What is CEFR?
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is the international standard for describing language ability. It divides proficiency into six levels across three bands: Basic (A1–A2), Independent (B1–B2), and Proficient (C1–C2). Every language course, textbook, and exam in Europe references these levels — and they're increasingly used worldwide.
The Six Levels Explained
A1 — Breakthrough. You can understand and use everyday expressions: greetings, basic questions about personal details, simple requests. Reading at A1 means following short, familiar texts — signs, menus, simple forms. Vocabulary is around 500–800 words.
A2 — Waystage. You handle routine tasks and describe your immediate environment. A2 readers can follow short narratives, understand simple emails, and read adapted news. Vocabulary reaches 1,000–1,500 words.
B1 — Threshold. The turning point. You can deal with most situations while travelling, describe experiences, and give reasons for opinions. B1 readers handle authentic texts with some support — newspaper articles, short stories, blog posts. This is the level most integration courses target.
B2 — Vantage. You interact fluently with native speakers without strain. B2 readers follow complex arguments in articles, understand contemporary literary prose, and read specialized texts in their field. Many university programs require B2.
C1 — Effective Operational Proficiency. You express yourself fluently and spontaneously. C1 readers handle demanding, longer texts and recognize implicit meaning. Academic reading and professional documents are accessible.
C2 — Mastery. Near-native comprehension. You can read virtually everything — literature, technical papers, colloquial writing — understanding nuance, irony, and cultural references.
How ReadFIT Maps Content to Levels
Every story on ReadFIT is tagged with a CEFR level. Our vocabulary highlighting system uses a color code: green for A-level words, yellow for B-level, and red for C-level. When you set your current level, the reader highlights words at and below your level, so you can see exactly which vocabulary you're expected to know.
The daily news articles rotate through levels on a schedule, ensuring fresh content across the proficiency spectrum. Learning paths structure stories in a progressive sequence, building from A2 foundations through B1 and beyond.
Finding Your Level
If you're unsure where you stand, start with A2 stories. If they feel too easy — you understand 90% or more without tooltips — move up to B1. If you're reaching for the tooltip on every other word, step back a level. The sweet spot is understanding about 70–80% of the text, with the rest being productive challenge.