LEVELS
OUR LEVELS
We design our courses according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
The result of over twenty years of research, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching and assessment (CEFR) is exactly what its title says it is: a framework of reference. It was designed to provide a transparent, coherent and comprehensive basis for the elaboration of language syllabuses and curriculum guidelines, the design of teaching and learning materials, and the assessment of foreign language proficiency. It is used in Europe but also in other continents.
If you would like to learn more about this, please click here
to visit the Council of Europe website.
Global scale of the official Common Reference levels
The progressive mastery of each skill of the language (reading, listening, writing and speaking) is graded on a six-level scale (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2).
Please see below orientation points for each:
PROFICIENT
USER
C2
C1
Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.
Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.
INDEPENDENT
USER
B2
B1
Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
BASIC
USER
A2
A1
Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). 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/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
Here, at Spanish on Earth, we tackle the Common Reference grades described above as follows:
C2
PROFICIENCY
C2.3
C2.2 C2 grade is divided in 3 levels of 20 hours each (2 hours per lesson)
C2.1
C1
ADVANCED
C1.3
C1.2 C1 grade is divided in 3 levels of 20 hours each (2 hours per lesson)
C1.1
B2
UPPER INTERMEDIATE
B2.3
B2.2 B2 grade is divided in 3 levels of 30 hours each (2 hours per lesson)
B2.1
B1
INTERMEDIATE
B1.3
B1.2 B1 grade is divided in 3 levels of 30 hours each (2 hours per lesson)
B1.1
A2
ELEMENTARY
A2.3
A2.2 A2 grade is divided in 3 levels of 20 hours each (2 hours per lesson)
A2.1
A1
BEGINNER
A1.3
A1.2 Each grade is divided in 3 levels of 20 hours each (2 hours per lesson)
A1.1