He can communicate in a simple way provided that the person he is talking to speaks slowly and clearly and is willing to help in detail:

1) Oral comprehension

The holder of this level can recognize familiar words and very basic phrases that relate to him/her, his/her family and the immediate concrete environment when people speak slowly and clearly.

Can understand familiar names, words and very simple sentences, e.g. in announcements and posters or in catalogues.

2) Oral production

Can converse in a simple way provided that the other speaker is prepared to repeat or rephrase his/her words at a slower rate of speech and to assist in phrasing.

Can ask questions and give answers on matters of immediate need or very familiar topics.

Can use simple phrases and sentences to describe where he/she lives and the people he/she knows.

3) Written comprehension

Can understand familiar names, words and very simple sentences, e.g. in announcements and posters or catalogues.

4) Written production

Has the ability to write a short, simple card, for example sending greetings from the holidays.

Can fill in personal details on forms, for example, writing name, address and nationality on a hotel accommodation form.

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A2: The holder of this level can understand frequently used sentences and expressions related to areas that are directly relevant (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, work).

Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.

Can describe in simple terms aspects of his or her background, immediate environment and matters of immediate need.

More specifically, he/she can: a) Understand high-frequency phrases and words related to areas of immediate personal relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, work). b) Capture the main idea in cases of short, clear, simple messages and announcements. Is able to read very short, simple texts, find specific predictable information in simple everyday material such as advertisements, brochures, restaurant menus and programmes c) Can understand short, simple personal letters.

1) Oral comprehension

Can understand high-frequency phrases and words related to areas of immediate personal relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, work).

Can grasp the main idea in short, clear, simple messages and communications.

2) Oral production

Can communicate in simple routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar topics and activities.

Can handle very brief social interactions, although usually cannot understand enough to continue the conversation.

Can use a range of phrases and sentences to describe in simple terms family and other people, living conditions, educational background and current or most recent work.

3) Written comprehension

Has the ability to read very short, simple texts.

Can find specific predictable information in simple everyday materials such as advertisements, brochures, restaurant menus and programs and can understand short simple personal letters.

4) Production of written language

Has the ability to write short, simple messages and notes related to issues of immediate need.

Can write a very simple personal letter thanking, for example, someone for something.

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B1: Able to understand the main points presented clearly and without deviating from the common linguistic form, on topics regularly encountered at work, school, leisure, etc.

Can cope with situations likely to arise during a trip to a region where the language is spoken.

Can produce simple text relating to topics that he/she knows or that concern him/her personally.

Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and give concise reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

1) Oral comprehension

Has the ability to cope with most situations likely to arise while travelling in an area where the language is spoken.

Can take part unprepared in conversations on topics that are familiar to me, of personal interest, or related to everyday life (e.g. family, hobbies, work, travel and current affairs).

He can link phrases in a simple way to describe experiences and events, his dreams, hopes and ambitions.

Can give concise reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

Can tell a story or recount the plot of a book or film and describe his/her reactions.

2) Oral production

Can communicate in simple routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar topics and activities.

Can handle very brief social interactions, although usually cannot understand enough to continue the conversation himself.

Can use a range of phrases and sentences to describe in simple terms his family and other people, living conditions,

his educational background and his current or most recent job.

Can cope with most situations likely to arise while travelling in an area where the language is spoken.

Can take part unprepared in conversations on topics that are familiar, of personal interest to me, or related to daily life (e.g., family, hobbies, work, travel, and current affairs.

3) Written comprehension

Can understand texts containing mostly high-frequency everyday language or language related to work.

Can understand the description of events, feelings and wishes in personal letters.

4) Production of written language

Can write a simple text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest to him/her.

Can write personal letters describing experiences and impressions.

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B2: Can understand the main ideas of a complex text, both on concrete and abstract topics, including discussions on technical issues in his/her field of specialisation.

Can converse with a degree of comfort and spontaneity that makes normal communication with native speakers of the language possible without any burden on either party.

Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of topics and explain a point of view on a central issue, giving the advantages and disadvantages of different options.

1) Oral comprehension

Can understand extended oral discourse and lectures and even follow complex arguments, provided the topic is not particularly unfamiliar.

Can understand most news and information programmes on television.

Can understand most films in the standard dialect.

2) Oral production

Can converse with a degree of comfort and spontaneity that allows smooth interaction with native speakers.

Can take an active part in a conversation in familiar contexts, explaining and supporting my views.

Can make clear, detailed descriptions of a wide range of topics related to his/her interests.

Can explain a viewpoint on a central issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of different options.

3) Written Comprehension

Can read articles and reports relating to contemporary problems in which the authors adopt particular attitudes or opinions.

Can understand contemporary prose.

4) Production of written language

Can write clear, detailed texts on a wide range of topics related to his/her interests.

Can write an essay or report, quoting information or giving arguments to support or refute a particular point of view.

Can write letters emphasising the personal significance of events and experiences.

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C1: Can understand a wide range of demanding, long texts and recognise implied meanings.

Can express him/herself comfortably and spontaneously without often appearing to be searching for expressions.

Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed texts on complex topics, demonstrating controlled use of organisational schemes, connectors and coherence mechanisms.

1) Oral comprehension

Can understand the extended spoken language even when it is not clearly structured or even when relationships between words are merely implied rather than explicitly stated.

Can understand television programmes and films without much effort.

2) Oral production

Can express himself or herself fluently and spontaneously without a particularly obvious search for expressions.

Can use language flexibly and effectively for social and professional purposes.

Can articulate ideas and opinions accurately and can skilfully relate his/her contribution to those of other speakers.

Can make clear detailed descriptions of complex topics by integrating sub-themes, developing specific points and concluding with an appropriate conclusion.

3) Written comprehension

Can understand long and complex literary and non-literary texts, recognising stylistic distinctions.

Can understand specialised articles and lengthy technical instructions, even when not related to his/her field of specialisation.

4) Written production

Can express himself/herself in clear, well-structured texts, expressing opinions at some length.

Can write letters, essays or reports on complex topics, highlighting what he/she believes to be substantive issues. Can choose a style appropriate to the expected reader.

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C2: Can easily understand almost everything he/she hears or reads.

Can summarise information from different oral or written sources, synthesising arguments and descriptions into a coherent presentation.

Can express him/herself spontaneously, with great ease and accuracy, distinguishing subtle semantic nuances even in particularly complex situations.

1) Oral comprehension

He has no difficulty in understanding any kind of spoken speech, whether live or broadcast, even when delivered at high native speaker speed, provided he has had some time to become familiar with the pronunciation.

2) Production of spoken speech

Can take part effortlessly in any conversation or discussion having sufficient knowledge of idiomatic expressions and colloquial terms.

Can express him/herself comfortably and distinguish the subtlest semantic nuances accurately. If there is a problem, he can recall and rephrase what presents difficulty so smoothly that others hardly notice.

He can make a description or formulate an argument clearly and smoothly, in a style that fits the context and with an effective logical structure that helps the listener to notice and retain the important points.

3) Written comprehension

Can comfortably read almost all types of written language, including abstract, and complex (structural or linguistic) texts such as user manuals, specialist articles and literary works.

4) Production of written language

Can write in an appropriate style clear texts with a smooth flow.

Can write complex letters of reference or articles that present a topic in an effective logical structure that helps the reader to notice and retain important points.

Can write summaries and reviews of professional or literary works.

Source: Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: learning, teaching, assessment,

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, assessment, evaluation, assessment and evaluation.