




Each level is accompanied by "Can Do" statements describing linguistic abilities which form part of long term project led by the Association of Language Testers in Europe
Council of Europe |
Hyland Language Centre |
OVERALL GENERAL ABILITY |
![]() University of Cambridge |
|---|---|---|---|
| C2 Mastery |
Proficiency 2 | Can understand
with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information
from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and
accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously,
very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning
even in more complex situations. |
CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English) |
| Proficiency 1 | |||
| C1 Effective Operational Proficiency |
CAE | Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer
texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently
and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can
use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional
purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex
subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors
and cohesive devices. |
CAE (Certificate in Advanced English) |
| Advanced | |||
| B2 Vantage |
Upper Intermediate 2 | Can understand
the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics,
including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can
interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular
interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either
party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and
explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages
of various options. |
FCE (First Certificate in English) |
| Upper Intermediate 1 | |||
| B1 Threshold |
Intermediate 2 | Can understand the main points of clear standard
input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure,
etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling
in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected
text on topics, which are familiar, or of personal interest. Can describe
experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give
reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. |
|
| Intermediate 1 | PET (Preliminary English Test) |
||
| A2 Waystage |
Pre Intermediate | Can understand sentences
and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance
(e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography,
employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a
simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.
Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate
environment and matters in areas of immediate need. |
|
| A1 Break-through |
Elementary | Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions
and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete
type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions
about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows
and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other
person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help. |
FLYERS (Young Learners) |
| Beginners |