Self-assessment of initial language level

Learn more about the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) reference levels including information on estimated study hours to acquire a specific language level.

Information to help you self-assess is provided below (scroll to the circles).

CEFR at a glance

The table below provides a rough estimate of the time required to learn a language at a specified level.

CEFR	Level	Sublevel	Study hours (estimate)
A1	Basic user	Beginner	75 hours
A2	Basic user	Elementary	180 to 200 hours
B1	Independent user	Intermediate	350 to 400 hours
B2	Independent user	Upper intermediate	500 to 600 hours
C1	Proficient user	Effective operational proficiency	700 to 800 hours
C2	Proficient user	Proficiency	1000 to 1200 hours

 

---

However, each person will learn at a different pace and reach their objective in more or less time, based on:

• Hours spent on lessons
• If they live in the country of the language they are learning or not
• Level of proximity of one of their languages to the language they are learning
• Other language(s) they know
• Effort put into homework
• Passive learning time (watching films, listening to conversations or the radio, etc.)
• Learner’s proclivity to practice speaking (or writing, should that be their goal)
• Subject matter (work-related subjects they are familiar with, know little about, or day-to-day content)