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Levels A1–C2

German Language Courses and Exams

This is where you will find an overview of levels A1 to C2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. 

Basic User
Independent User
Proficient User
 

Basic User

A1

  • Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. 
  • Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about everyday matters, such as people and places, and formulate standard requests and invitations. 
  • Can interact in a simple way and understand familiar terms provided the other person addresses him/her directly and talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to repeat things. 

A2

  • Can communicate in routine situations requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters, such as descriptions of people, background or work conditions, daily routines, likes or dislikes. 
  • Can describe in simple terms the immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need. 
  • Can understand expressions and words related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. personal and family information, shopping, work, local environment). 

Independent User

B1

  • Has the language skills required to deal with everyday situations likely to arise at work, school or in leisure settings. 
  • Can exchange, verify and confirm information, deal with less routine situations and explain why something is problematic. 
  • Can easily provide descriptions or reports on a range of familiar topics that are of personal interest, e.g. describe their own experiences, feelings and reactions or dreams, hopes and ambitions. 
  • Can express opinions about subjects relating to everyday life using simple expressions and briefly give reasons and short explanations for opinions. 

B2

  • Can provide clear, detailed descriptions and statements about a wide range of subjects that are of personal interest, elaborate on ideas and support a viewpoint with subordinate points and relevant examples. 
  • Can explain a viewpoint on a problem giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options and build the argument logically. 
  • Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers possible without strain for either party. 
  • Can understand differently structured, longer texts provided difficult passages can be read several times.

Proficient User

C1

  • Can use language effectively and flexibly for personal, academic and professional purposes. 
  • Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. 
  • Can describe and present complex subjects clearly and in detail, include subordinate subjects and elaborate on specific points, using different means to connect ideas in a text. 
  • Can understand longer, complex texts, even if they are not within his/her own field of specialisation, provided that difficult passages can be read several times.

C2

  • Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations. Understands idiomatic and colloquial expressions and their connotations. 
  • Can produce clear, fluent, complex text in an appropriate style with a logical structure that helps readers identify key points. 
  • Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. 
  • Can understand a wide range of long, demanding texts, recognising subtle stylistic differences and implicit meaning. 

Further Information

CEFR Descriptors - Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) (coe.int)

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