CEFR

Spanish CEFR Levels Guide

Use this page as a map from A1 to C2. Each level shows what learners can typically do, plus examples and a skills matrix you can use to plan your study.

What is CEFR?

The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) describes what learners can do with a language at different stages. It is not an exam in itself; it is a way to talk about goals and progress.

Level

Can understand and use very basic everyday expressions about familiar topics.

Level

Can understand frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance.

Level

Can deal with most situations likely to arise while travelling and can describe experiences and events.

Level

Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity and explain viewpoints on topical issues.

Level

Can express ideas fluently, use language flexibly for social, academic and professional purposes.

Level

Can understand virtually everything heard or read and summarise information from different spoken and written sources.

Quick level navigation

All CEFR levels at a glance

Each CEFR band adds new tasks: from recognising basic phrases to working and studying comfortably in Spanish.

A1 — First phrases

At A1, you can introduce yourself, say where you are from and talk about things you like. Short, rehearsed phrases are your best friends.

En A1 puedes presentarte, decir de dónde eres y hablar de cosas que te gustan. Las frases cortas y preparadas son tus mejores aliadas.

A2 — Getting around

At A2, you can survive typical travel situations: asking for directions, buying tickets and talking about your routine.

En A2 puedes sobrevivir en situaciones típicas de viaje: preguntar por direcciones, comprar billetes y hablar de tu rutina.

B1 — Telling your story

At B1, you start to tell stories about your past and your plans. You can give opinions and explain the reasons in simple language.

En B1 empiezas a contar historias sobre tu pasado y tus planes. Puedes dar opiniones y explicar razones con un lenguaje sencillo.

B2 — Joining the conversation

At B2, you can follow most everyday conversations and join in naturally, even with native speakers who do not slow down much.

En B2 puedes seguir la mayoría de las conversaciones cotidianas y participar de forma natural, incluso con hablantes nativos que no reducen mucho la velocidad.

C1 — Working in Spanish

At C1, you can study or work in Spanish, handling meetings, reports and presentations with confidence.

En C1 puedes estudiar o trabajar en español, manejando reuniones, informes y presentaciones con seguridad.

C2 — Almost native

At C2, you can switch between registers, understand jokes and wordplay, and adapt your Spanish to any audience.

En C2 puedes cambiar de registro, entender chistes y juegos de palabras y adaptar tu español a cualquier público.

Examples by level

Concrete listening and reading scenarios help you see what each level feels like in real life.

Examples for level A1

Listening examples

Listening to a short introduction where someone spells their name and says where they are from.
Following simple directions in a classroom such as “open your book” or “listen and repeat”.

Reading examples

Reading a short email from a friend about weekend plans.
Understanding basic information on a café menu.

Examples for level A2

Listening examples

Understanding a short description of someone’s daily routine.
Catching the time and place of a meeting in a simple phone message.

Reading examples

Reading a short description of a flat to rent.
Finding specific information in a train timetable.

Examples for level B1

Listening examples

Following the main ideas of a podcast episode about travel.
Understanding the main points in a short news report about local events.

Reading examples

Reading a blog post about learning Spanish and identifying the writer’s main tips.
Understanding a short story written in straightforward language.

Examples for level B2

Listening examples

Following a radio discussion where several speakers share opinions about technology.
Understanding most of a university lecture on a familiar topic.

Reading examples

Reading an opinion article about social media and recognising the author’s point of view.
Understanding a detailed description of job responsibilities in a vacancy ad.

Skills matrix

The matrix below summarises "can do" descriptors for each level and skill area. Use it as a checklist, not as a strict exam rubric.

Skill	A1	A2	B1	B2	C1	C2
Listening	Can understand very simple phrases about themselves, their family and immediate surroundings when people speak slowly and clearly.	Can understand phrases and expressions related to areas of immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography).	Can understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.	Can understand extended speech and lectures and follow complex lines of argument provided the topic is reasonably familiar.	Can understand extended speech even when it is not clearly structured and when relationships are only implied and not signalled explicitly.	Has no difficulty in understanding any kind of spoken language, whether live or broadcast.
Reading	Can understand familiar names, words and very simple sentences, for example on notices and posters or in catalogues.	Can read very short, simple texts and find specific, predictable information in everyday material.	Can understand texts that consist mainly of high frequency everyday or job-related language.	Can read articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems in which the writers adopt particular attitudes or viewpoints.	Can understand long and complex factual and literary texts, appreciating distinctions of style.	Can read with ease virtually all forms of the written language.
Spoken interaction	Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and repeats or rephrases things when necessary.	Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information.	Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken.	Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible.	Can express themselves fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions.	Can take part effortlessly in any conversation or discussion and has a good familiarity with idiomatic expressions.
Spoken production	Can use simple phrases and sentences to describe where they live and people they know.	Can use a series of phrases and sentences to describe in simple terms their family and other people, living conditions, etc.	Can connect phrases in a simple way in order to describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions.	Can present clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to their field of interest.	Can present clear, detailed descriptions of complex subjects integrating sub-themes and developing particular points of view.	Can present a clear, smoothly flowing description or argument in a style appropriate to the context.
Writing	Can write a short, simple postcard and fill in forms with personal details.	Can write short, simple notes and messages relating to matters in areas of immediate need.	Can write simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest.	Can write clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects related to their interests.	Can express themselves in clear, well-structured text, expressing points of view at some length.	Can write clear, smoothly flowing text in an appropriate style.

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Spanish CEFR Levels Guide

What is CEFR?

Quick level navigation

All CEFR levels at a glance

A1 — First phrases

A2 — Getting around

B1 — Telling your story

B2 — Joining the conversation

C1 — Working in Spanish

C2 — Almost native

Examples by level

Examples for level A1

Examples for level A2

Examples for level B1

Examples for level B2

Skills matrix

Ready to test your Spanish level?