What is the CEFR?
The international standard for language ability
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) describes language ability on a six-level scale, from Pre-A1 (first letters and words) through A1 and A2 (everyday communication) up to B and C levels. It describes ability as practical "can-do" statements rather than as test scores.
Standards we design against
CEFR first — with allied frameworks informing design
CEFR Companion Volume (2020)
CEFR can-do descriptors
Mediation (CV2020)
Cambridge Young Learners English
Dolch / Fry sight words
Oxford 3000 / NGSL frequency
WIDA ELL proficiency
Level-by-level alignment
Pre-Level · CEFR Pre-A1
Literacy readiness & first communication.
| Sub-level | CEFR | What learners can do | Mapped CEFR scales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-1 | Pre-A1 | Recognize and write the letters A–Z and their sounds; hear initial sounds in words. | Phonological & orthographic control (emergent) — a literacy-readiness step just before the CEFR communicative scales. |
| Pre-2 | Pre-A1 | Read short CVC words (cat, hat); use fixed phrases ("I have a cat", "Yes, it is"); write CVC words. | Overall reading comprehension; Overall oral interaction; Overall written production (Pre-A1). |
| Pre-3 | Pre-A1 | Read digraphs and blends; produce simple set phrases; follow a short illustrated story; build simple sentences. | Reading & listening comprehension; Overall oral / written production (Pre-A1, reaching into A1). |
Levels 1–4 · CEFR A1 → A2+
How far the mapping has been checked. Every row below
(Pre-A1 → A2+) was compared word-for-word against the official CEFR Companion Volume
(2020) descriptors on 2026-07-24. The course runs from the first letters of the
alphabet to A2+ — the bridge toward B1.
| Level | CEFR | What learners can do | Mapped CEFR scales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 Starter | A1 | Greet and introduce themselves; say what they like and have; describe familiar people, animals, colours and numbers in simple terms; understand and write very short texts about themselves. | Conversation; Information exchange; Overall oral production; Overall oral comprehension & reading; Overall written production (A1). |
| Level 2 Beginner | A1–A2 | Describe daily routines and home; carry out simple shopping transactions; ask for and give directions; express feelings and reasons; handle simple everyday exchanges. | Obtaining goods & services; Information exchange; Conversation; Sustained monologue (describing experience); Overall written production (A2). |
| Level 3 Elementary | A2 (→ A2+) | Narrate past experiences and future plans; describe people; order in a restaurant; give health advice; sequence a story; make simple comparisons and use simple relative clauses. | Sustained monologue (describing experience); Obtaining goods & services; Creative writing; Overall reading; Overall written production (A2, upper A2 for comparison & relative clauses). |
| Level 4 Bridge | A2+ (→ B1) | Express obligation and advice (have to / should); compare with -er / the most; make plans and predictions (going to / will); state preferences; use relative clauses (who / that / where); give reasons and concessions (so / although); use first & zero conditionals; report what people said and asked — the bridge from A2 toward B1. | Sustained monologue (describing experience); Conversation; Creative writing; Grammatical accuracy; Overall written production (upper A2, with B1 features in conditionals, reported speech & relative clauses). |
Coverage across the four CEFR modes
Every mode developed — no skill is a token activity
The Companion Volume describes four modes of communication: reception, production, interaction and mediation — helping other people take part. Mediation is covered by the paired Survey activity in every Level 1–4 chapter, so it applies when the course is used with a partner or in class.
| CEFR mode | Pre-A1 (Pre) | A1 (L1) | A2 → A2+ (L2–L4) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reception listen & read | Recognize words / short phrases | Familiar everyday language; very short texts | Short narratives & everyday texts |
| Interaction | Fixed-phrase responses | Greetings, introductions, information exchange | Transactions, directions, advice, opinions |
| Production | Simple set phrases | Describe self & objects; short sentences | Narrate experience, plans, comparisons; give reasons & concessions; report speech; connected paragraphs (A2+) |
| Mediation helping others take part | — | Survey a classmate with prepared questions | Ask what others think and understand their answers |
| Language vocab/grammar/sound | Emergent phonics & spelling | Short-vowel & consonant decoding; A1 vocabulary | Digraphs & long vowels; suffixes, prefixes & word stress; A2 vocabulary & grammar, with conditionals, relative clauses & reported speech (A2+) |
About this alignment. This is an internal alignment review. Every learning outcome is mapped to a CEFR Companion Volume descriptor, and in July 2026 every descriptor reference was cross-checked against the official CEFR Companion Volume 2020 text (Council of Europe), using the official scale names and level cells. It demonstrates how the curriculum is designed against the CEFR. It is not an external accreditation or certification by the Council of Europe or any examining body, which would require independent expert validation. CEFR descriptor wording is paraphrased here; the CEFR is © Council of Europe.