Overview

Language Proficiency Levels

CEFR is an international standard for language proficiency developed by the Council of Europe, evaluating language skills on a six-level scale from A1 (Beginner) to C2 (Proficiency). In Japan, it is mapped to various English tests including EIKEN and TOEIC, serving as a common indicator for objectively showing learners' proficiency levels. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology is also revising curriculum guidelines based on CEFR, making it an important framework in Japanese English education.

CEFR language proficiency English EIKEN TOEIC language levels Common European Framework

code	slug	name	description	category	eikenEquivalent	toeicLREquivalent_max	toeicLREquivalent_min	vocabularySize_max	vocabularySize_min	toeicLREquivalent_note
A1	cefr-a1	A1 (Beginner / Breakthrough)	Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases.	Basic User	Grade 3	109	60	1000	500
A2	cefr-a2	A2 (Elementary / Waystage)	Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to familiar topics.	Basic User	Grade Pre-2	274	110	2000	1000
B1	cefr-b1	B1 (Intermediate / Threshold)	Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters.	Independent User	Grade 2	399	275	5000	3000
B2	cefr-b2	B2 (Upper-Intermediate / Vantage)	Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics.	Independent User	Grade Pre-1	489	400	7500	5000
C1	cefr-c1	C1 (Advanced / Effective Operational Proficiency)	Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning.	Proficient User	Grade 1	990	490	10000	8000
C2	cefr-c2	C2 (Proficiency / Mastery)	Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read.	Proficient User	Not applicable				10000	TOEICでは測定不可

International language proficiency level standards centered on CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).