And for good reason: assessing proficiency in a foreign language was so subjective that these qualitative assessments often masked actual language skills that were more or less in line with reality. Therefore, to harmonize the assessment of foreign language proficiency based on objective and concrete criteria, the Council of Europe published the renowned "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages" (CEFR) in 2001. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of this internationally recognized document, we take a look at its usefulness and how to measure one's proficiency in a foreign language.
Why assess your language level?
Before discussing the "how," let's look at the "why"! And we could even use the plural form of this question, because there are several reasons to assess one's language level:
- The first reason (which may also seem the most obvious) is to be able to demonstrate professional language skills and clearly highlight them on your CV . Today, mastering one or more foreign languages can be a significant asset on a CV, whether for a job search, further studies, or an internship. Moreover, if you are aiming for a position requiring language proficiency, simply stating "good/adequate/excellent" will not be enough to impress a recruiter, who might reject your application if this criterion is essential for the position.
- If you wish to learn a language or continue your studies through language training or a language immersion program abroad, it is important to determine your starting level in order to define your learning objectives and then measure your progress . Without this, you risk taking unsuitable language courses and therefore dropping out due to boredom or difficulty.
- Self-assessment is never easy. By using precise criteria covering the different skills expected in mastering a language (reading comprehension, listening comprehension, writing and speaking), you will obtain a precise view of your language level for each skill , and will be able to identify the language points in which you excel or, on the contrary, which you lack.
How to assess your language level?
What is the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages?
THE Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is the most widely used tool in Europe for assessing proficiency in a foreign language. Initiated in 1991 by the Council of Europe and officially launched in 2001, the CEFR (also known as CEFR for Common European Framework of Reference for languages) is exactly what its name indicates: a frame of referencewhich not only allows us to measure a language level but also to develop teaching materials and create a common basis for the various certified language tests and exams.
The 6 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
The CEFR contains a self-assessment scale , which allows one to measure the degree of mastery of each of the major language skills, namely:
- Understanding : listening and reading,
- Speaking : taking part in a conversation and expressing oneself orally in a continuous manner,
- To write.
There are 6 distinct levels , which can be summarized as follows:
- A1 : This is what is commonly called the "Beginner" level. Communication in the language is very difficult and is limited to familiar words and common expressions.
- A2 : at this level, communication remains limited and revolves around familiar topics (talking about oneself, one's family, one's work...).
- B1 : This is the famous "intermediate" level: the person understands the gist of a conversation or text when the language is simple and familiar, and can express themselves simply on their interests.
- B2 : "upper-intermediate" level, it corresponds to a fairly advanced mastery of the language being studied. The foundations are solid, the vocabulary is expanding, and the user has a certain fluency in both written and spoken language.
- C1 : Level C1 corresponds to what could be called the "advanced level": the user is able to express themselves and exchange ideas on many subjects, even complex ones, without making too many mistakes or searching for words.
- C2 : The term "expert user" is sometimes used to describe a user with a C2 level. They are comfortable with all subjects and all formats of expression and comprehension. This is the highest level of the CEFR.
To learn more about each level, you can consult the self-assessment grid developed by the Council of Europe.
The ELAO testing platform
ELAO testing platform allows for the assessment of six foreign languages: French, German, English, Italian, Spanish, and Dutch. This fully computerized, rapid assessment (between 20 and 35 minutes) highlights up to 25 language sub-levels. ELAO is therefore a highly practical solution, particularly for businesses and recruiters.
Certify your level through a recognized language exam
Language assessment and certification should not be confused . Assessment means measuring to precisely determine one's level; certification means proving, through a test or recognized diploma, that the acquired language level corresponds to a specific level of competence. We admit, the distinction is subtle and the confusion is frequent!
If you want to quickly assess your English skills , we recommend the Cambridge Assessment English General English ” . It's free , and at the end of the test, you'll receive a CEFR-based assessment of your reading comprehension level.
Also, if you need to have your foreign language level certified, the CEFR will not be enough : you will then need to take a recognized language test or exam such as the IELTS (English), Duolingo , the Cambridge exams (English), the TestDaf (German), the DELE and the latest, the TAELE , both to test your level of Spanish.
To learn more about the different language exams, you can consult our dedicated article on this topic . You can also contact us to discuss your level and your potential plans for a language stay abroad ( immersion courses , themed stays , etc.).