LEVELS/CEFR
CEFR is European system of preferences for learning of languages, issued by Council of Europe. This internationally acknowledged system describes knowledge of languages on levels from A1, for beginners, to C2 for those who acquired the language. To these levels are mostly adapted different internationally acknowledged tests of language (for example Cambridge tests, IELTS, BEC…).
These levels (and adapted certificates) are represented in the system of six levels of knowledge. Introducing course with the label Ea is not included in this scale of six levels.
European Standard CEF Level: Ea
Course: BEGINNER ENGLISH
You have little or you do not have at all knowledge of English language. Maybe you recognize some frequent words like, for example, salutations, but you do not know at all grammar structures.
European Standard CEF Level: A1
Course: ELEMENTARY ENGLISH
You can talk about interests and everyday activities using basic grammar structures. You understand simple messages, instructions and guide.
European Standard CEF Level: A2
Course: PRE-INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
You can express yourself orally and in written form about familiar situations. You gained certainty in grammar structures but your vocabulary is still limited.
European Standard CEF Level: B1
Course: INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
You talk with ease about everyday matters and situations but the style of expression and phraseology are limited. You read fluently and with no difficulties you write texts about familiar topics.
European Standard CEF Level: B2
Course: UPPER-INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
You grammar competence is on high level. You understand and can actively take part in most of the situations, although you can make mistakes.
European Standard CEF Level: C1
Course: ADVANCED LEVEL
You efficiently use English in oral and written form. Mistakes are possible in complex phraseology or idiomatic expression.
European Standard CEF Level: C2
Course: Proficiency
You have no problems in oral communication, no matter of speed of exposure or accent of speaker. You write complex texts of professional or literary nature with ease.
In this way it is made possible for all those who deal with learning of language or testing (to teachers, examiners, professors, and so on) to see levels of different qualifications. This also, in simple way, provides to those who employ new workers insight in cognition of language and relation of knowledge of new worker to maternal knowledge of surroundings.
Hours of learning
It is not possible to give categorical answer to the question about number of hours of learning that is needed for passing certain level of test, because that number varies depending on several factors like: initial knowledge of the candidate, intensity of lessons, predisposition and age of the candidate, as well as time spent in learning apart from one during lessons. However next hours of learning are accepted as average ones:
A2 level – about 180-200 hours of learning
B1 level – about 350-400 hours of learning
B2 level – about 500-600 hours of learning
C1 level – about 700-800 hours of learning
C2 level – about 1000-1200 hours of learning
