| To help partners to describe
the levels of proficiency required by existing
standards, tests and examinations and in order to
facilitate comparisons between different systems
of qualifications the Council of Europe has
developed a European Framework with common
reference levels.
The six levels are an interpretation
of the classic division into basic, intermediate
and advanced. The scheme proposed in the "Common
European Framework of Reference: Learning,
Teaching, Assessment" adopts a "Hypertext"
branching principle, starting from an initial
division into three
broad levels:
Basic User: A1 and A2
Independent User: B1 and B2
Proficient User: C1 and C2
Below is presented a more
detailed overview in the form of a
Self-Assessment Grid showing major categories of
language use at each of the six levels.
Proficient
User |
Levels |
Official German
Government
Certificates |
American Certificates |
|
| C2 |
|
|
Can understand with
ease virtually everything heard or read.
Can summarize 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. |
|
C1 |
New:
DSD-C1 |
~AP |
Can understand a wide
range of demanding, longer texts, and
recognize 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 organizational patterns, connectors
and cohesive devices. |
Independent
User |
B2 |
|
|
Can understand the
main ideas of complex text on both
concrete and abstract topics, including
technical discussions in his/her field
of specialization. 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. |
|
B1 |
New:
DSD-B1
(ZDP-A discontinued
2008) |
~AATG-4 |
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 traveling 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. |
Basic
User |
A2 |
New:
DSD-A2 |
~AATG-2/3 |
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 |
|
|
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. |
|
European Framework for Foreign Languages
/ German
