CEFR Basic Level – What Is It And How To Improve It?

When you take a test of a particular language, you are often given a score or a level like “Beginner”, “Intermediate”, “Advanced”, etc. These scores are meant to assign a particular level to your language ability. There are many different languages spoken all around the world and many of them are required to learn for educational or employment purposes. Here comes the CEFR which gives a standard score based on your language proficiency. CEFR – Common European Framework of Reference for Languages – is an international standard to check your ability for a particular language. It was initially designed for all European languages but due to its effectiveness, it has now become a standard framework throughout the world to check the proficiency of other languages too. What Is CEFR Basic Level? Among the six levels of CEFR (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2), A1 and A2 are referred to as the Basic Level. You can easily devise your language learning strategy for around 40 different languages. These levels are assigned according to the speaking, reading, writing, and listening ability of a person. CEFR Basic Level is further subdivided into two categories: A1: Beginner At this level, a learner can understand very basic words or daily expressions. They can introduce themselves, tell personal details, and also ask questions. A learner can communicate with others or understand them if they are talking slowly or clearly. A2: Elementary At this level, a learner can understand and talk about frequently used words or sentences. They can communicate more precisely about their routines, involving direct exchange of information on various familiar topics. Why Is It Important? The Basic Level of CEFR matters a lot as it lays the foundation for further learning. It helps you in: Understanding the basic words that are used in everyday tasks or at workplaces, markets, restaurants, bus stations, etc. This makes you feel more comfortable reading sign boards or using the words in real-life situations. Setting realistic goals to achieve high levels like “Independent” and “Proficient” while keeping you motivated. Improving your communication while meeting with friends, asking for locations, introducing yourself, or discussing a particular situation. Keep in mind that the Basic Level gives you a solid foundation to excel, but the results may vary from individual to individual. Why Is It Required? CEFR is usually required for the following purposes:

• Employment
• School admissions
• University course enrolment

Besides those academic and employment requirements, some individuals also opt for CEFR to self-assess their language ability. This helps them improve the certain aspects they are weak at and work on them to meet their target language requirements. How To Improve It? Sitting an exam requires a lot of hard work and if your goal is to achieve a particular CEFR level, you must put in a lot of effort. There are a few ways by which you can surely improve your language skills: Practice Makes Perfect Practicing the language you want to master is extremely crucial. Even if your goal is to achieve the Basic Level, you must make it part of your routine to practice a language daily. Take Advantage Of Language Learning Apps Everyone owns a smartphone now. If you search for language learning apps, you will find countless apps to help you learn and practice a particular language. You may benefit from it and learn the vocabulary, common words/phrases and sentences that are spoken in everyday life. Improve Yourself By Watching Videos This not only helps in improving your listening capabilities but also makes you understand the exact pronunciations, correct usage in different scenarios and infer the meaning behind various words or phrases. Find A Language Buddy It may sound ridiculous to you, but yes interacting with a native speaker definitely helps a lot. So if it is possible, find a partner with whom you can exchange language practice. That partner can be your classmate, a friend, or a language-learning app that connects you with native speakers. Final Thoughts CEFR is not a requirement if you want to learn it for a casual setup or you simply enjoy learning languages. It is required mainly for academic and employment purposes. CEFR Basic Level sets the ground for you to achieve the higher levels. Take the small steps, keep practicing and push your language learning ability to the next level.