← Back to homepage prototype
· Current homepage
CEFR levels explained
A practical guide to the six CEFR levels for speaking practice on Easy English Conversation.
CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is an international standard used worldwide to describe language ability from beginner to advanced. Most schools, universities, and employers recognise the six levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2.
The six levels at a glance
| Level | Band | Typical label | Speaking in brief |
|---|
| A1 | Basic user | Breakthrough / beginner | Very simple phrases; slow, rehearsed speech |
| A2 | Basic user | Elementary | Short exchanges on familiar topics |
| B1 | Independent user | Intermediate | Can handle travel, work, and study situations with some effort |
| B2 | Independent user | Upper intermediate | Can discuss a range of topics with reasonable fluency |
| C1 | Proficient user | Advanced | Clear, flexible speech on complex subjects |
| C2 | Proficient user | Mastery / near-native | Precise, natural speech even in demanding contexts |
Speaking ability by level
Summaries below focus on spoken interaction — the skill Easy English Conversation is built to practice and assess.
A1Breakthrough
Beginner — first steps in spoken English
- Can introduce yourself and ask/answer simple personal questions.
- Can use memorised phrases for everyday needs (greetings, shopping, directions).
- Speech is slow and may rely heavily on pauses and familiar words.
- Example on EEC: ordering food, saying hello, basic classroom phrases.
A2Elementary
High beginner — simple real-life conversations
- Can handle short, routine exchanges about family, work, hobbies, and daily life.
- Can describe background and immediate environment in simple terms.
- May still search for words but can usually make yourself understood.
- Example on EEC: talking about your weekend, a doctor visit, meeting a new classmate.
B1Intermediate
Threshold — independent in familiar situations
- Can deal with most situations while travelling or studying abroad.
- Can describe experiences, events, dreams, hopes, and give brief reasons.
- Can join conversations on familiar topics without preparation.
- Example on EEC: job interview basics, team meetings, explaining a problem at work.
B2Upper intermediate
Vantage — fluent enough for study and professional life
- Can interact with a degree of fluency that makes regular conversation possible.
- Can present clear arguments and explain a viewpoint on topical issues.
- Can correct mistakes without losing the flow of conversation.
- Example on EEC: presenting a project, negotiating, academic discussion.
C1Advanced
Effective operational proficiency
- Can express ideas fluently without obvious searching for expressions.
- Can use language flexibly for social, academic, and professional purposes.
- Can produce clear, well-structured speech on complex subjects.
- Example on EEC: leading a meeting, defending an opinion, professional presentations.
C2Mastery
Near-native command of spoken English
- Can take part effortlessly in any conversation or discussion.
- Can convey fine shades of meaning precisely, even in complex situations.
- Speech is natural, accurate, and appropriate to context.
- Example on EEC: high-stakes negotiations, nuanced debate, expert-level discourse.
How Easy English Conversation uses CEFR
Easy English Conversation is designed to support speaking practice from A1 to C2 through real conversations, not vocabulary drills alone.
- Choose by level — pick or create conversations suited to your learners’ stage (catalog and AI-generated scripts).
- Listen · Practice · Test — hear a dialogue, practice line by line with feedback, then test under assessment.
- Track progress — fluency, accuracy, and pronunciation scores are saved so learners and teachers can see improvement over time.
- Classroom support — teachers share level-appropriate conversations with groups and review results in progress reports.
CEFR level tagging in the app is being rolled out. This page explains the standard levels that guide that work.
Which level am I?
If you are unsure where to start, use these rough guides:
- A1 — you know only a few words and phrases.
- A2 — you can manage simple everyday conversations with help.
- B1 — you can travel, study, or work in English in familiar situations.
- B2 — you can discuss many topics comfortably and work or study in English.
- C1 — you speak fluently in professional or academic settings.
- C2 — you speak with near-native precision in almost any context.
When in doubt, start one level below your guess and move up as practice feels too easy.
Important: Easy English Conversation supports CEFR-aligned
speaking practice. It does
not issue official CEFR certificates. Formal level certification requires a recognised exam or assessment by a qualified examiner. For the full international framework, see the
Council of Europe CEFR reference.
Summary: CEFR gives learners and teachers a shared language for level — from A1 beginner to C2 mastery. Easy English Conversation helps you practice and measure speaking at each stage through conversations, scored tests, and classroom progress reports.