What is the CEFR ?

ScottsEnglish

European students sometimes ask, "What is the CEFR that teachers are referring to?"

The CEFR is the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. It is divided into 6 levels, from A1 (the lowest) to C2 (native speaker proficiency).

It is divided into three sections: understanding, speaking and writing. It is further subdivided into listening
/ reading (understanding) and spoken interaction / spoken production (speaking).

Each level has a description of what the language learner can do for each subcategory. Below is an example of the chart used in Europe. To give yourself an idea of your level, ask yourself if you master the criteria in each box.