A1, B2, C1 — the codes that keep appearing in language courses, job adverts and visa requirements come from the Council of Europe’s common scale, the CEFR. Its purpose is simple but important: to turn a vague phrase like “good English” into something everyone reads the same way.
The scale is not language-specific. B1 in German and B1 in French describe the same level of ability, which is why results from Goethe, telc, ÖSD, DELF and IELTS can be compared with each other.
The six levels and what they actually mean
A1 — Beginner. You can introduce yourself, say where you are from, ask and answer simple questions, and understand someone speaking slowly and clearly. This is the usual requirement for a spouse visa to Germany.
A2 — Elementary. You understand concrete everyday topics — shopping, directions, opening hours — and can describe them in simple sentences. You still lean on set phrases.
B1 — Threshold. From here the language becomes useful: you can handle most situations while travelling, write connected text on familiar topics, and describe an experience or a goal. German naturalisation and many vocational routes use B1 as their benchmark.
B2 — Upper intermediate. You can follow abstract topics and hold a conversation with a native speaker without strain on either side. This is the floor most universities ask for.
C1 — Advanced. You understand long, demanding texts and express yourself fluently without hunting for words. Comfortable in academic and professional settings; often required in medicine and law.
C2 — Mastery. You understand virtually everything you hear and read without effort. Note what this does not mean: C2 is not “native-like”. It describes a level of use that many native speakers never formally reach — it measures skill, not identity.
How long does it take?
Published guidance gives rough ranges: around 70–100 hours for A1, 180–200 in total for A2, 350–400 for B1, 500–600 for B2, 700–800 for C1 and over 1,000 for C2.
Read those as an order of magnitude, not a target. Real time varies with three things: how close your first language is to the target, how consistent you are day to day, and whether you live inside the language. The same 400 hours can carry someone living in Germany past B1 while leaving a once-a-week learner at A2.
The commonest mistake: skipping a level
Moving to B1 before A2 is solid is the best-known reason people get stuck at B1. The gaps in A2 do not disappear at B1 — they simply become invisible, returning as small errors in every sentence. Most people who fail a B1 exam fail because their A2 foundation was loose, not because they did not know the B1 material.
A practical test: you have finished a level when you comfortably pass a practice exam at that level, not when you finish the coursebook.
Which level do you need?
Your goal decides this, not your ambition. Typically: A1 for family reunification visas, B1 for many jobs and vocational training, B2 for healthcare roles, B2 or C1 for university. But that is a generalisation — read the official requirement of the institution you are applying to.
Preparing for a level above your requirement only costs time and money. If a university asks for B2, spending six more months on C1 means six months not applying.
How exam scores map onto the CEFR
Roughly: IELTS 5.5–6.5 corresponds to B2, and 7.0–8.0 to C1. Goethe and telc certificates are already named after CEFR levels (Zertifikat B1, for example), so no conversion is needed.
Certificates can expire: many institutions require a language certificate issued within the last two years. Plan your exam date around your application calendar.
Finding your own level
The fastest route is a placement test. Ours is free for 13 languages and reports directly on the CEFR scale; you can then continue with A1–C2 lessons from wherever you land.
If the result surprises you, that is normal: most people overestimate themselves in reading and listening and underestimate themselves in speaking. Measurement beats guessing, and it also tells you what to work on.