You've taken a proficiency test to determine where you stand in your journey to learn Spanish, and the result is, for instance, B1. Great job! But what does that mean? Don't worry, it's natural to feel lost with all this terminology.
For students and academies of Spanish as a foreign language, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is the key tool that provides a clear and coherent structure for measuring and evaluating language proficiency. That’s why, in Hablamos’ blog, a Spanish school for foreigners, today we’re going to talk about the Common European Framework of Reference and the levels of Spanish for foreigners.
What is the CEFR?
The CEFR is an international standard used to describe and evaluate language skills in different languages, including Spanish. It provides a common framework that allows students, educators, and employers to understand and compare levels of language competence. In the specific context of Spanish for foreigners, the CEFR establishes six levels of competence, from A1 to C2, which span from beginner to advanced skills.
What are the CEFR levels?
The CEFR levels for Spanish as a Foreign Language are six. They are divided into three main groups: A (basic level), B (intermediate level), and C (advanced level), further divided into two.
A1 – Beginner: At this level, students are starting their journey in the Spanish language. They can understand and use familiar and everyday expressions, introduce themselves and others, answer simple questions, and interact at a basic level as long as the other person speaks slowly and clearly.
A2 – Elementary: Students at this level can communicate in simple and everyday situations that require direct exchanges of information related to common topics and basic needs such as shopping or going to the doctor. People at this level can talk about themselves and their environment in the past tense.
B1 – Intermediate: Here, students are capable of understanding and producing simple texts in familiar situations. They can participate in conversations on familiar topics, express personal opinions, deal with problems that may arise when traveling in Spain or another Spanish-speaking country, describe experiences, dreams, and ambitions, as well as opinions and plans.
B2 – Upper Intermediate: At this level, students have a good command of Spanish and can understand complex texts, participate in more advanced discussions on a variety of both concrete and abstract topics, express themselves fluently and spontaneously in social interactions with native speakers, and produce clear and detailed texts on various topics, expressing advantages, disadvantages, and their personal opinion. Level B2 is required in many universities to study in Spain.
C1 – Advanced: Students at this level have a high degree of fluency and accuracy in the language. They can understand extensive and complex texts, as well as express themselves fluently and structurally in formal and informal situations, demonstrating fluency and spontaneity.
C2 – Mastery: This is the highest level of competence in Spanish. Students can easily understand virtually everything they read or hear, and can express themselves with accuracy, fluency, and subtlety, understanding the differences in meaning marked by elements such as intonation or wordplay in complex situations.
The CEFR provides a clear and coherent guide for the learning and assessment of Spanish as a foreign language. By following this framework, students can track their progress and reach increasingly higher levels of language competence, thus opening up a world of personal and professional opportunities. When you take your free level test at Hablamos, you’ll get the level you’re at so you can choose which group or study itinerary is most suitable for you.
Write to us and find out your level and start studying Spanish with Hablamos, a Spanish school in Madrid!
