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Official Levels of the Common European Framework of Reference

In 2001 the Common European Framework of References for Languages was published after many years of research. This framework, also called CEFR, describes what language users who have acquired a new language can do and how well and efficiently they do so. These CEFR levels indicate the various levels of language proficiency of users of a language.

Levels of the Common European Framework of Reference

A Beginners level


A1: Breakthrough

A2: Waystage

B Intermediate level


B1: Threshold

B2: Vantage

C Advanced level


C1: Effective Operational Proficiency

C2: Mastery

At the Language & Training Centre you generally need to take two language courses to increase your language proficiency by one CEFR level. For non-European languages and for higher levels of French and Spanish (from level B1) you need to take more than two language courses to reach the next level up. For more information please see the relevant language.


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