Learning a foreign language
Language levels
Language levels A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2: what do these mean?
The 6 language levels determine your knowledge and command of a foreign language.
It’s a European reference framework that’s very useful for easily communicating your level or choosing courses or teaching adapted to your skills in a given language.
What is the language level?
Language level is a classification used to assess your level of knowledge and mastery of a foreign language. This classification was established by the CEFR (European Framework of Reference for Languages).
It’s an essential tool that contributes greatly to the design and innovation of foreign language teaching programs.
The language levels innovate with a more communicative approach based on what you can do in a given foreign language.
They are based on prior learning, and describe your mastery of a foreign language by type of skill and sub-skill.
The levels are defined progressively from A1 to C2, from the most basic knowledge to a fine mastery of a foreign language.
The language level system works for all languages, whether you’re learning Dutch, French or English,

The advantages of language levels
Levels of foreign language knowledge are very useful and offer many benefits:
- A single reference for all foreign languages.
- Communicate your knowledge of a foreign language in a uniform, standardized way.
- Propose an easy measurement that can be carried out with rapid, easy-to-implement tests.
- A very practical measure based on skills, not theory.
- An essential tool for determining your starting point in learning a foreign language and finding the right language course for you.

What are the 3 general levels?
Elementary, independent and experienced levels
The 6 levels of knowledge are grouped into 3 general levels or tiers of autonomy. They mark an important step in the progression of foreign language skills.
- Elementary user: A1 and A2
- Independent user : B1 and B2
- Experienced user: C1 and C2

What are the 6 language levels?
Elementary, independent and experienced levels
The 6-level foreign language scale: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2.
Whatever the language – English, Dutch, German, French, Italian, etc. – your knowledge of any language can be measured and a level assigned.
There are 6 language levels, corresponding to 3 main levels of foreign language proficiency.
We could add a 7th level, A0 or pre-A1, which corresponds to having absolutely no knowledge of a foreign language.

Language level A0 or pre-A1
What is the A0 language level?
Knowledge level A0 or pre-A1 is the most basic level I can have in a foreign language.
It corresponds to having no knowledge of the language being studied.
We’re all A0s in most of the world’s languages.
A1 language level
What is the A1 language level?
Level A1 corresponds to an elementary user at the introductory or discovery level. Level A1 skills are :
- I can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very simple statements aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type.
- I can introduce myself and others
- I can ask and answer questions about a person.
- I can communicate simply if the other person speaks slowly and clearly and is cooperative.
When I am at level A1, it means that I can :
- introduce myself and use basic greetings ;
- talk about people I know;
- simply describe my home and the country where I live;
- understand and complete a short, simple online form.
How do I know if my level is A1?
Nothing could be simpler. Take our online language test and determine your level in just a few minutes.
A2 language level
What is the A2 language level?
Level A2 corresponds to an elementary user at intermediate or everyday level. Level A2 skills are :
- I can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, work).
- I can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.
- I can describe in simple terms my background, my immediate environment and topics that correspond to my immediate needs.
When I am at level A2, it means that I can :
- talk about my daily activities;
- order an appointment explain the reasons ;
- ask for and understand simple directions to get from one place to another;
- understanding a tourist brochure ;
- describe the weather and suggest activities;
- request services, such as telephone or computer repairs;
- about my last vacation;
- compare different objects.
How do I know if my level is A2?
Quick and easy.
Take our online language test and find out your level in just a few minutes.
Language level B1
What is language level B1?
Level B1 corresponds to an independent user at threshold level. Level B1 skills are :
- I can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
- I can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in a region where the target language is spoken.
- I can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest.
- I can recount an event, experience or dream, describe a hope or goal and briefly give reasons or explanations for a project or idea.
When I am at level B1, it means that I can :
- interact with my friends on social networks ;
- follow and take part in a meeting ;
- understand book or film reviews ;
- organize private and professional social events;
- get by in most travel situations (hotel, restaurant, museum, etc.);
- understand the main ideas of a newspaper or online magazine article;
- reorganize my route, e.g. flights, schedules and appointments when I’m running late ;
- discuss my plans for the future, such as where I want to live and what I’ll be doing in the next few years.
How do I know if my level is B1?
Quick and easy.
Take our online language test and find out your level in just a few minutes.
B2 language level
What is language level B2?
Level B2 corresponds to an advanced or independent user.
Level B2 skills are :
- I can understand the essential content of concrete and abstract topics in complex text, including technical discussions in my field of specialization.
- I can communicate spontaneously and fluently with a native speaker
- I can express myself clearly and in detail on a wide range of subjects, giving an opinion on a topical issue and explaining the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
When I am at level B2, it means that I can :
- understand conversations in a noisy environment ;
- exchange information on social and environmental issues, such as retirement and pollution;
- identify references to the past, present and future in live broadcasts;
- write a detailed newspaper or magazine article about an event, project or research initiative;
- defend my point of view in a debate on contemporary issues;
- understand the acronyms and abbreviations used in social networking forums ;
- understand podcasts on cultural, social and political topics;
- summarise a report describing policy changes.
How do I know if my level is B2?
Quick and easy.
Take our online language test and find out your level in just a few minutes.
C1 language level
What is the C1 language level?
Level C1 corresponds to an experienced user at autonomous level. Level C1 skills are :
- I can understand long, demanding texts and grasp implicit meanings.
- I express myself spontaneously and fluently without having to search too hard for words.
- I use the language effectively and flexibly in social, professional and academic life.
- I can express myself on complex subjects in a clear, well-structured way and control the linguistic tools of organization, articulation and cohesion of discourse.
When I’m at C1 level, it means I can :
- express myself without difficulty in social and professional situations, giving my opinion on a variety of complex subjects;
- understand television programs, films, podcasts, and idiomatic and colloquial expressions used ;
- understand reports, articles, long and complex literary texts and identify fine points of detail, attitudes, and opinions;
- write essays, reports and letters on complex subjects, and express myself in a clear, detailed and structured way.
How do I know if my level is B2?
Quick and easy.
Take our online language test and find out your level in just a few minutes.
C2 language level
What is C2 language level?
Level C2 corresponds to an experienced user at mastery level. Level C2 skills are :
- I can effortlessly understand almost anything I hear or read.
- I can reconstruct facts and arguments from a variety of written and spoken sources, summarizing them coherently.
- I can express myself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, and I can convey fine nuances of meaning on complex subjects.
How do I know if my level is C2?
Quick and easy.
Take our online language test and find out your level in just a few minutes.
Test my knowledge of a foreign language
How do I test my language skills?
It’s very easy to determine your level of foreign language knowledge and define whether you are A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 or C2. There are 2 methods:
- Method 1: Self-assessment.
The competency criteria are very simple to understand.
By reading them, you’ll probably be able to determine your level very easily. - Method 2: Level test. In 10 to 15 minutes, you’ll go through a few dozen questions that will allow us to measure your level.
CLL offers an online test which is very quick to complete, and enables you to define the level of course you need to start with to progress in the foreign language of your choice.
Test my Dutch
Want to know if you are A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 or C2.
in Dutch?
Use this free Dutch level test, which only takes a few minutes.
Test my English
Want to know if you are A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 or C2.
in English?
Use this free English level test, which only takes a few minutes.
Test my French
Want to know if you are A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 or C2.
in French?
Use this free French level test that only takes a few minutes.