The CEFR

The CEFR is a framework, published by the Council of Europe
in 2001, which describes language learners’ ability in terms of
speaking, reading, listening and writing at six reference levels.

Levels

C2 - Mastery
C1 - Effective Operational Proficiency
B2 - Vantage
B1 - Threshold
A2 - Waystage
A1 - Breakthrough

Throughout the CEFR book the emphasis is on the readers and
their own contexts. The language practitioner is told that the
CEFR is about ‘raising questions, not answering them’, and one of the key aims of the CEFR book is stated as being to encourage the reader to reflect on these questions and provide
answers which are relevant for their contexts and their learners.

The CEFR is the result of developments in language education
that date back to the 1970s and beyond, and its publication in
2001 was the direct outcome of several discussions, meetings
and consultation processes which had taken place over the
previous 10 years.

The CEFR has become very important in the framing of language policy and the design of curricula and syllabuses. In practice, the CEFR can provide a straightforward tool for enhancing teaching and learning, but many teachers and other language professionals find the document difficult to use without further guidance.

Approaches

The communicative approach

A plurilingual approach

1. Adapt the CEFR to fit your context.
2. Focus on the outcomes of learning.
3. Focus on purposeful communication.
4. Focus on the development of good language learning skills.