Exam Preparation

What is the CEFR? (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)

The CEFR describes what language learners have to learn to do in order to use a language for communication and what knowledge and skills they have to develop so as to be able to act effectively.

The Framework also defines levels of proficiency which allow learners’ progress to be measured at each stage of learning and on a life-long basis.

A1- Beginner

In an A1 class, you are working towards achieving CEFR level A1 in English. You can interact in a simple way, ask and answer simple questions about yourself, where you live, people you know, and things you have. You can make and respond to simple statements on very familiar topics. At this level, your teacher will help you develop fluency- the ability to speak and make sounds in English. Communication is the most important activity to practice.

A2- Elementary

In an A2 class, you are working towards achieving CEFR level A2 in English. At this level, you will be able to use simple everyday polite forms of greeting and address, and react to responses and news. You can have short social exchanges as well as simple transactions involved with getting out and about. At this level, your teacher will help you develop fluency- the ability to speak easily in English. Your teacher will help you structure sentences so that your communication is clear and simple.

A2+ / PreB1- Pre-Intermediate

In an A2+/PreB1 class, you are working towards achieving CEFR level A2+/ PreB1 in English. You are becoming more active in conversation but still need some help. You can understand simple, routine interactions without much effort, and can make yourself understood. You can generally share ideas and information on familiar topics in predictable situations. In conversation, you can express how you feel in simple terms and are able to give an extended description of everyday aspects of your life. At this level, your teacher helps you learn lots of new vocabulary and new grammatical structures.

B1- Intermediate

You are working towards achieving CEFR level B1 in English. This is the level where you are able to maintain interaction and express what you want to say comprehensibly, even though you probably have to pause to think of a word or a structure. At this level, you can expect to be able to cope flexibly with problems in everyday life, and can enter unprepared into conversations. In class, your teacher will help you develop your fluency and broaden the range of language you use. You are able to use basic structures correctly and without hesitation and now you can concentrate on expanding the range of grammatical structures and vocabulary that you use in communication.

B2- Upper Intermediate

You are working towards achieving CEFR level B2 in English. This is the level at which you are able to account for and sustain opinions in discussion by providing relevant explanations, arguments and comments. You can explain a viewpoint on a topical issue, giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options. There are two new focuses at this level- being able to more than hold your own in social discourse, initiating, turn taking, sustaining and closing discussion, and, at this level, you should be more aware of language. You are able to correct mistakes if they have led to misunderstanding and are beginning to monitor your speech and writing in order to correct mistakes. In class, your teacher plans tasks and activities that practice all skills and help you develop strong communication strategies.

B2+ – Upper Intermediate+

You are working towards achieving CEFR level B2+ in English. B2+ is the level at which we expect learners to interact using a wide range of linguistic and strategic skills which demonstrate their ability to explain a viewpoint on a topical issue, giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options, hold their own in social discourse by initiating, turn taking, sustaining and closing discussion. At this level, you are aware of language and are able to monitor your speech and writing in order to correct mistakes. There is a greater emphasis on how you organize your speech at this level and you are expected to be able to use a wide range language accurately. There is also a greater emphasis on how you express yourself in writing at this level.

C1- Advanced

You are working towards achieving CEFR level C1 in English. At this level. You have good access to a broad range of language, which allows fluent, spontaneous communication. There is little obvious searching for expressions or avoidance strategies; only a conceptually difficult subject can hinder a natural, smooth flow of language. The discourse skills characterised at B2+ continue to be evident with an emphasis on more fluency with clear, smoothly-flowing, speech showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors, and cohesive devices. In class, your teacher pushes you to actively take control of your learning and will use material from C2 level if appropriate.