How to pick your language level A1-C2

Hi everyone,

This page is to help you determine what your language level is if you have yet to figure it out. First, take one or more of the tests and then look at what each level involves. I divided B1 and B2 into two separate levels each because there are varying degrees of intermediacy and I believe that this gives you a better understanding of where you may be at. In the past, I divided B2 into three sections and did not divide B1, but after thinking about it some more/getting some feedback, B1 and B2 subdivision makes a little more sense. If you get confused looking at stuff from the past, as a general rule of thumb, B2.2 is the new B2.3 and B1.2 is the new B2.1. Please remember that all of these levels are rather subjective and are up to interpretation so I might play around with what fits into what category based on the works. Hope this breakdown helps!

Determine your Learning Level (A1-C2)

Here are 4 different tests you can take to see what level you are at currently:

Test 1, Test 2, Test 3, Test 4

There are other Spanish tests that can be found at this website if you are interested in taking even more.

If you want to see where you fit in using charts without taking a test, here are alternative links*:

1) CEFR Common Refrerence Global Scale Table- has a brief description of what each level should be able to do comfortably.

2) CEFR Self-Assessment Grid- this is in Spanish and acts as a rubric for what you are able to do on a daily basis.

3) CEFR Qualitative aspects of Spoken Language Table- it focuses on different qualities of spoken Spanish.

*All of the information for each level written below (except for B2.1-B2.3) is a synthesis of these three tables. Please refer to them if you are confused at any point.

A1: Absolute Beginner

You have absolutely no knowledge or very little knowledge of Spanish at this level. You know some vocabulary with regards to personal details (like personal attributes, where you are from, etc..) and specific situations (like going for a walk). Most of what you say has to be prefabricated or is based on something that was written prior. You may pause a lot when encountering unfamiliar phrases/vocabulary. You can engage in a very simple conversation (such as introducing or excusing yourself, asking how someone's day is, etc) with a lot of repetition and guidance. You have a tougher time reading because you have a limited range of vocabulary and understanding of grammar/syntax/semantics.

A2: Beginner

You can understand a little more now like frequently used expressions and things that are of personal relevance to you (job, family, location, where you are from, etc..). You can communicate using simple and direct phrases, but still need guidance when it comes to most vocabulary and grammar/phrasing. You can describe things that you may need urgently or may need geographically. Most phrases are still memorized or read from a script. Reading is becoming easier as your vocabulary and grammar knowledge expands, but it still remains difficult. You can write a paragraph or so in Spanish about things that are important to you. Stick to short works such as very simple poems or stories with English translations (just because poems are short DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE EASY- I try to pick very easy poems or short stories for this level).

B1.1: Transition Intermediate Level

 You can understand the main points of some conversations (mostly ones that are concrete such as work, family, what you do in your free time, etc..). Grammar is becoming very frustrating because you are struggling to decide whether or not you should use the preterite or the imperfect for every sentence describing the past, whether or not to use por vs para, and hacer is just starting to become more versatile (can be used to describe time as in "three years ago"). When speaking, you can talk about yourself and others a little more confidently, but sometimes get confused about putting the indirect and direct objects first. You ramble most of the time, but know enough to get your point across since it requires a lot of effort and focus to say what you need to say. When reading, you should focus on minicuentos (very short stories such as legends or things can help you learn about cultural elements of different Spanish speaking countries) or very short and easy poems. There are some very short books you can read, which I will suggest in the resources for this level.

B1.2: Lower Intermediate Level

You can speak somewhat abstractly when talking about hopes, dreams, give some reasoning behind decisions, and can produce very basic texts. The word "subjunctive" has taken on a whole new frightening meaning as you learn to use it with certain phrases. You still fumble around when trying to speak because you are learning a lot of new words, but are starting to make a little more sense without having to talk around your point. You do not need someone there helping you through basic sentence structure (using "and", "but", "because" and "so") and vocabulary, but need further guidance when going beyond that. You can deal with most situations if you go to a Spanish speaking country, but have trouble understanding the fast spoken or regional Spanish sometimes. You should reading more short stories at this level and try to use the vocabulary that you learn so that you can incorporate it into your Spanish repertoire.

B2.1: Middle Intermediate Level

You are becoming more and more confident with all elements of Spanish. Start listening to Spanish songs at this level so you can get familiar with how people phrase things (to sound more natural speaking the language). This is the weird middle ground between a beginner intermediate and a level where you become more comfortable with the language. You are learning so much that you feel as if you know nothing about the language and may never become fluent (however, you are learning more than you think at this level!). You see "llevar" can be used for time and that poner, hacer, quedar, tocar all mean so much more than you originally learned. You can understand some of the main ideas of a complex text, but have more trouble with abstract topics like technical discussions in field of expertise. You can talk with native speakers, but sometimes have a tough time understanding them or they don't quite get what you mean with that one phrase. Read anything you can get your hands on and fight through the "runner's wall" phase.

B2.2: Upper Intermediate Level

You think that you are pretty close to fluent, but you are lulled under a false sense of security. Here is a quotation from the CEFR global scale table: "Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options" (CEFR website). You still have more work to do so read more short stories, solidify grammar rules, and read as much as you can of poetry/epics and short to medium essays.

C1: Proficient

You have a very good grasp on the language, but need to fine tune some aspects such as very difficult and abstract concepts. You have a good understanding of idioms, cultural elements of various Spanish speaking countries, and can demonstrate pretty much all of your thoughts, feelings, aspirations without any problem. You have mastered 10 out of the 11 uses of "se" in the language and have no problem reading Spanish, except for the occasional word you haven't ever seen or seen for a while. You can write essays pretty comfortably about literary analysis or most abstract concepts. Expand your vocabulary (especially from different regions, slang, etc..) by reading essays, browsing memes, watching TV shows/youtube videos to get an understanding of how native Spanish speakers phrase things/talk about things within their home country. Read books or complex short stories as much as you can and think about them in Spanish.

C2: Advanced 

Don Quijote in the original Spanish level. You are pretty close to fluent for real this time, but you do not know very complex or words not commonly used like "alcantarillado" (sewage system), "zuncho"(metal beam), or various Spanish regionalisms. Look to expand your vocabulary, listen to your favorite radio show/podcast and watch your favorite show without subtitles. I will link different magazines of various subject matters to help expand your vocabulary even further. Immerse yourself as much as you can in complex essays, short stories, and long books. You can consistently dream in Spanish and finally no longer need to translate Spanish into English to understand the words.