Common European Framework of Reference for Languages – Listening & Reading

Family &
Levels New Headway Descriptors
Friends
Can understand virtually all forms of the written language including abstract, structurally complex, or highly colloquial literary and non-literary writings. Can
understand a wide range of long and complex texts, appreciating subtle distinctions of style and implicit as well as explicit meaning.

C2 Proficient
Proficient User

Can understand with ease virtually any kind of spoken language, whether live or broadcast, delivered at fast natural speed.

Can understand in detail lengthy, complex texts, whether or not they relate to his/her own area of speciality, provided he/she can reread difficult sections. Can
understand a wide variety of texts including literary writings, newspaper or magazine articles, and specialised academic or professional publications, provided that
there are opportunities for re-reading and he/she has access to reference tools.
C1 Advanced
Can understand enough to follow extended speech on abstract and complex topics beyond his/her own field, though he/she may need to confirm occasional details,
especially if the accent is unfamiliar. Can recognise a wide range of idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms, appreciating register shifts. Can follow extended
speech even when it is not clearly structured and when relationships are only implied and not signalled explicitly.

Can read with a large degree of independence, adapting style and speed of reading to different texts and purposes, and using appropriate reference sources
selectively. Has a broad active reading vocabulary, but may experience some difficulty with low-frequency idioms.
Upper-
Independent User

B2 Can understand standard spoken language, live or broadcast on both familiar and unfamiliar topics normally encountered in personal, social, academic or
Intermediate vocational life. Only extreme background noise, inadequate discourse structure and/or idiomatic usage influence the ability to understand. Can understand the main
ideas of propositionally and linguistically complex speech on both concrete and abstract topics delivered in standard speech, including technical discussions in
his/her field of specialisation. Can follow extended speech and complex lines of argument provided the topic is reasonably familiar, and the direction of the talk is
sign-posted by explicit markers.

F&F6 Can read straightforward factual texts on subjects related to his/her field and interests with a satisfactory level of comprehension.

B1 Intermediate
Can understand straightforward factual information about common everyday or job related topics, identifying both general messages and specific details, provided
F&F5 speech is clearly articulated in a generally familiar accent. Can understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters regularly encountered in
work, school, leisure etc., including short narratives.

Can understand short, simple texts on familiar matters of a concrete type which consist of high frequency everyday or job-related language. Can understand short,
F&F4 simple texts containing the highest frequency vocabulary, including a proportion of shared international vocabulary items.
Pre-
A2
Intermediate Can understand enough to be able to meet needs of a concrete type provided speech is clearly and slowly articulated. Can understand phrases and expressions
F&F3 related to areas of most immediate priority (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment), provided speech is clearly and
slowly articulated.
Basic User

F&F2 Can understand very short, simple texts a single phrase at a time, picking up familiar names, words and basic phrases and rereading as required.

A1 Elementary
Can follow speech that is very slow and carefully articulated, with long pauses for him/her to assimilate meaning. Can recognise concrete information (e.g. places
F&F1 and times) on familiar topics encountered in everyday life, provided it is delivered in slow and clear speech.

Can recognise familiar words accompanied by pictures, such as a fast-food restaurant menu illustrated with photos or a picture book using familiar vocabulary.
F&F Can understand short, very simple questions and statements provided that they are delivered slowly and clearly and accompanied by visuals or manual gestures to
A0 Beginner support understanding and repeated if necessary. Can recognise everyday, familiar words, provided they are delivered clearly and slowly in a clearly defined,
Starter familiar, everyday context. Can recognise numbers, prices, dates and days of the week, provided they are delivered slowly and clearly in a defined, familiar, everyday
context.
 Common European Framework of Reference for Languages – Speaking & Writing
Family &
Levels New Headway Descriptors
Friends
Has a good command of idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms with awareness of connotative levels of meaning. Can convey finer shades of meaning precisely
by using, with reasonable accuracy, a wide range of modification devices. Can backtrack and restructure around a difficulty so smoothly the interlocutor is hardly
aware of it.
C2 Proficient
Proficient User

Can write clear, smoothly flowing, complex texts in an appropriate and effective style and a logical structure which helps the reader to find significant points.

Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously, almost effortlessly. Has a good command of a broad lexical repertoire allowing gaps to be readily overcome
with circumlocutions. There is little obvious searching for expressions or avoidance strategies; only a conceptually difficult subject can hinder a natural, smooth flow
of language.
C1 Advanced
Can write clear, well-structured texts of complex subjects, underlining the relevant salient issues, expanding and supporting points of view at some length with
subsidiary points, reasons and relevant examples, and rounding off with an appropriate conclusion. Can employ the structure and conventions of a variety of written
genres, varying the tone, style and register according to addressee, text type and theme.
Can use the language fluently, accurately and effectively on a wide range of general, academic, vocational or leisure topics, marking clearly the relationships
between ideas. Can communicate spontaneously with good grammatical control without much sign of having to restrict what he/she wants to say, adopting a level of
formality appropriate to the circumstances. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction, and sustained relationships with
Upper- speakers of the target language quite possible without imposing strain on either party. Can highlight the personal significance of events and experiences, account for
B2
Independent User

and sustain views clearly by providing relevant explanations and arguments.

Can communicate with some confidence on familiar routine and non-routine matters related to his/her interests and professional field. Can exchange, check and
confirm information, deal with less routine situations and explain why something is a problem. Can express thoughts on more abstract, cultural topics such as films,
F&F6 books, music etc. Can exploit a wide range of simple language to deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling. Can enter unprepared into conversation of
familiar topics, express personal opinions and exchange information on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life (e.g. family, hobbies,
B1 Intermediate work, travel and current events).

Can write straightforward connected texts on a range of familiar subjects within his/her field of interest, by linking a series of shorter discrete elements into a linear
F&F5 sequence.

Can interact with reasonable ease in structured situations and short conversations, provided the other person helps if necessary. Can manage simple, routine
exchanges without undue effort; can ask and answer questions and exchange ideas and information on familiar topics in predictable everyday situations. Can
F&F4 communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters to do with work and free time. Can
Pre- handle very short social exchanges but is rarely able to understand enough to keep conversation going of his/her own accord.
A2
Intermediate
F&F3 Can write a series of simple phrases and sentences linked with simple connectors like ‘and,’ ‘but’ and ‘because’.
Basic User

Can interact in a simple way but communication is totally dependent on repetition at a slower rate of speech, rephrasing and repair. Can ask and answer simple
F&F2 questions, initiate and respond to simple statements in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics.

A1 Elementary
Can give information in writing about matters of personal relevance (e.g. likes and dislikes, family, pets) using simple words and basic expressions. Can write simple
F&F1 isolated phrases and sentences.

F&F Can ask and answer questions about him/herself and daily routines, using short, formulaic expressions and relying on gestures to reinforce the information.
A0 Beginner
Starter Can give basic personal information in writing (e.g. name, address, nationality), perhaps with the use of a dictionary.