CEFR levels A1 to C2 explained for parents

If you have looked at a language course or exam, you have probably met the letters and numbers: A1, B2, C1. They come from the Common European Framework of Reference, a scheme for describing skill in any language, usually called the CEFR. The scale is widely used, but the labels can be confusing if nobody explains them. This guide puts them in plain Australian English.

What is the CEFR?

According to a Cambridge Assessment English presentation, the CEFR is a framework that describes language ability in a consistent, standard way, regardless of which language it is or where it is taught (Cambridge Assessment English). It was designed to make language education more transparent. It is used by curriculum designers, teachers, exam boards, publishers and learners.

It describes ability at six reference levels in three bands. The bands are Basic User (A1 and A2), Independent User (B1 and B2) and Proficient User (C1 and C2). Cambridge English presents it as a ladder of six steps, with A1 at the entry point and C2 at the top (Cambridge English).

What does each level mean?

The descriptions below are our paraphrase of the global scale as that Cambridge presentation reproduces it. The scale itself is the Council of Europe's. We tried to open the Council of Europe's own level-description pages, but they were not reachable when we checked, so we attribute only what the Cambridge material states and suggest you read the Council's pages yourself.

Two things stand out. First, the levels describe what a person can do, not what they know about grammar. Second, A1 is a real starting point: a person at A1 can already do useful things, such as introduce themselves.

Why do the three bands matter?

The six levels are grouped into Basic, Independent and Proficient users, and the grouping is a handy shortcut. Basic means a learner can manage simple, familiar exchanges with support. Independent means they can cope on their own in most everyday situations and follow the main points of what they hear and read. Proficient means they use the language flexibly and precisely, even on demanding topics. For a family, "Independent" is often the point at which a learner can start enjoying real material, such as a film or a book, rather than only exercises. That is our reading of the descriptors, not a claim from the framework, and the experience differs from person to person.

What are the levels useful for?

• Setting goals. "Reach A2 this year" is clearer than "get better".
• Choosing a course. Many language courses, including ours, are organised in these six steps.
• Seeing progress. Moving from A1 to A2 means a learner can handle more everyday situations, which a family can notice.
• Comparing roughly across languages. The same scale is used for French, Japanese and others, though we would not assume a level in one language takes the same effort as in another.

What do the levels not tell you?

• How long it will take. We looked for a primary source for hours per level and could not read one, so we will not quote a number. Time depends on the learner, the language and how much practice they get.
• A promise about a school result. A level on a scale is not a mark or a rank.
• Fine detail. Real learners are uneven: someone may listen at B1 but write at A2.

How do the levels relate to NSW school courses?

NSW's senior languages courses are separate syllabuses with their own names. The NSW Government lists Stage 6 Beginners courses for languages such as Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese and Korean, plus Greek and Spanish (Beginners), and a much longer list of Continuers languages (Continuers). NSW says Beginners courses let students build linguistic and intercultural understanding, alongside everyday communication skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing.

There is no published one-to-one table between those course names and CEFR letters that we could confirm, and we do not claim one. If you see a course or app saying "A2 is like Beginners", read it as a loose guide. Our guide to languages in NSW schools explains the course types.

How can a parent use this?

Pick the level that matches where your child is now, not where you wish they were. If they have done a year of school French, they might be somewhere in A1 to A2. Look for a course that lets them start at the right place and move on when ready. And look at the skills: can they say hello, ask a question, follow a short story?

Vocabulary is a big part of moving up. Our article on vocabulary size shows why the answer depends on your goal.

From scales to a course

XLingo is organised in these same six steps, A1 to C2, across eleven languages. You can see the price and the free trial before you begin.