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Listening 

I can recognise familiar words  and very basic phrases  

concerning myself, my family  and immediate concrete  

surroundings when people speak  slowly and clearly.

I can understand phrases and the  highest frequency vocabulary  related to areas of most  

immediate personal relevance  (e.g. very basic personal and  family information, shopping,  local area, employment). I can  catch the main point in short,  clear, simple messages and  

announcements.

I can understand the main points of  clear standard speech on familiar  matters regularly encountered in work,  school, leisure, etc. I can understand  the main point of many radio or TV  programmes on current affairs or  topics of personal or professional  interest when the delivery is  

relatively slow and clear.

I can understand extended speech and  lectures and follow even complex lines  of argument provided the topic is  

reasonably familiar. I can understand  most TV news and current affairs  programmes. I can understand the  majority of films in standard dialect.

I can understand extended speech even  when it is not clearly structured and  when relationships are only implied  and not signalled explicitly. I can  understand television programmes and  films without too much effort.

I have no difficulty in understanding any  kind of spoken language, whether live or  broadcast, even when delivered at fast  native speed, provided I have some time  to get familiar with the accent.

Reading 

I can understand familiar names,  words and very simple sentences,  for example on notices and  

posters or in catalogues.

I can read very short, simple  texts. I can find specific,  

predictable information in  

simple everyday material such as  advertisements, prospectuses,  menus and timetables and I can  understand short simple personal  letters.

I can understand texts that consist  mainly of high frequency everyday or  job-related language. I can understand  the description of events, feelings and  wishes in personal letters.

I can read articles and reports concerned  with contemporary problems in which  the writers adopt particular attitudes or  viewpoints. I can understand  

contemporary literary prose.

I can understand long and complex  factual and literary texts, appreciating  distinctions of style. I can understand  specialised articles and longer technical  instructions, even when they do not  relate to my field.

I can read with ease virtually all forms of  the written language, including abstract,  structurally or linguistically complex texts  such as manuals, specialised articles and  literary works. 

Spoken  

Interaction

I can interact in a simple way  provided the other person is  prepared to repeat or rephrase  things at a slower rate of speech  and help me formulate what I'm  trying to say. I can ask and  

answer simple questions in areas  of immediate need or on very  familiar topics.

I can communicate in simple and  routine tasks requiring a simple  and direct exchange of  

information on familiar topics  and activities. I can handle very  short social exchanges, even  though I can't usually understand  enough to keep the conversation  going myself.

I can deal with most situations likely  to arise whilst travelling in an area  where the language is spoken. I can  enter unprepared into conversation on  topics that are familiar, of personal  interest or pertinent to everyday life  (e.g. family, hobbies, work, travel and  current events).

I can interact with a degree of fluency  and spontaneity that makes regular  interaction with native speakers quite  possible. I can take an active part in  discussion in familiar contexts,  

accounting for and sustaining my views.

I can express myself fluently and  spontaneously without much obvious  searching for expressions. I can use  language flexibly and effectively for  social and professional purposes. I can  formulate ideas and opinions with  precision and relate my contribution  skilfully to those of other speakers.

I can take part effortlessly in any  

conversation or discussion and have a  good familiarity with idiomatic  

expressions and colloquialisms. I can  express myself fluently and convey finer  shades of meaning precisely. If I do have  a problem I can backtrack and restructure  around the difficulty so smoothly that  other people are hardly aware of it. 

Spoken  

Production

I can use simple phrases and  sentences to describe where I live  and people I know.

I can use a series of phrases and  sentences to describe in simple  terms my family and other  

people, living conditions, my  educational background and my  present or most recent job.

I can connect phrases in a simple way  in order to describe experiences and  events, my dreams, hopes and  

ambitions. I can briefly give reasons  and explanations for opinions and  plans. I can narrate a story or relate the plot of a book or film and describe my  reactions.

I can present clear, detailed descriptions  on a wide range of subjects related to my  field of interest. I can explain a  

viewpoint on a topical issue giving the  advantages and disadvantages of various  options.

I can present clear, detailed  

descriptions of complex subjects  integrating sub-themes, developing  particular points and rounding off with  an appropriate conclusion.

I can present a clear, smoothly-flowing  description or argument in a style  

appropriate to the context and with an  effective logical structure which helps the  recipient to notice and remember  

significant points. 

Writing 

I can write a short, simple  

postcard, for example sending  holiday greetings. I can fill in  forms with personal details, for  example entering my name,  

nationality and address on a hotel  registration form.

I can write short, simple notes  and messages relating to matters  in areas of immediate needs. I  can write a very simple personal  letter, for example thanking  someone for something.

I can write simple connected text on  topics which are familiar or of  

personal interest. I can write personal  letters describing experiences and  impressions.

I can write clear, detailed text on a wide  range of subjects related to my interests.  I can write an essay or report, passing on  information or giving reasons in support  of or against a particular point of view. I  can write letters highlighting the  

personal significance of events and  experiences.

I can express myself in clear, well structured text, expressing points of  view at some length. I can write about  complex subjects in a letter, an essay or  a report, underlining what I consider to  be the salient issues. I can select style  appropriate to the reader in mind.

I can write clear, smoothly-flowing text in  an appropriate style. I can write complex  letters, reports or articles which present a  case with an effective logical structure  which helps the recipient to notice and  remember significant points. I can write  summaries and reviews of professional or  literary works.