The levels in learning Spanish language are typically divided into beginner (A1), intermediate (A2 and B1), advanced (B2), and proficient (C1 and C2) levels based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
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The levels in learning Spanish language are typically divided into beginner (A1), intermediate (A2 and B1), advanced (B2), and proficient (C1 and C2) levels based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Spanish is one of the six official languages of the United Nations and the second most spoken language in the world after Mandarin Chinese. So it’s no wonder that it is widely studied across the globe. Knowing the levels of Spanish proficiency is essential for both learners and educators who want to plan their learning process, set goals, and measure progress.
According to CEFR, the breakdown of Spanish language proficiency levels is as follows:
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A1 (Beginner): Learners can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases for concrete purposes. They can introduce themselves and others and ask and answer questions about personal details like where they live, people they know, and things they have.
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A2 (Elementary): Learners have enough knowledge of Spanish to understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of immediate relevance like basic personal and family information, shopping, and local geography. They can communicate in simple and routine tasks like describing their background, daily routines, and likes and dislikes.
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B1 (Intermediate): At this level, learners can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. They can deal with most situations likely to arise while traveling in an area where the language is spoken. They can produce simple connected texts on topics that are familiar or of personal interest and describe experiences, events, dreams, hopes, and ambitions.
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B2 (Upper-Intermediate): At this level, learners can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialization. They can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. They 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.
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C1 (Advanced): Learners at this level can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning. They can express ideas fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. They can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic, and professional purposes and produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors, and cohesive devices.
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C2 (Proficient): At the highest level, learners can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. They can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a cohesive presentation. They can express themselves spontaneously, very fluently, and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning, even in the most complex situations.
As for the importance and benefits of learning Spanish, basketball superstar Kobe Bryant once said, “If you want to be a global brand, you must speak Spanish.” The language can open up opportunities, enhance cultural understanding, and provide an edge in global business and travel.
Here is a table summarizing the CEFR levels:
Level | Description |
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A1 (Beginner) | Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce themselves and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where they live, people they know and things they have. |
A2 (Elementary) | 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. |
B1 (Intermediate) | Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered at 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 that are familiar or of personal interest. |
B2 (Upper-Intermediate) | Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialization. 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. |
C1 (Advanced) | Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning. Can express themselves 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 organizational patterns, connectors, and cohesive devices. |
C2 (Proficient) | 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 themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations. |
In conclusion, knowing the levels in learning Spanish is crucial for learners and educators alike. It helps learners to set specific goals and track their progress while helping educators to plan their teaching strategies and assess the learning outcomes. And as the world is becoming more interconnected, learning Spanish can open up new horizons, cultural experiences, and business opportunities. As Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes famously said, “To be born with a gift of writing… is comparable to being born with a gift of second sight or with a third ear.”
See the answer to “What are the levels in learning Spanish language?” in this video
This video provides a Spanish level test based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which evaluates language proficiency on six levels ranging from A1 to C2. The test includes questions on various linguistic aspects such as grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension, with examples given at different levels to help viewers assess their proficiency. While the test is just for fun and provides a general idea of the viewer’s Spanish level, the video promotes the Spanish Fluency Club program as a way to improve Spanish skills and invites viewers to subscribe to the channel for future Spanish language lessons.
Other approaches of answering your query
There are six levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2; A1 being a total beginner and C2 a proficient user who can speak the language almost at a native level. The relevant language institutions of each language then make themselves a guideline for the proposed contents at each level.
The Spanish levels are determined with the same nomenclature as the CEFR English levels and we explain what each one consists of. Spanish levels are determined by: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. In the following guide we will explain the knowledge and skills that a student acquires in the Spanish courses to reach each one of them.
Language Levels at Habla Ya Spanish Schools
Habla Ya’s Language Levels CEF / Cervantes DELE Student Profile Average Duration Survival I A1 Elementary 60 hours – 3 weeks Survival II A2 Beginner 60 hours – 3 weeks Conversational I B1 Intermediate 60 hours – 3 weeks Conversational II B2 Advanced 100 hours – 5 weeks
In addition, people ask
- LEVEL A1 (BREAKTHROUGH) Beginner. The Level A1 of Spanish Language is aimed towards students who do not have any prior knowledge of the language.
- LEVEL A2 (WAYSTAGE) Elementary.
- LEVEL B1 (THRESHOLD) Intermediate.
- LEVEL B2 (VANTAGE) Advanced.
- LEVEL C1 (PROFICIENCY) Superior.
- LEVEL C2 (MASTERY) Proficiency.
- 0 – No Proficiency.
- 1 – Elementary Proficiency.
- 2 – Limited Working Proficiency.
- 3 – Professional Working Proficiency.
- 4 – Full Professional Proficiency.
- 5 – Native / Bilingual Proficiency.