CEF Levels

Basic User

A1 (Breakthrough) – A2 (Waystage)

Independent User

B1(Threshold) – B2 (Vantage)

Proficient User

C1(Effective Operational Proficiency ) – C2 (Mastery)

The Framework describes language knowledge and use at each level in positive “can do” statements. What does this mean?

Basic User:
A1 Breakthrough	Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases Introduce him/herself and others Ask and answer questions about personal details eg. Where he lives, people he knows, things he has, etc. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly.
A2 Waystage	Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance e.g. personal and family information, shopping, employment. Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring simple and direct exchange of information
Independent User:
B1 Threshold	Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered at work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can give descriptions of events and give opinions.
B2 Vantage	Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics including in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity without much strain for either party. Can provide clear and detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue.
Proficiency User:
C1 Effective Operational Proficiency	Can understand a wide range of demanding. Longer texts and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously. Can use the language flexibly and effectively in social, academic and professional situations. Can produce clear, well structured and detailed texts on complex subjects.
C2 Mastery	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 him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating the finer shades of meaning, even in more complex situations.

These levels provide guidance to language educators and instructors to identify existing levels of language competency in language learners and to develop curriculum and courses to advance the learners’ communicative competence.