General information
The Common European Framework provides a common basis for the elaboration of language syllabuses, curriculum guidelines, examinations, textbooks, etc. across Europe. It describes in a comprehensive way what language learners have to learn to do in order to use a language for communication and what knowledge and skills they have to develop so as to be able to act effectively. The exams are offered in the following languages: German, English, French, Russian, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, Czech and Turkish. These are widely recognized by official public institutions such as universities, the Chambers of Commerce in the various countries as well as private organizations and companies.
Common reference levels
The Framework also defines levels of proficiency which allow learners’ progress to be measured at each stage of learning and on a life-long basis. These levels can be summarized in the following table:
Common Reference Levels Table
Basic need user | A1 | Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help. |
A2 | 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 his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need. | |
Independent User | B1 | 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 whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which 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 | Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. 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. | |
Proficient User | C1 | Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself 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 organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices. |
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. |
The next table presents all the offered European Language Certificates with the corresponding levels for every language.
Language | Levels |
|---|---|
German | A1; A2; A2+; B1; B2; B2 (German for Professional purposes) |
Russian | A2; B1 |
Italian | A1; A2; B1; B2 |
English | A1; A2; B1;B1 (English for Business Purposes) B2; B2 (English for Business Purposes); B2 (English for Technical Purposes) |
French | A1; A2; B1; B2 |
Spanish | A1; A2; B1 |
Dutch | A2; B1 |
Portuguese | A2; B1;B1 (Portuguese for Professional purposes) |
Czech | B1 |
Turkish | A1 |
Structure of the exams
The European Language Certificates are developed to test the students' proficiency in the four basic skills: listening, reading, speaking and writing. The difficulty, composition and duration of the test depend on the level of the test.
Results
Every candidate gets a detailed record of their marks and, if they have passed the TELC examination, a certificate. The grades are from 1 to 4 as follows: Very Good- Good-Satisfactory- Pass. Students have to obtain at least 60% of the total number of points in order to pass the exam.
Period of validity
No temporal delimitation.
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