Italian language proficiency levels

At Centro Italiano we use the Common European Framework of Reference for the knowledge of languages (CEFR) as a reference framework for the linguistic level of our courses, which by its transversal nature and widespread use, is now the most used reference for classifying language skills.

This reference framework distinguishes 3 macro areas of competence (“Basic”, “Independent” and “Proficient”), divided in turn into two levels each, for a total of six overall levels. Each level describes what an individual is capable of doing with regards to comprehension and production, written and oral, of the specific language being considered.

The levels are identified with the letters A, B and C, indicating increasing quality, in turn further divided by the numbers 1 and 2, again indicating increasing quality. The minimum level is therefore “A1”, while the maximum is “C2”.

A – Basic user

A1 – Breakthrough or Beginner

  • Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type.
  • Can introduce themselves and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where they live, people they know and things they have.
  • Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

A2 – Waystage or Elementary

  • Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment).
  • Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.
  • Can describe in simple terms aspects of their background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.

B – Independent user

B1 – Threshold or Intermediate

  • Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
  • Can deal with most situations likely to arise while travelling in an area where the language is spoken.
  • Can produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest.
  • Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

B2 – Vantage or Upper Intermediate

  • Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialization.
  • Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party.
  • Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

C – Proficient user

C1 – Advanced level

  • Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer clauses, and recognize implicit meaning.
  • Can express ideas fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions.
  • Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes.
  • Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

C2 – Master of the language in complex situations

  • Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read.
  • Can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation.
  • Can express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations.