There are numerous scales for assessing language proficiency, with three of the most widely known being the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), the American Council for Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR).
Typically, formal testing takes place to ascertain your true level, but nothing is stopping you from self-assessing to give yourself an idea of your level. Just remember to be honest with yourself!
It’s better to under-estimate your ability and have the pleasant surprise of performing better than your expectations in a real situation than have the unpleasant shock of walking into a situation over-confidently and walk away totally lost.
CEFR
A1: Breakthrough (Elementary Proficiency) – Self-introduction, simple questions seeking information (“where is…?”). Communicate at a slower pace with assistance from the other speaker.
A2: Waystage (Basic Proficiency) – Frequent expressions and everyday information (family, shopping, etc.). Simple and routine communication with some expression of description and need.
B1: Threshold (Lower Intermediate Proficiency) – Most topics of a familiar nature (work, school, leisure, etc.). Possible to describe experience and ambition in brief language.
B2: Vantage (Upper Intermediate Proficiency) – Understanding main points of more complex language. Possible to express abstract thought and opinion with supporting explanations. Communication has a degree of fluency.
C1: Effective Operational Proficiency (Basic Fluency) – Able to understand a wide variety of language with ease. Possible to use language flexibly and accurately across all areas of life. Communication is spontaneous and with fluent expression.
C2: Mastery (Advanced Fluency) – Able to understand virtually everything encountered. And possible to manipulate language to convey intricate meaning. Communication can be considered fluent.
ILR
S-1: Elementary Proficiency – Basic communication on routine matters (e.g. shopping) and simple topics if aided by the other speaker in their speed of speech, vocabulary usage, etc.
S-2: Limited Working Proficiency – Able to communicate socially and understand information on many non-technical subjects such as current events, work, etc.
S-3: Professional Working Proficiency – Able to communicate in most environments and comprehend the majority of speech at natural speed. Can discuss interests and opinions with reasonable competence and ease with a vocabulary adequate enough to not interfere with fluency.
S-4: Full Professional Proficiency – Advanced fluency and ability with few errors in usage. Able to communicate across all areas and have the ability to interpret on an informal level.
S-5: Native or Bilingual Proficiency – Complete fluency and ability equivalent to an educated native speaker, including idiomatic expressions, colloquialisms and cultural reference.
** It’s worth noting that each ILR level can also have a “+” for slightly above any given level. For example, a rating “2+” may indicate the ability to discuss the many topics with a good-sized vocabulary that marginally affects fluency.
