A1 to B2 explained: what learners should be able to do at each CEFR level
Questions and answers about the CEFR can-do statements, with everyday examples from the restaurant to the meeting.
The A1 to B2 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) describe what learners can do in a language, not how many vocabulary words they know. A1 means simple basic needs; B2 means independent communication at work and in everyday life. The following questions and answers translate the abstract descriptions into concrete situations.
What is the CEFR, anyway?
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages was developed by the Council of Europe and published in 2001. It divides language proficiency into six levels: A1 and A2 (basic user), B1 and B2 (independent user), C1 and C2 (proficient user). A companion volume from 2020 expanded the descriptions.
The framework is language-independent. A B1 in Danish describes the same abilities as a B1 in Spanish. Many exams, courses, and apps organize their content according to it.
What are can-do statements?
Can-do statements are sentences that formulate an ability from the learner’s perspective: “I can …”. They exist for listening, reading, speaking, writing, and interaction with others. They describe actions in situations, not grammar chapters. That makes them practical for learners because they can check themselves against their own everyday life.
What can you do at A1?
A1 is the entry level. Learners understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very simple sentences. They can introduce themselves and ask and answer simple questions about personal details if the other person speaks slowly and clearly.
- Restaurant: ask for a table, order a drink, ask for the bill
- Doctor’s appointment: give your name and say where it hurts, using pointing and single words
- Work: introduce yourself with your name and where you’re from
What does A2 add?
At A2, learners understand sentences and frequently used expressions from areas of immediate importance: family, shopping, work, immediate surroundings. They can communicate in simple, routine situations that involve a direct exchange of information.
- Restaurant: ask about ingredients, order a dish without a specific ingredient
- Doctor’s appointment: make an appointment and describe simple symptoms with time references (“for three days”)
- Work: briefly explain what you do for a living and understand simple instructions
What sets B1 apart?
B1 is considered the threshold to independence. Learners understand the main points when clear standard language is used about familiar things. They handle most situations while traveling and can talk about experiences, plans, and opinions, albeit with gaps.
- Restaurant: complain about a wrongly delivered dish and negotiate a solution
- Doctor’s appointment: describe a course of events and ask follow-up questions about treatment
- Work: give a short report in a meeting and justify an opinion
And what can you do at B2?
At B2, learners understand the main content of complex texts on concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their own field. According to the CEFR, they can communicate so spontaneously and fluently that a normal conversation with native speakers is possible without much effort on either side.
- Restaurant: make small talk with the staff, understand jokes and hints at least partially
- Doctor’s appointment: discuss treatment options and weigh pros and cons
- Work: disagree in a discussion, propose compromises, and weigh arguments
How long does it take to go from A1 to B2?
There is no serious one-size-fits-all answer. The time needed depends on the starting language, the target language, study time per week, and contact with the language outside of learning. For German speakers, Dutch is closer than Hungarian. Hour estimates from course providers are guidelines, not guarantees.
Why does LingFit stop at B2?
LingFit, a language app from ThreeFlavors LLC, offers one course with 60 chapters from A1 to B2 per language pair. There is no content for C1 and C2. That matches a common boundary: structured courses work well for the levels where basic vocabulary and core structures are built. At C1 and C2, the focus is on nuances, style, technical language, and long texts. For that, reading, conversations, classes, and media consumption are usually more decisive than practice formats in an app.
For the time in between, the app offers additional tools: videos in the feed are sorted by CEFR level, and AI packs with the word type “Specialist Words” or “Ultra Advanced” can provide technical vocabulary for a specific topic. The app does not issue a certificate or an official placement. Details are available at lingfit.app.
How do you check your own level?
Official placements are only available through recognized exams, such as DELF for French or Goethe-Zertifikate for German. For a first self-assessment, the Council of Europe offers grids with can-do statements. In practice, a simple test helps: go through the examples above and honestly check which situations you could handle without preparation.
The bottom line
The CEFR levels are most useful when you read them as a list of situations. A1 means ordering, A2 asking follow-up questions, B1 telling and negotiating, B2 discussing. If you formulate your goal that way, you know more precisely what to practice than with the vague wish to become “fluent”.