The CEFR Global Scale

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
C2
Proficient User

him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more
complex situations.

Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express
him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language
C1 flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured,
detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and
cohesive devices.

Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical
discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes
Independent User

B2 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.

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 travelling in an area where the
B1 language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest.
Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and
explanations for opinions and plans.

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). Can communicate
A2 in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine
Basic User

matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in
areas of immediate need.

Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of
needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about
A1 personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a
simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
 The CEFR Self-Assessment Grid
A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2
Listening I can recognise familiar words I can understand phrases and the I can understand the main points of I can understand extended speech and I can understand extended speech I have no difficulty in
U and very basic phrases highest frequency vocabulary clear standard speech on familiar lectures and follow even complex lines even when it is not clearly structured understanding any kind of spoken
N concerning myself, my family related to areas of most immediate matters regularly encountered in of argument provided the topic is and when relationships are only language, whether live or
D and immediate concrete personal relevance (e.g. very basic work, school, leisure, etc. I can reasonably familiar. I can understand implied and not signalled explicitly. I broadcast, even when delivered at
E surroundings when people personal and family information, understand the main point of many most TV news and current affairs can understand television fast native speed, provided I have
R speak slowly and clearly. shopping, local area, employment). I radio or TV programmes on current programmes. I can understand the programmes and films without too some time to get familiar with the
can catch the main point in short, affairs or topics or personal or majority of films in standard dialect. much effort.
S accent.
clear, simple messages and professional interest when the
T
announcements. delivery is relatively slow and clear.
A
Reading I can understand familiar I can read very short, simple texts. I I can understand texts that consist I can read articles and reports I can understand long and complex I can read with ease virtually all
N names, words and very simple can find specific, predictable mainly of high frequency everyday concerned with contemporary factual and literary texts, forms of the written language,
D sentences, for example on information in simple everyday or job-related language. I can problems in which the writers adopt appreciating distinctions of style. I including abstract, structurally or
I notices and posters or in material such as advertisements, understand the description of particular attitudes or viewpoints. I can can understand specialised articles linguistically complex texts such as
N catalogues. prospectuses, menus and events, feelings and wishes in understand contemporary literary and longer technical instructions, manuals, specialised articles and
G timetables and I can understand personal letters. prose. even when they do not relate to my literary works.
short simple personal letters. field.
Spoken I can interact in a simple way I can communicate in simple and I can deal with most situations I can interact with a degree of fluency I can express myself fluently and I can take part effortlessly in any
Interaction provided the other person is routine tasks requiring a simple and likely to arise whilst travelling in an and spontaneity that makes regular spontaneously without much obvious conversation or discussion and
prepared to repeat or direct exchange of information on area where the language is spoken. interaction with native speakers quite searching for expressions. I can use have a good familiarity with
rephrase things at a slower familiar topics and activities. I can I can enter unprepared into possible. I can take an active part in language flexibly and effectively for idiomatic expressions and
rate of speech and help me handle very short social exchanges, conversation on topics that are discussion in familiar contexts, social and professional purposes. I colloquialisms. I can express
formulate what Im trying to even though I cant usually familiar, or personal interest or accounting for and sustaining my views. can formulate ideas and opinions myself fluently and convey finer
say. I can ask and answer understand enough to keep the pertinent to everyday life (e.g. with precision and relate my
S shades of meaning precisely. If I
simple questions in areas of conversation going myself. family, hobbies, work, travel and contribution skilfully to those of
P do have a problem I can backtrack
immediate need or on very current events). other speakers.
E familiar topics.
and restructure around the
A difficulty so smoothly that other
K people are hardly aware of it.
I Spoken I can use simple phrases and I can use a series of phrases and I can connect phrases in a simple I can present clear, detailed I can present clear, detailed I can present a clear, smoothly
N Production sentences to describe where I sentences to describe in simple way in order to describe descriptions on a wide range of descriptions of complex subjects flowing description or argument in
G live and people I know. terms my family and other people, experiences and events, my subjects related to my field of interest. I integrating sub-themes, developing a style appropriate to the context
living conditions, my educational dreams, hopes and ambitions. I can can explain a viewpoint on a topical particular points and rounding off and with an effective logical
background and my present or most briefly give reasons and issue giving the advantages and with an appropriate conclusion. structure which helps the recipient
recent job. explanations for opinions and disadvantages of various options. to notice and remember
plans. I can narrate a story or relate
significant points.
the plot of a book or film and
describe my reactions.
Writing I can write a short, simple I can write short, simple notes and I can write simple connected text I can write clear, detailed text on a I can express myself in clear, well- I can write clear, smoothly flowing
W postcard, for example sending messages relating to matters in on topics which are familiar or of wide range of subjects related to my structured text, expressing points of text in an appropriate style. I can
R holiday greetings. I can fill in areas of immediate need. I can personal interest. I can write interests. I can write an essay or report, view at some length. I can write write complex letters, reports or
I forms with personal details, write a very simple personal letter, personal letters describing passing on information or giving about complex subjects in a letter, an articles which present a case with
T for example entering my for example thanking someone for experiences and impressions. reasons in support of or against a essay or a report, underlining what I an effective logical structure which
I name, nationality and address something. particular point of view. I can write consider to be the salient issues. I helps the recipient to notice and
on a hotel registration form. letters highlighting the personal can select style appropriate to the
N remember significant points. I can
significance of events and experiences. reader in mind.
G write summaries and reviews of
professional or literary works.
Lower Secondary