Anyone about to start a language course gets stuck on the same question: what level am I? The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) splits language ability into six levels. Here is what they actually mean, beyond the labels.

A1 and A2: the basics

A1 is the level where you can introduce yourself, order in a restaurant, ask a simple question. Short sentences, present tense, concrete vocabulary.

A2 gets you through everyday situations: describing what you did yesterday, explaining your routine, handling a purchase or a booking. This is the level at which travel stops being stressful.

B1 and B2: independence

B1 is the threshold of independence. You can follow a conversation on familiar topics, write a straightforward work email, explain an opinion. Many university courses and job ads ask for at least this.

B2 is the level most often required professionally. You follow a film without subtitles, take part in a meeting, write a report. Very formal or very colloquial registers still catch you out, but you can work.

C1 and C2: command

C1 means using the language fluently even in demanding contexts: a negotiation, a technical presentation, a long and structured text. Nuance starts to come under control.

C2 is not “native speaker”: it is the level of someone who understands virtually everything and expresses themselves precisely, distinguishing fine shades of meaning even in difficult situations.

How long does each step take

The common estimate is 150-200 hours of guided study per level in the early stages, with the gaps widening as you go up. These are broad figures: what matters is frequency, exposure outside the lesson, and how far your first language sits from the target one.

The level is not the whole story

In practice your profile matters far more than the number. You can be B2 in reading and A2 in speaking, and that is entirely normal — it depends on how you studied. A well-built course starts from there, not from a label.

If you want to find out where you stand, the initial level assessment in my English and French courses is free. Get in touch and we can talk it through.