The Common European Framework of Reference
What is the Common European Framework of Reference for Language Learning (CEFR)?
When you are at the beginning of your language learning journey you are likely to ask yourself some key questions: What destination am I trying to reach? How am I going to get there? How will I know when I am there?
When you're learning a language it can be quite difficult to understand how well you're progressing on your journey, unless you can go to the country of interest to road test your skills first hand.
In recognising this, ten years ago the Modern Languages Division of the Council of Europe set about providing a helpful framework of clear levels to be attained at successive stages of learning and for evaluating outcomes in an internationally comparable manner.
The result of this is the Common European Framework of Reference for Language Learning (CEFR).
The CEFR is a guideline used to describe achievements of learners of foreign languages across Europe and, increasingly, in other countries. Its main aim is to provide a method of learning, teaching and assessing which applies to all languages in Europe.
There are six reference levels from A1 (beginners) to C2 (mastery level): A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. A good GCSE grade (A*-C), for example, represents level B1 on the CEFR.
We use this as a practical tool to work out the starting point of your journey, and to understand where you want to arrive. Please refer to the CEFR sheet that breaks down each level and highlights which level each of our fluentintuition courses is mapped against.