Having taught in various schools internationally, I’ve encountered numerous methods for assessing students. After comparing different scales, I found myself wondering: Is the CEFR truly as accurate as everyone claims to be?
But before diving into that, let me explain these somewhat baffling terms French teachers use when assessing your level.
If you’ve been learning French for a while and have studied with different schools or teachers, you might have heard something like: “We think your level is between A2+ and B1-/+, but you’re close to a solid B1. With our new intensive course, we’ll help you reach B1+/B2-. How does that sound?”
Schools in Europe rely on the holy CEFR, or the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This system is used to describe and measure language proficiency across various languages. Here’s a brief overview:
A1 -> 100-150 hours (Beginner):
Can understand and use basic phrases, introduce themselves, and interact in simple ways. Able to read and write short, straightforward texts about personal information.
A2 -> 200-300 hours (Elementary):
Can handle simple tasks requiring basic communication. Understands and reads short, familiar texts and can write brief messages related to everyday needs.
B1 -> 300-500 hours (Intermediate):
Can manage most situations while traveling, understand main points of clear standard speech, and write simple connected texts on familiar topics.
B2 -> 500-700 hours (Upper-Intermediate):
Can interact with fluency and spontaneity, understand complex texts, and produce detailed written content on a wide range of subjects.
C1 -> 700-950 hours (Advanced):
Can understand demanding texts and conversations, express ideas fluently and spontaneously, and produce clear, detailed text on complex subjects.
C2 -> 900-1200 hours (Proficient):
Can understand virtually everything read or heard, express themselves very fluently and precisely, and write complex texts effectively.
To become perfectly fluent in French you will need to study 1200 hours which is the equivalent of 150 full 8-hour workdays with no lunch-break, no distractions and no word memory loss! Dead easy right?
After some years of teaching I discover another scale: the ACTF proficiency scale
The ACTFL Proficiency Scale is used in America and it features five main levels: Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Superior, and Distinguished. Each of the first three levels is further divided into Low, Mid, and High sublevels. These levels describe different ranges of language abilities, with each level building on the previous ones. ACTFL assessments cover proficiency from Novice to Superior, as detailed below:
CEFR or ACTFL? Which one to use?
As a French teacher, I find the ACTFL Proficiency Scale to be a more precise tool for assessing language skills compared to the CEFR. While the CEFR provides a broad framework for language proficiency, its levels can sometimes be too general, making it challenging to pinpoint a learner’s exact abilities, especially at intermediate and advanced stages.
In contrast, the ACTFL Proficiency Scale offers more nuanced distinctions within each level, thanks to its subdivisions (Low, Mid, and High). This granularity allows for a more detailed understanding of a student’s language abilities and progress. For instance, the ACTFL scale’s specific descriptions and criteria provide clearer benchmarks for what students can do at each level, helping to tailor instruction more effectively.
Moreover, the ACTFL scale’s focus on real-world communication skills aligns closely with practical language use, which is crucial for students aiming to apply their language skills in everyday contexts. This practical approach helps ensure that assessments and teaching strategies are directly relevant to real-life situations, enhancing both learning and assessment accuracy.
Anyway, learning languages doesn’t just depend on the time we can invest, our capability to understand grammar rules or remembering as many words as possible but it depends on one thing: OUR LIFE!
Learning French while living in a French-speaking country with a French-speaking job environment is quite different from learning French in a French-speaking country but working in an English environment. Having a French-speaking partner can definitely accelerate your progress in mastering the language. Similarly, being outgoing rather than introverted can also significantly impact your language learning journey. Etc, etc…
At Linguilista, we don’t believe in fitting you into a one-size-fits-all category. Our approach is always to tailor our teaching style to suit your individual life and personality.
Start learning French with us today: https://www.linguilista.com/french-courses-online/
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