Council of Europe and CEFR

The Council of Europe is an international organization founded in 1949 that aims to protect fundamental values such as human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe. In this context, it aims to create standards in language learning by carrying out important studies in the field of language education. The CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), developed for this purpose, provides an international benchmark and assessment system for language learning and teaching.

What is the CEFR?

The CEFR is a framework created by the Council of Europe in 2001 and provides a reference point for assessing language skills. The CEFR provides a general structure for language learning, helping to determine what level of language knowledge students have. The framework classifies language proficiency at six different levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. These levels define language skills from beginner (A1) to advanced (C2).

CEFR Levels

• A1 (Beginner): Ability to understand and use basic expressions. The person can make sentences about simple situations such as meeting himself, meeting his daily needs.
• A2 (Basic): Ability to communicate in simple sentences and expressions. The person can understand situations that are frequently encountered in daily life such as shopping and asking for directions.
• B1 (Intermediate): The  ability to construct more complex sentences and basic arguments on different topics. The person can communicate about situations such as work and travel.
• B2 (Advanced Intermediate): The  ability to understand and discuss more complex texts with a wider vocabulary. The person is able to express their opinions openly and engage in deeper discussions.
• C1 (Advanced): The ability to communicate fluently and effectively. A person can create written and spoken statements on complex topics using a large vocabulary.
• C2 (Master Level): Almost native language use. A person is able to understand a wide range of texts and express complex thoughts on a wide range of topics.

Advantages of the CEFR

• Standardization: The CEFR establishes a common language in language learning and teaching. This helps clarify expectations between students and teachers.
• International Validity: The CEFR is a system that is accepted in many European countries and around the world. This increases the international validity of language proficiency certificates.
• Individual Progress Tracking: The CEFR allows students to assess their own progress and track their progress. This makes it easier to achieve personal goals.
• Comprehensive Assessment: The CEFR assesses not only grammar but also listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. This offers a more holistic language learning process.

CEFR and Language Education

The CEFR plays an important role in the creation of language teaching methods and curricula. Educators aim to provide education in the most appropriate way to the needs of students by developing curriculum and materials suitable for CEFR levels. In this context, the processes of setting goals, developing learning strategies and evaluating students' progress in language learning are facilitated.

Created by the Council of Europe, the CEFR provides an important frame of reference in language learning and teaching. By identifying language skills at different levels, it makes students' language learning processes more effective and efficient. The CEFR provides more opportunities for students on a global scale by standardizing language education at both an individual and societal level. It is critical for a successful language learning process for anyone who wants to learn a foreign language to consider their CEFR level.