What are CEFR Levels?
CEFR levels, also known as the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, is a system used to evaluate and assess language proficiency. The Council of Europe created it to provide an international standard for describing language ability. The CEFR divides learners into three broad levels: Basic (A1-A2), Independent (B1-B2), and Proficient (C1-C2). Each level is further divided into two or three stages, making it easier to measure a learner’s progress over time.
The CEFR provides an objective measure of language ability by assigning each task a numerical score. In addition to this numerical rating, the CEFR also includes descriptors for each level that are useful for identifying characteristics associated with that level. It is widely used by educational establishments throughout Europe and has been recently adopted by IELTS as a way to measure English language proficiency for candidates with permanent residency visa Canada.
Level A1: Basics
This level, also known as the beginner’s level, focuses on basic language knowledge and elementary communication skills. Its primary purpose is to help learners acquire a basic command of the language to interact with others in simple everyday situations.
At this level, learners with permanent residency visa Canada must be able to recognize familiar words and understand the fundamentals of grammar. They can produce simple phrases about themselves, such as their name, age, and address. However, their communication ability may be limited due to a lack of vocabulary or other linguistic abilities. Additionally, they would need guidance when trying to express themselves outside these topics.
Level A2: Elementary
This level assesses basic understanding and use of English language skills. It requires mastery at a simple sentence level, including understanding some everyday words and phrases.
At level A2, test takers applying for the provincial nominee program Canada should be able to communicate in straightforward situations. Here only limited interaction with native speakers is required. They should be capable of using basic language structures correctly, such as simple present tense verbs and a limited range of common nouns and adjectives. Furthermore, they must have basic English grammar rules to understand sentences containing familiar vocabulary.
Level B1: Intermediate
At this level, learners can communicate simply about common topics such as family, hobbies, interests, work, and study. The ability to form sentences using correct grammar is a must at this stage. Learners should be able to interact with native speakers confidently while understanding their main points in any conversation. They should be capable of expressing themselves clearly on various topics without having difficulty with pronunciation or comprehension.
Level B2: Upper Intermediate
Speaking about level B2, a learner should be able to maintain a conversation without much difficulty. They will be able to present complex ideas clearly with appropriate language and structure, although there may still be some errors in grammar and vocabulary. Other skills included are reading comprehension, understanding complex texts or recordings, naturally interacting with native speakers, and summarizing information from texts. Furthermore, learners at this level are expected to use appropriate expressions while writing letters or emails, as well as be able to narrate stories or events in detail while speaking.
Level C1: Advanced
At this level, they can understand and use abstract language and complex topics such as politics and economics in written and spoken form. They also have a wide range of vocabulary, enabling them to express themselves clearly in any situation. Additionally, they can take part in conversations with native speakers confidently and accurately, understand convoluted discussions or messages and explain difficult concepts clearly and concisely in a professional or social setting.
Level C2: Proficiency
At this level test takers applying for the provincial nominee program Canada are expected to demonstrate an ability to understand complex topics even if those topics are not related to their field of study or career. Candidates are capable of understanding everything in level C2. They must also be able to follow long and complicated instructions in both spoken and written formats. Furthermore, they need to be able to use language flexibly for social, academic, and professional purposes. The candidates should be able to present data understandably by summarizing data from multiple sources.
Those who achieve this level should have a good command of idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms commonly used in everyday situations.
Conclusion
The CEFR levels of IELTS are a great way to measure one’s English proficiency. The level of each part is determined by the score attained on the test. Furthermore, students with permanent residency visas in Canada can use this as a benchmark in improving their English language skills and meeting their personal academic goals. It provides an effective and concise understanding of one’s English language ability. It is crucial for those taking the IELTS exam to become familiar with this standardized grading system.
