The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
Understanding English Proficiency and Language Levels
The Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR) was designed to offer a fine-tuned academic structure and curriculum guidelines to assess students in their language proficiency.
How many hours per level?
It may take about 250 hours or more of conversation in order to move from one language level to the next.
The CEFR is of limited use when assessing corporate language training. The broad bands mean that the time needed to move up a level is too great to be assessed on anything less than a 12 month basis (100 hours to progress from an A1 to and A2, up to 400 hours to progress from a C1 to a C2)
A0- Absolutely No Knowledge of the Language
1 Month Program
In this moment you don’t know much of the target language. The only way to start A1 level is through learning the basic concepts of the language. This means learning simple phrases or a small text introducing yourself.
A1-Low Beginner
6 Month Program
You’ll need between 100-150 hoursMastering this level means you must be able to talk a little bit about yourself in the target language. You’ll be able to tell people your name, age, likes and dislikes using simple sentences.
A2-Advanced Beginner
8 Month Program
At this level you will be able to communicate at manual jobs or in daily interactions. You’ll be able to talk about yourself with more depth using more complex sentences. You’ll need 180 to 200 hours to get there.
B1-Low Intermediate
10 Month Program
You’ll be able to communicate essential points and ideas in familiar contexts when you achieve this level. This level takes approximately 350 to 400 hours. B1
B2-Advanced Intermediate
10 Month Program
At this level and the level above you’ll be able to work in any context. You’ll have a fluency at this level and have deeper conversation. You may need around 500 to 600 hours to get there. B2
C1-Lower Advanced Native Speaker
10 Month Program
At this level you’ll be able to speak more fluently and with a lot of flexibility about many different topics and contexts.This will take you about 700 to 800 hour. C1