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The CEFR Levels: skills description

What is the CEFR?

The CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) describes in a clear way what language learners are supposed to learn to do in order to use a language for communication and what knowledge and skills they have to acquire. The Framework defines levels of proficiency which allow learners' progress to be assessed at each stage of learning. The CEFR provides a common basis upon which language syllabuses, curriculum guidelines, examinations, tests, textbooks, etc. are developed all over the world.

VOCABULARY You have a basic vocabulary repertoire of words/signs and phrases related to particular concrete situations. GRAMMAR You show only limited control of a few simple grammatical structures and sentence patterns in a learnt repertoire. PRONUNCIATION You can articulate a limited number of sounds, so that speech is only intelligible if the interlocutor provides support (e.g. by repeating correctly and by eliciting repetition of new sounds). WRITING You can copy familiar words and short phrases, e.g. simple signs or instructions, names of everyday objects, names of shops, and set phrases used regularly. You can spell you address, nationality and other personal details. You can use basic punctuation (e.g. full stops, question marks). You can give information about matters of personal relevance (e.g. likes and dislikes, family, pets) using simple words/signs and basic expressions. You can produce simple isolated phrases and sentences. You can produce simple phrases and sentences about yourself, you can say where you live and what you do. You can describe in very simple language what a room looks like. You can use simple words/signs and phrases to describe certain everyday objects (e.g. the colour of a car, whether it is big or small). SPEAKING You can manage very short, isolated utterances, with much pausing to search for expressions, to articulate less familiar words/signs, and to repair communication. You can produce simple, mainly isolated phrases about people and places. You can describe yourself, what you do and where you live. You can describe simple aspects of your everyday life in a series of simple sentences, using simple words/signs and basic phrases, provided you can prepare in advance. You can name an object and indicate its shape and colour while showing it to others using basic words/signs, phrases and formulaic expressions, provided you can prepare in advance. LISTENING You can follow language which is very slow and carefully articulated, with long pauses for you to assimilate meaning. You can recognise concrete information (e.g. places and times) on familiar topics encountered in everyday life, provided it is delivered slowly and clearly. You can understand in outline very simple information being explained in a predictable situation like a guided tour, provided the delivery is very slow and clear and that there are long pauses from time to time. You can understand instructions addressed carefully and slowly to you and follow short, simple directions. You can understand when someone tells you slowly and clearly where something is, provided the object is in the immediate environment. You can understand figures, prices and times given slowly and clearly in an announcement by loudspeaker, e.g. at a railway station or in a shop. You can recognise familiar words/signs and phrases and identify the topics in headline news summaries and many of the products in advertisements, by exploiting visual information and general knowledge. READING You can understand very short, simple texts a single phrase at a time, picking up familiar names, words and basic phrases and rereading as required. You can understand short, simple messages on postcards. You can understand short, simple messages sent via social media or e-mail (e.g. proposing what to do, when and where to meet). You can follow short, simple directions (e.g. to go from X to Y).