What is the CEFR?
Common European Framework of Reference
What is the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference)?
What is the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference)?
The CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is a scale used to measure language proficiency. The CEFR was created by the Council of Europe during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s to establish a standard way to assess all languages in Europe. The Council of Europe also wanted to make sure that there was a standard way of learning and teaching languages.
What are the levels of the CEFR?
The CEFR is a range of 6 levels, starting with the lowest level of A1, up to the highest level of C2.
A1 – Beginner (Breakthrough)
A2 – Elementary (Waystage)
B1 – Intermediate (Threshold)
B2 – Upper Intermediate (Vantage)
C1 – Advanced (Effective operational proficiency)
C2 – Proficiency (Mastery)
CEFR also defines three “plus” levels as A2+, B1+, and B2+.
What can language speakers talk about at each level of the CEFR?
A1 – everyday expressions, basic phrases, concrete needs, introductions, personal descriptions, simple interactions with other people
A2 – Basic personal and family information, shopping, getting around, routine tasks, immediate needs
B1 – Standard information about work and school environments, travel in countries where the language is spoken, topics of personal interest, personal dreams and hopes, reasons for plans or opinions
B2 – Main ideas of complex topics, technical topics within their professional field, complex interactions with native speakers, detailed conversation about a wide variety of topics, advantages and disadvantages of plans or situations
C1 – Complex topics that include longer clauses, implied meaning, abstract ideas, detailed language in a variety of environments, clear language that is organized well and is connected with cohesive devices
C2 – Practically any topic, summaries of information, clear presentations of information about any subject, fluent conversation and speech about complex situations, nuance
Where is the CEFR recognized?
Even though “Europe” is in the name, of the CEFR scale, its use now spreads to the entire world. Many countries view the CEFR scale as the most internationally-recognized language proficiency scale. It is most commonly talked about in Europe, but is used all around the world.
What is the CEFR used for?
There are many applications for the CEFR:
- to create/review language curricula
- to design teaching materials
- to establish teaching objectives
- to evaluate language qualifications in educational and professional settings
What level am I on the CEFR scale?
Some language programs and language tests are able to assess what level of English (or any other language) you have. Some of the most reputable English language tests are as follows:
TOEFL
IELTS
TOEIC
Cambridge Assessment
How can I improve my CEFR level?
There are many things you can do to improve your language proficiency in English. Here are a few of my top suggestions:
#1 Increase your input
Read and listen to English as much as possible. The more you consume English, the more your brain will start to acquire English. If you never read in English, it will be difficult to develop your vocabulary. If you never listen to native English speakers, you will never understand them.
#2 Increase your difficulty
Many language learners get stuck at their language level because they stop growing. I know one friend who has lived in the United States for 15 years, and is still at a B2 level or Reading and Listening, and a B1 level of Grammar and Pronunciation. She has a job where she speaks English all day, has English-speaking friends, and has English-speaking children. However, she keeps her English limited to the same topics. She has been at the same job for a decade, so once she learned what she needed to for her job, she stopped growing. For her, I would recommend that she finds new ways to use her English. Talk about more challenging topics in English, rather than basic conversational skills. Instead of reading news articles in her native language, read them in English.
3) Increase your instruction
One of the best ways to increase your CEFR level is to take an intensive English course. You can do this by attending in-person classes with a teacher, or you can take video courses online, like my Clear English Pronunciation course. Either way, intensive English courses are a quick way to improve your CEFR level.
Happy learning,
Andrea
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The following is a TOEFL Reading practice test to help you prepare for the Reading section of the TOEFL test.
Instructions: Read the sample passage below and then answer the questions that follow.
TOEFL Reading Practice Passage
Gorillas are ground-dwelling, predominantly herbivorous apes that inhabit the forest of central Sub-Saharan Africa. The genus Gorilla is divided into two species: the eastern gorillas and the western gorillas (both critically endangered), and either four or five subspecies. They are the largest living primates. The DNA of gorillas is highly similar to that of humans, from 95 to 99% depending on what is included, and they are the next closest living relatives to humans after the chimpanzees and bonobos.
Gorillas' natural habitats cover tropical or subtropical forest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Although their range covers a small percentage of Sub-Saharan Africa, gorillas cover a wide range of elevations. The mountain gorilla inhabits the Albertine Rift montane cloud forests of the Virunga Volcanoes, ranging in altitude from 2,200 to 4,300 metres (7,200 to 14,100 ft). Lowland gorillas live in dense forests and lowland swamps and marshes as low as sea level, with western lowland gorillas living in Central West African countries and eastern lowland gorillas living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo near its border with Rwanda.
(#1) Gorillas move around by knuckle-walking, although they sometimes walk upright for short distances, typically while carrying food or in defensive situations. (#2) A 2018 study investigating the hand posture of 77 mountain gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (8% of the population) found that knuckle walking was done only 60% of the time, and they also supported their weight on their fists, the backs of their hands/feet, and on their palms/soles (with the digits flexed). (#3) Studies of gorilla handedness have yielded varying results, with some arguing for no preference for either hand, and others right-hand dominance for the general population. (#4)
The eastern gorilla is more darkly colored than the western gorilla, with the mountain gorilla being the darkest of all. The mountain gorilla also has the thickest hair. The western lowland gorilla can be brown or grayish with a reddish forehead. In addition, gorillas that live in lowland forest are more slender and agile than the more bulky mountain gorillas. The eastern gorilla also has a longer face and broader chest than the western gorilla. Like humans, gorillas have individual fingerprints. Their eye color is dark brown, framed by a black ring around the iris. Gorilla facial structure is described as mandibular prognathism, that is, the mandible protrudes farther out than the maxilla. Adult males also have a prominent sagittal crest.
A gorilla's lifespan is normally between 35 and 40 years, although zoo gorillas may live for 50 years or more. Colo, a female western gorilla at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, was the oldest known gorilla at 60 years of age when she died on 17 January 2017.
Questions
1. According to the passage, gorillas can live in
a. a variety of altitudes.
b. several different countries in Africa.
c. thick forests.
d. lowland forests only.
2. All of the following is true about gorillas EXCEPT
a. they primarily eat smaller animals.
b. they live in a forest habitat.
c. their genetics are similar to humans.
d. their diet consists of vegetation.
3. Look at the word predominantly in paragraph 1. The word predominantly in this passage refers to
a. impulsively
b. unfortunately
c. mainly
d. lastly
4. Look at the word inhabits in paragraph 2. The word inhabits in this passage refers to
a. lives in
b. protects
c. goes
d. works
5. The author implies that
a. most gorillas prefer using their left hand over their right.
b. gorillas rarely walk on their knuckles.
c. gorillas regularly walk upright for long distances.
d. studies haven't solidly proven which hand gorillas prefer using.
6. Why does the writer mention that the eastern gorilla also has a longer face and broader chest than the western gorilla?
a. To validate the importance a broad chest in western gorillas
b. To define the meaning of "broad"
c. To highlight a physical difference between types of gorillas
d. To demonstrate that most gorillas are identical in physical build
7. Which of the following statements is true for BOTH eastern and western gorillas.
a. Both eastern and western gorrilas are brown with red foreheads.
b. Both eastern and western gorrilas have unique fingerprints.
c. Both eastern and western gorrilas have thin hair.
d. Both eastern and western gorrilas have light brown eyes.
8. In Paragraph 3, look at the four numbers (#1, #2, #3, #4) that indicate where the following sentence would be added to the passage.
Such a range of hand postures was previously thought to have been used by only orangutans.
Where would the sentence best fit?
(View all the correct answers below.)
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Answers: 1. d 2. a 3. c 4. a 5. d 6. c 7. b 8. #3
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About Andrea
Andrea Giordano is the founder of StudyWithAndrea.com and has taught more than 1,000,000 students from 180 countries. Andrea holds a Master of Education (TESOL) from Shenandoah University, and is the former Executive Director of TESOL and ESL programs at Campbellsville University. Andrea is a proven leader in online English teaching and is driven by her passion to help you speak English clearly.
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