CEFR* ECSPLICITE

Heading
Levels Levels GLOBAL Spoken interaction Listening Spoken production Writing Reading

99 Can take part effortlessly in any conversation or discussion

Can present a clear, smoothly-flowing description Can write clear, smoothly-flowing text in an appropriate
and has a good familiarity with idiomatic expressions and
98 Has no difficulty in understanding any kind of style. Can write complex letters, reports or articles which Can read with ease virtually all forms of the written
or argument in a style appropriate to the context

C2
Native

colloquialisms. Can express themselves fluently and

Communication is natural spoken language, whether live or broadcast, even present a case with an effective logical structure which language, including abstract, structurally or
97 convey finer shades of meaning precisely. If they have a and with an effective logical structure which helps
and flowing. when delivered at fast native speed, provided. Has helps the recipient to notice and remember significant linguistically complex texts such as manuals,
problem, they can backtrack and restructure around the the recipient to notice and remember significant
96 some time to get familiar with the accent. points. Can write summaries and reviews of professional or specialised articles and literary works.
difficulty so smoothly that other people are hardly aware points.
95 literary works.
of it.
94 Can express themselves fluently and spontaneously Can express themselves in clear, well-structured
Can understand extended speech even when it is Can understand long and complex factual and
Near Native

93 without much obvious searching for expressions. Can present clear, detailed descriptions of complex text, expressing points of view at some length. Can
not clearly structured and when relationships are literary texts, appreciating distinctions of style. Can

C1 92

91
Communication is rich
and spontaneous.
Can use language flexibly and effectively for social
and professional purposes. Can formulate ideas and
opinions with precision and relate their contribution
only implied and not signalled explicitly. Can
understand television programmes and films
subjects integrating sub-themes, developing
particular points and rounding off with an
appropriate conclusion.
write about complex subjects in a letter, an essay or
a report, underlining what they consider to be the
salient issues. Can select a style appropriate to the
understand specialised articles and longer technical
instructions, even when they do not relate to their
without too much effort. field.
90 skilfully to those of other speakers. reader in mind.
89

88 Can take an active part in discussion in familiar Can understand most TV news and current affairs Can lead and manage meetings with native Can write clear, detailed text on a wide range of
Can understand specialised and technical

B2+ 87

86
Communication is fluent and
nuanced.
contexts, accounting for and sustaining their views. programmes. Can understand the majority of films
Can convincingly defend arguments and positions
in formal meetings and confcalls.
in standard dialect. Can grasp implicit meanings in
most business situations.
speakers effectively. Can summarize and give an
account of previous discussions, or report on
progress on projetcs.
subjects related to their professional areas or
personal interests. Can use a formal or informal
style, according to the reader.
instructions even outside of their professional area.
Can follow complex literary narratives.

85

84
Strategic

83

82

81 Can present clear, detailed descriptions on a wide Can write a detailed report, passing on information
Can interact with a degree of fluency and Can read articles and reports concerned with
Can understand extended speech and lectures and range of subjects related to their field of interest. or giving reasons in support of or against a

B2
80 Communication is fluent, spontaneity that makes regular interaction with contemporary problems in which the writers adopt
follow even complex lines of argument provided Can explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving particular point of view. Can write e-mails
79 if still plain. native speakers quite possible. Can participate particular attitudes or viewpoints. Can understand
the topic is reasonably familiar. the advantages and disadvantages of various highlighting the personal significance of events and
comfortably in meetings and confcalls. contemporary literary prose.
78 options. experiences.
77

76

75

74

73 Can enter unprepared into conversation on topics Can understand the main point of many radio or TV
Can write appropriately in everyday working Can read most texts and understand much of the

B1+ 72

71
Communication is efficient.
that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to programmes on current affairs or topics of personal Can express themselves on complex issues using
everyday life (e.g. family, hobbies, work, travel and
current events).
or professional interest when the delivery is
relatively slow and clear.
standard vocabulary with a good deal of clarity.
situations. Can communicate information
underlying importance and explaining reasons.
detail often by infering ideas based on key
elements in the text.

70

69
Operational

68

67

66
Can connect phrases in a simple way in order to Can understand texts that consist mainly of high
Can understand the main points of clear standard Can write simple, connected, short texts on topics

B1
65 Communication is pertinent, Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst describe experiences and events, their dreams, frequency everyday or job-related language. Can
speech on familiar matters regularly encountered in which are familiar, in some detail. Certain passages
64 though hesitant. travelling in an area where the language is spoken. hopes and ambitions. Can briefly give reasons and understand the description of events, feelings and
work, school, leisure, etc. can be repetitive or imprecise.
explanations for opinions and plans. wishes in personal letters.
63

62

61

60

59

58

57

56

55
Semi operational

54

53 Can communicate in simple and routine tasks Can write a very simple professional or personal e-

A2+ 52

51
Communication is possible
when fully prepared.
requiring a simple and direct exchange of
information on familiar topics and activities.
Can catch the main point in short, clear, simple
messages and announcements.
Can relate an event, an experience, describe a
simple objective when fully prepared.
mail, for example thanking or asking someone for
something.
Can understand short, simple e-mails where the
subject is familiar and the style is direct.

50

49

48

47

46

45
 CEFR* ECSPLICITE
Heading
Levels Levels
GLOBAL Spoken interaction Listening Spoken production Writing Reading
44

43

42

41

40

39
Can understand phrases and the highest frequency
Can use a series of phrases and sentences to
Survival

38 Can handle very short social exchanges, even vocabulary related to areas of most immediate Can read very short, simple texts to find specific,

A2 37

36
Communication is limited to
isolated situations.
though they can't usually understand enough to
keep the conversation going themselves.
personal relevance (e.g. very basic personal and
family information, shopping, local area,
describe in simple terms their family and other
people, living conditions, their educational
background and their present or most recent job.
Can write only short and simple notes with specific
instructions.
predictable information in simple everyday
material.
employment).
35

34

33

32

31

30

29

28

27

26
Can understand familiar words and very basic

A1+
25 Communication is confined to Can ask and answer simple questions in areas of Can use simple phrases and sentences to describe Can write a short, simple text or postcard, for Can understand very simple sentences, for example
phrases concerning themselves, their relatives when
24 isolated words. immediate need or on very familiar topics. where they live and people they know. example sending greetings. on e-mails, directly relevant to themselves.
people speak slowly and clearly.
23

22
Breakthrough

21

20

19

18

17

16
Can interact in a simple way provided the other
Can understand isolated words and very simple Can fill in very simple forms with personal details,
15 person is prepared to repeat or rephrase things at a Can use simple words to indicate objects and Can recognise familiar words on e-mails, notices,
Communication is random. directions, timetables connected to immediate for example entering their name, nationality and
14 slower rate of speech and help them formulate places around them. posters, and forms.
concrete surroundings. address on a hotel registration form.
what they are trying to say.
13

12

11

A1 10

7
Beginner

6 Cannot understand the spoken language, except Cannot understand written texts in this language,
Communication is not
5 Can hardly exchange any information at all. for a few words that coincide with their mother Cannot speak in this language. Cannot write in this language. except for a few words that coincide with their
possible.
4 tongue. mother tongue.

1
0

*Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

- Indicative table of equivalence with the CEFR* levels -

www.ecsplicite.com