The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment, or CEFR, is a guideline used to describe achievements of learners of foreign languages across Europe. It was put together by the Council of Europe as the main part of the project "Language Learning for European Citizenship" between 1989 and 1996. Its main aim is to provide a method of assessing and teaching which applies to all languages in Europe. In November 2001 a European Union Council Resolution recommended using the CEFR to set up systems of validation of language ability. The six reference levels (see below) are becoming widely accepted as the standard for grading an individual's language proficiency. Nonetheless, existing examination boards have retained their own naming conventions, e.g. "Intermediate", which are, arguably, easier for them, and their students, to remember. Image File history File links European_flag. ... World map showing the location of Europe. ... Anthem Ode to Joy (orchestral)  ten founding members joined subsequently observer at the Parliamentary Assembly observer at the Committee of Ministers  official candidate Seat Strasbourg, France Membership 47 European states 6 observers (Council) 3 observers (Assembly) Leaders  -  Secretary General  Terry Davis  -  Commissioner for Human Rights   Establishment  -  Treaty of London May... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

• UNIcert (for different languages of both European and non-European countries), which is used in several European countries, is a university-language-education standard based on the CEF.

The UNIcert certificate system was established to offer an international and accredited language education for universities. ...

Development

In 1991 the Swiss Federal Authorities held an Intergovernmental Symposium in Rüschlikon, Switzerland, on "Transparency and Coherence in Language Learning in Europe: Objectives, Evaluation, Certification". This symposium found that a Common European Framework for languages was needed to improve the recognition of language qualifications and help teachers co-operate, eventually leading to improved communication and cooperation generally in Europe. 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Swiss Federal Council (German: , French: , Italian: , Romansh: ) is the seven-member executive council which constitutes the government as well as the head of state of Switzerland. ... Rüschlikon is a municipality on the west shore of Lake Zurich, in the district of Horgen. ...

As a result of the symposium, the Swiss National Science Foundation set up a project to develop levels of proficiency, to lead on to the creation of a "European Language Portfolio" - certification in language ability which can be used across Europe. The Swiss National Science Foundation is a science research support organization mandated by the Swiss Federal Government. ...

Levels

The Common European Framework divides learners into three broad divisions which can be divided into six levels:

A Basic User

A1 Breakthrough

A2 Waystage

B Independent User

B1 Threshold

B2 Vantage

C Proficient User

C1 Effective Operational Proficiency

C2 Mastery

The CEFR describes what a learner is supposed to be able to do in reading, listening, speaking and writing at each level, in detail, for example this descriptor for C2:

"Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations."

These descriptors can apply to any of the languages spoken in Europe, and there are translations in many languages.

Use in language testing

The ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe) "Can Do" project developed a simplified set of 400+ descriptors for language examinations which relate to the Common Reference Levels. These descriptors are in the form of "can-do statements", each saying more simply what a learner can do at every level. There are four sections: general, social/ tourist, work and study. The ALTE project also gave its own names to the CEF levels: "Breakthrough level" - "Level 5". The Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) is an association of language exam providers. ...

The ALTE was founded by the University of Cambridge in conjunction with the University of Salamanca so the first exams to be related to their "Can-Do" statements were the Cambridge EFL exams. However, today many more examining boards link their exams to the system. Below is a table of some examinations as an example. The University of Cambridge (often Cambridge University), located in Cambridge, England, is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world and has a reputation as one of the worlds most prestigious universities. ... The University of Salamanca (Spanish Universidad de Salamanca), located in the town of Salamanca, west-northwest of Madrid, is the second oldest university in Spain (the first one is the university of Palencia, now disappeared), and one of the oldest in Europe. ... Cambridge Assessment Logo The University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate or UCLES Group is a department of the University of Cambridge in England. ...

Goethe in der Campagna The Goethe-Institut (GI) is a German non-profit organisation whose mission is to promote German language and culture outside of the German-speaking countries. ... The Alliance française logo The Alliance française is a non-profit organisation whose mission is to promote French language and culture outside France. ... ESOL logo The University of Cambridge ESOL examinations are examinations in English language ability for non-native speakers of English. ... The UNIcert certificate system was established to offer an international and accredited language education for universities. ... The Certificate of Proficiency in English or CPE (as it is usually referred to) is the most advanced general English exam provided by the University of Cambridge. ... The Certificate in Advanced English or CAE is the advanced general English exam provided by the University of Cambridge. ... The First Certificate in English (FCE) is one of the exams available in the ESOL examinations. ... The Preliminary English Test (PET) is an international examination sanctioning a certain level of mastery of the English language. ...

See also

• European Day of Languages - 26 September
• ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines
• Canadian language benchmarks
• English as an additional language
• English as a Foreign Language
• University of Cambridge ESOL examination
• Language education
• ILR or Foreign Service Level language ability measures

European Year of Languages 2001 and European Day of Languages logo Chameleon, European Year of Languages 2001 and European Day of Languages logo September 26 was proclaimed European Day of Languages by the Council of Europe, with the support of European Union, on December 6, 2001, at the end of... September 26 is the 269th day of the year (270th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines were created by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages in order to provide a means of assessing the proficiency of a foreign language speaker. ... The Canadian Language Benchmarks are a 12-point scale of task-based language proficiency descriptors used to guide the teaching and assessment of ESL learners in Canada. ... It has been suggested that Teaching English as a Second Language be merged into this article or section. ... TEFL – Teaching English as a Foreign Language – is an industry catering for students studying English in non-English speaking countries (see EFL). ... ESOL logo The University of Cambridge ESOL examinations are examinations in English language ability for non-native speakers of English. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with second language acquisition. ... The Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) scale is a set of descriptions of abilities to communicate in a language. ...

External links

• Council of Europe: Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
• Association of Language Testers in Europe
• Swiss National Science Foundation