The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is an international standard for describing language ability. Developed by the Council of Europe, it offers a shared way to explain what learners can do in a language across listening, reading, speaking, and writing. It is the framework we use at Love For Languages to distinquish between beginning language learner content and more advanced learners.

CEFR levels run from A1 (beginner) to C2 (very advanced). Rather than focusing only on grammar rules or vocabulary lists, the framework focuses on real-world communication: buying tickets, joining conversations, studying, working, and understanding media.

In this brief guide we share out thoughts and reasearch on what these language levels mean, how they compare to other language assement frameworks and give rough estimates of time expenditure for each level. 

How to use this guide:

• Read each level and choose the one that feels like “mostly me right now.”
• Then skim the level above to see what you’re building toward.
• If you’re between two levels, that’s completely normal—skills often grow unevenly (for example, reading may jump ahead of speaking).

Friendly note on numbers: you’ll see “typical vocabulary size” and “learning hours” below. These are rough ranges—not strict requirements. Vocabulary counts depend on the language and how words are measured, and learning time depends on intensity, the learner’s background, and how similar the target language is to languages you already know.

A1 - Beginner

At A1, you’re taking your very first steps in a new language. The goal here is simple: build confidence, learn the most useful everyday words, and start communicating (even if it’s with short phrases and lots of smiles). Do not focus on perfect grammar but recognition of words. 

What you can do at A1:

• Understand and use familiar everyday expressions and basic phrases
• Introduce yourself and others, and ask and answer questions about personal details
• Interact in a simple way if the other person speaks slowly and clearly and is willing to help
• Write very simple postcards and fill in basic forms with personal information
• Recognise familiar words and basic phrases on signs, posters, and catalogues

Typical vocabulary size: roughly up to 1,000 very common words and chunks (highly variable by language and how vocabulary is counted).

Example situations: ordering a coffee using simple words, greeting people, asking where something is (with gestures helping), and understanding price tags and basic signs.

Ready to start your A1 level journey in Italian, Spanish, French, German, Dutch or Portuguese? Check out our complete catalogue of A1 level stories with English translation.

A2 - Elementary

A2 is where you stop feeling like a complete beginner. You can handle simple, routine situations and talk about your life in a basic but meaningful way.

What you can do at A2:

• Understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of immediate relevance (family, shopping, local geography, work)
• Communicate in simple, routine tasks requiring a direct exchange of information
• Describe your background, immediate environment, and matters of immediate need in simple terms
• Read short, simple texts and find specific information in everyday materials
• Write short notes, messages, and simple personal letters

Typical vocabulary size: roughly 1,000–2,000 words and common expressions (very approximate).

Example situations: shopping for groceries and asking about products, making simple phone calls, describing your family and hobbies, and understanding simple instructions and announcements.

Ready to start your A1 level journey in Italian, Spanish, French, German, Dutch or Portuguese? Check out our complete catalogue of A1 level stories with English translation.

B1 - Intermediate

B1 is a big milestone: you become an independent user. You can cope with many everyday situations without needing constant help, especially in familiar contexts.

What you can do at B1:

• Understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters (work, school, leisure)
• Deal with most situations likely to arise while travelling
• Produce simple connected text on familiar topics or personal interests
• Describe experiences, events, dreams, and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations
• Understand the main points of straightforward written texts on familiar subjects
• Write personal letters describing experiences and impressions

Typical vocabulary size: roughly 2,000–3,000 words and steadily growing control of everyday grammar patterns.

Example situations: following the plot of a TV show, participating in meetings about familiar topics, writing emails to colleagues about routine matters, and handling travel issues like changed flights or hotel problems.

Ready to start your A1 level journey in Italian, Spanish, French, German, Dutch or Portuguese? Check out our complete catalogue of A1 level stories with English translation.

B2 - Upper Intermediate

At B2, you can communicate with more ease and detail—even about complex topics. Many universities and workplaces use B2 as a practical threshold for studying or working in a second language.

What you can do at B2:

• Understand the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics
• Interact with native speakers with a degree of fluency and spontaneity
• Produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects
• Explain viewpoints on topical issues, giving advantages and disadvantages
• Understand extended speech and follow complex arguments on familiar topics
• Read articles and reports about contemporary problems and understand the main arguments

Typical vocabulary size: roughly 3,000–6,000 words (very approximate), with more idioms and collocations appearing naturally through exposure.

Example situations: participating actively in discussions, writing essays that argue for or against a position, understanding most news broadcasts, and negotiating or problem-solving in professional contexts.

Ready to start your A1 level journey in Italian, Spanish, French, German, Dutch or Portuguese? Check out our complete catalogue of A1 level stories with English translation.

C1 - Advanced

C1 represents strong advanced proficiency. You can use the language flexibly and effectively for social, academic, and professional purposes—and you can usually handle nuance, tone, and style with confidence.

What you can do at C1:

• Understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts and recognise implicit meaning
• Express yourself fluently and spontaneously with minimal obvious searching for words
• Use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic, and professional purposes
• Produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects
• Understand extended speech even when it isn’t clearly structured
• Read complex literary and technical texts, appreciating distinctions of style

Typical vocabulary size: often around 6,000–8,000+ words depending on reading habits and topic area (approximate).

Example situations: delivering presentations to professional audiences, writing detailed reports and proposals, understanding implicit humour and cultural references, following academic lectures, and participating in fast-paced discussions.

Ready to start your A1 level journey in Italian, Spanish, French, German, Dutch or Portuguese? Check out our complete catalogue of A1 level stories with English translation.

C2 - Mastery

C2 is the highest CEFR level. It doesn’t mean you are “identical to a native speaker” in every possible way, but it does mean you can operate with very high precision, effectiveness, and flexibility in almost any situation.

What you can do at C2:

• Understand virtually everything heard or read with ease
• Summarise information from different sources, reconstructing arguments coherently
• Express yourself spontaneously, very fluently, and precisely
• Differentiate finer shades of meaning in complex situations
• Read virtually all forms of written language, including abstract or linguistically complex texts
• Write complex letters, reports, or articles with an effective logical structure and appropriate style

Typical vocabulary size: often 8,000+ words and continuing to grow (highly dependent on your interests and reading).

Example situations: using idiomatic expressions naturally, enjoying literature in its original form, participating confidently in high-level academic or professional discussions, and writing publication-quality articles or research papers.

At this point, the whole world of books, media, and professional communication in that language is open to you. Explore bookstores, libraries, podcasts, lectures—anything that keeps your skills sharp and your curiosity fed.

And once you’ve mastered one language to this level… maybe it’s time for a new challenge? Why not start a fresh language journey and explore our collection in another language? We know some great resources from A1 all the way to C1. 😉

Assessment and Certification

Many official examinations align with CEFR levels, offering internationally recognised certificates.

Important: score conversions between tests and CEFR levels are usually approximate. Different institutions (universities, employers, immigration programs) may set their own cut-offs, and testing organisations may update concordance tables over time. Use the ranges below as a helpful guide—and always double-check requirements for your specific goal.

How Long Does It Take to Progress?

The time needed to progress between CEFR levels varies significantly based on several factors:

• Learning intensity: Full-time study vs. a few hours a week
• Language background: Your native language and any other languages you know
• Learning environment: Immersion vs. classroom-only learning
• Personal factors: Motivation, learning style, time for practice, learning ability, and opportunities to use the language

As a general guide, many CEFR-aligned language programs and institutions use rough, cumulative estimates like these (from zero to each level):

• A1: 80-100 hours
• A2: 180-200 hours (including A1)
• B1: 350-400 hours (total from zero)
• B2: 550-650 hours (total from zero)
• C1: 750-850 hours (total from zero)
• C2: 1,000+ hours (total from zero)

Remember: these are broad estimates, not guarantees. Some learners progress faster with intense practice and lots of real-world exposure, while others need more time—especially if the target language is very different from their native language.

Having the right material for your level makes a huge difference. When texts are just challenging enough (but still enjoyable), you can build vocabulary and fluency steadily—without burning out. (And yes, Love for Languages can help with that… wink wink.)

The Love for Languages Advantage

Traditional language learning methods often force you to choose between boring textbook exercises or materials that are too difficult for your level. Love for Languages bridges this gap by giving you stories and books that are level-appropriate, plus supportive tools that help you keep reading and listening—two habits strongly associated with long-term progress.

For Beginners (A1-A2):

• Custom-written short stories designed specifically for early learners, with carefully controlled vocabulary and grammar.
• Classic literature adapted to your level: Read real books like Robinson Crusoe adapted to your level with linguistic support.
• Dual translation system: Get instant word-by-word translations when you hover or click, or translate entire paragraphs when you need more context.
• Full audio narration: Every story and book includes native-speaker audio, so you can hear authentic pronunciation while reading.
• PDF downloads: Take your learning offline with beautifully formatted PDFs for screen-free study sessions.

For Intermediate Learners (B1-B2):

• Classic literature adapted to your level: Read books like The Wizard of Oz and The Time Machine, adapted where necessary with linguistic support.
• Contextual grammar tips: Click the mascot icon to reveal grammar explanations specific to each paragraph—understanding not just what words mean, but why they’re used that way.
• Progressive difficulty: Stories that gradually introduce more complex structures as you improve, helping you grow without feeling overwhelmed.
• Audio-supported reading: Train your ear while you read, connecting written and spoken language naturally.
• Offline study materials: Download PDFs to annotate, review, and study at your own pace without screen fatigue.

For Advanced Learners (C1-C2):

• Authentic, unabridged classics: Experience The Great Gatsby, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and other masterpieces in their original form.
• Selective translation control: Use translations sparingly for the most challenging passages or cultural references.
• Literary language exposure: Encounter sophisticated vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, and stylistic devices in context.
• Offline study materials: Download PDFs to annotate, review, and study at your own pace without screen fatigue.

The Complete Learning System:

• Start with custom beginner stories that build confidence
• Progress through adapted classics that challenge without overwhelming
• Graduate to authentic literature with full linguistic support
• Always have audio to guide your pronunciation
• Access grammar insights exactly when you encounter difficult structures
• Study online or offline with downloadable PDFs
• Control your learning pace with on-demand translations at word or paragraph level

Conclusion

The CEFR gives you a clear roadmap for language learning, helping you understand where you are now and what “next level” skills actually look like. Whether you’re just starting at A1 or aiming for C2 mastery, knowing the level descriptions can help you set realistic goals and track progress without guessing.

And remember: language proficiency isn’t only grammar and vocabulary—it's what you can do with the language in real situations. Skills can develop at different speeds (you might read at B2 but speak at B1), and that’s normal.

With platforms like Love for Languages providing level-appropriate materials and supportive tools, you can focus on enjoying the journey rather than wrestling with texts that are too hard (or too boring). Wherever your current level is, celebrate your progress. Every story you read, every conversation you attempt, and every new phrase you truly understand is a step forward.