CEF = The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

The CEFR for languages provides a benchmark for the acquisition of language skills. It has been superimposed on the various European education systems in order to make their different language certificates internationally comparable. The CEFR thus not only specifies the levels of competence at the various stages of language acquisition, but also the criteria for assessing them.

The Akademie-Eureka is based on the specified competence levels of the CEFR and its level system A1 to C2.

These are summarised and described below:

A: Elementary language use

A1: Learners can communicate in a simple way, introduce themselves and others and understand and use very basic everyday phrases.

A2: Learners can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a basic level of fluency and can communicate in a simple way about familiar and routine matters.

B: Independent use of language

B1: Learners are able to express themselves in a simple and coherent way on familiar subjects and areas of personal interest and to describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions, but also to express themselves briefly and concisely on plans and views.

B2: Learners can communicate spontaneously and fluently, expressing themselves clearly and in detail on a wide range of subjects, explaining a viewpoint and giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

C: Competent use of language

C1: Learners are able to use the language effectively and flexibly in social and professional life or in training and study, to express themselves clearly, in a structured and detailed manner on complex subjects, making appropriate use of various means of linking text.

C2: Learners can easily summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and explanations in a coherent presentation and making finer shades of meaning clear in more complex situations.

With the help of these criteria, individual language competence can be made comprehensible and learners acquire an internationally recognised qualification certificate.

Source: Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: learning, teaching, assessment. Berlin, Munich 2001.