SIMON & SIMON
Language Levels with corresponding Common European Framework (CEF) Levels
The hours required to move from one level to another assume the student undertakes a corresponding number of
hours of self-study and revision, alongside regular training sessions. Students may make faster progress if they are
more naturally gifted as linguists or have more opportunities to practise in the course of their work and leisure.
Students typically require a MINIMUM of 50 hours to move from one level to another (e.g. Level 2 to Level 3)
LEVEL
Complete
Beginner
Preliminary This should be the target level
for people who need to use a
language in their work in basic
CEF Level A1
interaction, e.g. receptionists,
line operatives, clerical or
secretarial staff who have
occasional contact with
speakers of the language
Level 1 Low This should be the target level
Intermediate for people who need to work
with overseas counterparts on a
CEF Level A2
routine functional level, e.g.
clerical staff, administrators, line
supervisors, secretarial staff etc
Level 2 This should be the target level
Intermediate for people whose work involves
them in extensive contact with
overseas colleagues, customers
CEF Level B1 or counterparts, e.g. line
managers, technical or research
personnel, senior administrators
etc.
Level 3 Upper This should be the target level
Intermediate for people for whom establishing
and sustaining business
relationships in a language is
CEF Level B2 essential, e.g. sales personnel,
senior executives, etc.
Level 4 This should be the target level
Advanced for personnel who need to
attend and participate fully in
formal or informal business
CEF Level meetings or attend conferences
C1/C2 or conventions
SIMON & SIMON Language Training | www.simonandsimon.co.uk | 0207 821 0999
LEVEL DESCRIPTIONS PROGRESS
As referred
to in SIMON
& SIMON
Progress
Reports
People at this level can:
make contacts and exchange basic information (personal, P-1
work and social)
handle basic business telephone language
work with numbers (e.g. dates and figures) P-2
understand simple requests and instructions
make basic travel arrangements and appointments
handle basic forms and documents P-3
People at this level can:
describe the company and its products L1-1
confirm and alter meeting arrangements
give simple instructions and explanations
develop contacts and exchange more specific / detailed L1-2
information
understand and write simple business correspondence and
notes L1-3
contribute to discussions (e.g. express opinions, agree and
disagree) and make simple formulaic presentations on
familiar topics
People at this level can:
understand and interpret key, work-related information, e.g. L2-1
handling customer enquiries
understand and write standard business correspondence
and reports
give more complex instructions and explanations and L2-2
explain ideas
participate in routine interviews
participate more fully in business meetings and discussions L2-3
make more complex formulaic presentations on familiar
topics
People at this level can:
understand and write complex business correspondence L3-1
and reports within own field
understand and discuss complex concepts of a general and
L3-2
work-related nature
handle formal and informal meetings and negotiations with,
for example, customer or suppliers
relocate to a country where the language is spoken and L3-3
function fully in all routine areas and aspects of work
People at this level can:
use appropriate language to deal with an extensive range L4-1
of oral and written tasks
respond to a wide variety of situations with fluency and
L4-2
spontaneity
read, interpret and produce highly specialised texts /
reports and present, discuss complex arguments
make presentations and contribute fully at seminars and L4-3
conferences