six levels can be grouped into three broad user bands.

A1 and A2 are Basic User levels. B1 and B2 are Independent User levels. C1 and C2 are Proficient User levels.

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Tell GoLearnTo what you want to practise, your dates, starting level, preferred language and any access or dietary needs. An enquiry lets you check the details before deciding. It does not reserve a place.