Levels and progression

Beginner level
The student understands some words and expressions but cannot communicate in the target language.

Elementary level (level A1*)
The student understands simple sentences, instructions and descriptions used in everyday life, but only uses isolated words and expressions, in incomplete sentences, without real grammatical content.

Upper elementary level (level A1-A2*)
The student can produce certain example sentences and knows how to write them, but can hardly understand everyday language. Responds with simple turns of phrase.

Lower intermediate level (level A2*)
The student understands the language with some difficulty, except in certain, familiar situations. Can read and understand simple texts. Although the student makes frequent mistakes, self expression is possible in several sentences in a limited number of areas.

Intermediate level (level A2-B1*)
The student often restarts sentences in order to be understood and does not yet use turns of phrase. Grammar, accentuation and vocabulary sometimes have gaps. Good general understanding.

Upper intermediate level (level B1*)
The student understands everyday language. In spite of some grammar and expression mistakes, is capable of expressing general ideas with nuances. Language knowledge is sufficient, operational, to use in the professional world.

Advanced level (level B1-B2*)
The student has mastered the structure of the target language, both oral and written. The student can express meaning in various situations and can understand the language spoken by natives. The student is still recognised by the prudent use of the language, his/her expressions learned by heart or the absence of idiomatic expressions.

Very advanced level (level C1*)
The student understands almost everything, including idiomatic expressions. In spite of occasional errors, he/she is close to mother tongue level, even in complex situations.

Level close to mother tongue (level C1-C2*)
Acquired without doubt following a long stay in immersion, the student has mastered the foreign language fluently and with precision. At a level sometimes superior to that of some native speakers, with perhaps less idiomatic expressions.

*Common European Framework (CEFR) scale