What are the CEFR levels? English levels from A1 to C2
The six levels of the Common European Framework, what you can do at each one, and where to start with vocabulary.
What is the CEFR?
The CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is a shared scale developed by the Council of Europe to describe language ability. Phrases such as "B2-level English" in language courses, coursebooks, international exams and job adverts all come from it.
CEFR levels are not exam scores but descriptions of ability: each level uses "can do" statements to say what someone at that level can do with the language. The scale is the same for every language.
Three bands, six levels
The scale has three broad bands: A basic user, B independent user and C proficient user. Each band is split in two, giving six levels. The descriptions below are a short summary of the CEFR's global scale.
| Level | Name | What can you do at this level? |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Beginner | You understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases: introducing yourself, saying where you live, asking and answering simple questions. |
| A2 | Elementary | You understand sentences about common topics such as shopping, family, your local area and work, and can exchange simple, direct information in routine tasks. |
| B1 | Intermediate | You understand the main points of clear, standard speech on familiar matters like work, school and leisure, handle most situations while travelling, and can briefly describe experiences and plans. |
| B2 | Upper intermediate | You understand the main ideas of complex texts on concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in your field, and can talk with native speakers fluently enough that neither side struggles. |
| C1 | Advanced | You understand long, demanding texts and implicit meaning, express yourself fluently and spontaneously, and use the language flexibly for social, academic and work purposes. |
| C2 | Proficient | You understand virtually everything you hear or read, summarise information from different sources, and tell apart fine shades of meaning even in complex situations. |
How do you find your level?
To prove your level, you can take an international exam that reports results as a CEFR level; many well-known English exams map their results to the scale. To get a feel for it on your own, the Council of Europe's self-assessment grid describes listening, reading, speaking and writing separately with "can do" statements.
Your skills can sit at different levels: reading at B2 while speaking at B1 is very common. Vocabulary is the common base that all of these skills rely on.
How are words sorted into levels?
The CEFR itself doesn't come with a word list; it defines levels by skills. Words are placed in levels by sources such as coursebook and dictionary publishers, based on the level at which learners usually recognise and use them. That's why the same word can appear at different levels in different sources.
In Wordlingo, every word belongs to one level. You can see example words from each level on the English levels and example words page.
Which level should you start with in Wordlingo?
If you're not sure, start with A1 or A2; both are free. A round takes 3 minutes and every letter comes with a clue; the answer is an English word that starts with that letter. If you get most of the ring right without much trouble, try the next level up; if you're stuck on most letters, practise a little longer one level down.
Words you miss come back on your review cards; our guide to memorising English vocabulary explains how.
Wordlingo: PassaparolaThe English vocabulary game: one clue for every letter, six levels from A1 to C2. A1 and A2 are free, and your first round takes 3 minutes.
