The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment, abbreviated as CEFR, is a guideline used to describe achievements of learners of foreign languages across Europe and, increasingly, in other countries. It was put together by the Council of Europe.
The main aim of the CEFR is to provide a method of learning, teaching and assessing which applies to all languages in Europe. Its six reference levels are becoming widely accepted as the European standard for grading an individual's language proficiency.
The Common European Framework divides learners into three broad divisions which can be further divided into six levels:
A. Basic Speaker
- A1 Breakthrough or Beginner
- A2 Waystage or Elementary
B. Independent Speaker
- B1 Threshold or Intermediate
- B2 Vantage or Upper Intermediate
C. Proficient Speaker
- C1 Effective Operational Proficiency or Advanced
- C2 Mastery or Proficiency
