Levels of Language Proficiency
Hilderstone College Levels of Language Proficiency provide a definition of overall language proficiency and a detailed
description of competence in the skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. They provide a means of
measuring progress and an indication of level of achievement.
The Hilderstone College Levels of Language Proficiency follow the nine-level scale of the English-Speaking Union
Framework of Performance Scales for English Language Examinations. Overall language proficiency has also been
matched against the Common European Framework (CEFR), IELTS gradings and Cambridge ESOL examinations.
SPEAKING
LISTENING
9
can communicate using an extensive range of language
equivalent to that used in own language.
9
can understand in all situations with full confidence and
competence using strategies equivalent to those in their own
language. An exceptional level of listening.
8
can communicate with proficiency approaching that in own
language, conveying information fully with interest and effect,
using consistently accurate and well-structured language
entirely appropriate to context, function and intention.
8
can understand virtually everything heard in English with a
competence approaching that in own language, following all
the points in a text including detail and recognising the
significance of style and subtle distinctions of usage.
7
can communicate fully effectively in all personal and
professional contexts with a high degree of accuracy, speaking
confidently and competently on a wide range of topics in wellstructured and appropriate language.
7
can understand standard and some non-standard English
competently, following virtually all the points in talks and
media broadcasts including detail, identifying viewpoints,
stated and implicit attitudes, and recognising registers.
6
can communicate independently and effectively in
professional and personal contexts expressing ideas and
opinions clearly and taking an active part in discussion using
some complex and idiomatic language appropriately and
accurately.
can use a range of language to communicate confidently in
personal and professional situations, maintaining a
conversation or discussion and finding different forms of
expression when necessary.
6
can understand standard English in personal and professional
contexts, follow the significant points in talks and media
broadcasts in some detail and understand complex and
idiomatic language in familiar situations.
5
can understand standard English in personal and professional
situations, noting some specific information, extracting most
main points of media broadcasts, and following discussions
with some confidence.
4
can communicate fairly confidently to meet practical everyday
needs, taking part in conversation and exchanging information,
although repetition and/or assistance may be required.
4
can understand fairly confidently, note limited specific
information and extract the broad outline of the message
from announcements, talks and radio/TV programmes.
3
can ask for and give information and describe events in
familiar social situations, usually managing to convey the
meaning intended.
3
can understand simple conversations on personal topics,
simple messages and announcements, and follow in outline
simple radio/TV programmes on familiar topics, with
support.
2
can ask and answer simple personal questions with assistance.
2
can understand personal questions and simple instructions
when spoken slowly or repeated.
1
can use a few words or phrases, such as greetings.
1
can understand simple greetings and some words or phrases
when spoken very slowly or accompanied by translation or
visual support.
5
READING
WRITING
9
can read all general texts and texts in own specialist areas with
full confidence and competence using strategies for reading
equivalent to those used in own language. An exceptional
level of reading.
9
can produce all general texts and texts in own specialist areas
with full confidence and competence similar to those in own
language. An exceptional level of writing.
8
can understand virtually everything read in English with a
competence approaching that in own language, following all
the points in a text including detail, and appreciating subtle
distinctions of style and implicit meaning.
8
can produce a full range of texts with proficiency
approaching that in own language, writing with interest and
to full effect, using consistently accurate and well-structured
language appropriate to the task, context and intention.
7
can understand different kinds of standard written English
competently, following virtually all the points in a text
including detail, recognising stated and implied opinions,
identifying emphasis and recognising different styles.
7
can write fully effectively in all personal and professional
contexts at a high level of accuracy and organisation using a
wide range of expressions appropriately to convey ideas and
complex information, and describe opinions and experiences.
6
can read standard written English in personal and professional
situations, note the significant points including most detail,
follow argument, identify emphasis, and understand idiomatic
language in familiar situations.
6
can write in professional and personal contexts, expressing
ideas and opinions and reporting factual information clearly
with good control of grammar, vocabulary, spelling and
punctuation using a broad range of appropriate language.
5
can understand standard written English in personal and
professional situations, noting most of the significant points
and some detail; is also able to read longer texts on subjects
of personal interest.
5
can use a fair range of language, with generally good control
of grammar, vocabulary, spelling and punctuation, to produce
e.g. short articles, informal letters and basic formal letters, in
which the overall intention of the writer is clear.
4
can read simple social or personal texts fairly confidently, note
limited specific information and extract the broad outline of
the message in basic newspaper articles.
4
can write fairly confidently to meet practical needs,
composing personal letters, giving descriptions and
instructions, narrating events and eliciting information using
language which is broadly appropriate to the task.
3
can understand simple personal letters, descriptions and
instructions, recognising the main points and noting some
significant detail, usually with support.
3
can write simple sentences and short paragraphs, giving
personal information, and describing people, places and
events, to complete a personal letter or note, usually
managing to convey the meaning intended.
2
can understand common signs and notices, noting factual
information e.g. times, dates and prices, and read simple
social or personal texts with occasional assistance.
2
can write single words and short phrases to complete a form,
note or postcard giving personal or factual information.
1
can read familiar names, and recognise some public notices or
signs.
1
can give simple information e.g. completing a form with
name and address.
IELTS and
Cambridge
ESOL
9
8
CPE
OVERALL LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
CEFR
C2
7
CAE
C1
6 – 6.5
FCE
B2
9
can use an extensive range of language equivalent to that used in own language. An exceptional level of mastery.
8
can use a full range of language with proficiency approaching that in own language with only rare uncertainties in
conveying or comprehending the content of the message.
7
can use the language fully effectively in all personal and professional contexts with a high degree of accuracy,
communicating confidently and competently in well-structured language with appropriate expression.
6
can use the language independently and effectively in most professional and all personal contexts, expressing ideas
and opinions clearly and understanding and exchanging information reliably.
5
can communicate confidently in all personal and some professional situations, finding different forms of expression
when necessary, and understanding information on topics of interest in unsimplified but straightforward language.
4
can use the language to meet practical everyday needs, maintaining conversation fairly confidently on topics of
interest and finding out and passing on simple information although repetition and/or help may be required.
3
can use the language to meet simple practical needs, asking for and giving information, describing events, and
taking part in conversations in familiar social situations, usually with assistance and repetition.
2
can ask for and exchange simple information and be understood in familiar social situations, with assistance.
1
can use a few words or phrases such as greetings, and recognise some public notices or signs.
4.5 – 5.5
B1
3.5 – 4
PET
3
KET
A2
2
A1
1