What does a B2 level on the CEFR level tell us?
Updated 7 August 2020
At Pipplet, we have managed a number of language assessment tests, and often times we'll speak to business representatives or candidates themselves who ask us what a B2 CEFR level actually indicates?
While a user with a B2 CEFR level is quite good, many times there is a disconnect between what businesses and individuals expect and the final results a language assessment test. There are two main reasons why an individual language test taker or your candidate may have achieved a B2 language level:
- The first reason is that language learning and language readiness are neither congruent nor strong enough. This can often come from language learners placing more significance on their academic performance, when in fact language readiness is a question of evaluating one's practice of a language. Reciting irregular verbs in your sleep is very different to booking a rental car on the phone.
- The second reason is the distorted view of the scale of scores, particularly with the adoption of the CEFR as a widely used European rating scale. We'll expound more on this point below. Moreover, the CEFR levels are commonly misunderstood and many consider the only level worth having to be C1. It's important for everyone to re-set the bar and properly understand the how the CEFR breaks down their various levels.
The meaning of the levels has been misunderstood
Over time, the perceived value of the levels has shifted - there is a common misconception that a person with a B level is not good enough and as a result, C1 has naturally become the quintessential target of foreign language fluency.
How has this happened?
- For starters, it's much easier to maintain user satisfaction by creating higher grading standards, than it is to offer a realistic assessment.
- Second, many tests only measure comprehension. As a result, when only providing a 'comprehension' level, you're misrepresenting what a global level really entails. This results in a language skill level "inflation", making the language C skill level much easier to reach because you're eliminating a key component to language readiness and communication skill evaluation.
So, what does B level actually mean?
In CEFR terms, level B is split into two - B1 and B2 - with B1 being an independent user at the threshold, and B2 being an advanced independent user.
A candidate receiving a B1 language level score can already access certain jobs requiring language skills. For example those in the hospitality sector like hotels or restaurants/bars. These jobs require the ability to interact in a given language, and a B1 candidate would be more than able to communicate and interact with your clients.
Level B2 refers to a candidate who is able to clearly and spontaneously communicate in a more detailed manner. ETS Global describes this level as those with the ability to be a bit more independent though not yet an experienced speaker. However, a B2 user is able to understand and be understood in most situations.
To put this into perspective, users holding a B2 level are eligible for
employment positions requiring higher levels of education (e.g. a lawyer). So, suffice to say this is a very good level.
C1 is actually a lot higher than many people think...
As we mentioned above, a user holding level C1 is the holy grail of language learners. However, this is actually a much higher level to achieve than most people might think. It will take several years or even decades to reach this level as it corresponds exclusively to very experienced, nearly native level users. It is a level rarely necessary to be successful in a job, even though it’s often cited as a requirement - crazy right?
Check out our article where we speak about how even some native speakers don't even reach the next level - C2 !
So what now?
Fortunately, colleges and recruiters are beginning to lower their expectations as it relates to attainable language levels when requiring a candidate be skilled in another language, bilingual, or multilingual. More importantly, they are switching to tests that not only measure comprehension, but "can do's" (written, oral, comprehension, always in situation ) like the tests offered by us at Pipplet.
Tests like ours enable individuals and companies to receive a clear and practical view of a candidate's overall ability to use a language across all the different skills associated with language learning.
We believe in stopping the race to C1, appreciating more than just comprehension skills and giving you real, actionable guidance as it relates to language skill levels.
Learn more about our Pipplet tests in our 1-minute video!
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