A2 Elementary

This skill relates to the comprehension of audio-visual media, understanding not only spoken content but also visual cues and context provided by the medium to decode the message.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can follow changes of topic of factual TV news items, and form an idea of the main content.

Associated Concepts

This is a general ability to understand written texts, encompassing various types and purposes of reading. It serves as the foundation for processing written information in different forms and contexts.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can understand short, simple texts containing the highest frequency vocabulary, including a proportion of shared international vocabulary items.

Associated Concepts

This involves recognizing implicit hints or signals in spoken or written language and deducing meanings or conclusions based on them. It's a critical skill for understanding subtleties and reading between the lines.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can exploit format, appearance and typographic features in order to identify the type of text: news story, promotional text, article, textbook, chat or forum, etc.

Can exploit numbers, dates, names, proper nouns, etc. to identify the topic of a text.

Can deduce the meaning and function of unknown formulaic expressions from their position in a text (e.g. at the beginning or end of a letter).

Associated Concepts

This competency pertains to grasping the content of discussions between others, often without being an active participant. It involves processing dialogue, contextual cues, and underlying dynamics.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can follow in outline short, simple social exchanges, conducted very slowly and clearly.

Associated Concepts

This skill is centered on understanding written communications such as letters, emails, or messages. It requires the ability to grasp both the explicit content and the intended tone or sentiment of the correspondence.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can understand short, simple personal letters.

Can understand very simple formal e-mails and letters (e.g. confirmation of a booking or online purchase).

Associated Concepts

This involves comprehending spoken content in settings like lectures, presentations, or performances. As part of an audience, one needs to process information while considering group dynamics and atmosphere.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can follow a very simple, well-structured presentation or demonstration, provided it is illustrated with slides, concrete examples or diagrams, it is delivered slowly and clearly with repetition, and the topic is familiar.

Can understand the outline of simple information given in a predictable situation, such as on a guided tour (e.g. “This is where the President lives”).

Associated Concepts

This pertains to reading with the purpose of familiarizing oneself with new information or environments. It can involve skimming and scanning texts like maps, directories, or brochures for specific details.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can find specific, predictable information in simple everyday material such as advertisements, prospectuses, menus, reference lists and timetables.

Can locate specific information in lists and isolate the information required (e.g. use the Yellow Pages to find a service or tradesman).

Can understand everyday signs and notices, etc. in public places, such as streets, restaurants, railway stations; in workplaces, such as directions, instructions, hazard warnings.

Associated Concepts

This competency revolves around processing and following spoken directives, such as public announcements or guidelines. It requires attention to detail and the ability to translate auditory content into actionable steps.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can catch the main point in short, clear, simple messages and announcements.

Can understand simple directions on how to get from X to Y, by foot or public transport.

Can understand basic instructions on times, dates and numbers, etc., and on routine tasks and assignments to be carried out.

Associated Concepts

This skill focuses on in-depth reading to extract facts, insights, and logical reasoning from texts. It often involves engaging with more complex content, such as academic articles, reports, or opinion pieces.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can understand texts describing people, places, everyday life and culture, etc., provided they use simple language.

Can understand information given in illustrated brochures and maps (e.g. the principal attractions of a city).

Can understand the main points in short news items on subjects of personal interest (e.g. sport, celebrities).

Can understand a short factual description or report within their own field, provided simple language is used and that it does not contain unpredictable detail.

Associated Concepts

This relates to comprehending content delivered through auditory channels without the benefit of visual context, like in audio books or podcasts. It demands focused listening and the ability to interpret content based solely on auditory cues.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can understand and extract the essential information from short, recorded passages dealing with predictable everyday matters which are delivered slowly and clearly.

Can extract important information from short broadcasts (e.g. the weather forecast, concert announcements, sports results), provided people talk clearly.

Can understand the important points of a story and manage to follow the plot, provided the story is told slowly and clearly.

Associated Concepts

This competency is about understanding written directives aimed at guiding actions or processes. It's essential for tasks like assembling a product, following a recipe, or completing a form.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can understand simple instructions on equipment encountered in everyday life – such as a public telephone.

Can understand simple, brief instructions, provided they are illustrated and not presented in continuous text.

Can understand instructions on medicine labels expressed as a simple command (e.g. “Take before meals” or “Do not take if driving”).

Can follow a simple recipe, especially if there are pictures to illustrate the most important steps.

Associated Concepts

This refers to reading for pleasure or relaxation, often involving narratives like novels, magazines, or comics. The focus here is on enjoyment and engagement, rather than critical analysis or information extraction.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can understand short narratives and descriptions of someone’s life composed in simple language.

Can understand what is happening in a photo story (e.g. in a lifestyle magazine) and form an impression of what the characters are like.

Can understand much of the information provided in a short description of a person (e.g. a celebrity).

Associated Concepts

This refers to an extended spoken discourse where an individual shares personal experiences or recounts events without interruption.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can describe their family, living conditions, educational background, present or most recent job.

Can describe people, places and possessions in simple terms.

Can express what they are good at and not so good at (e.g. sports, games, skills, subjects).

Can briefly describe what they plan to do at the weekend or during the holidays.

Associated Concepts

This skill focuses on producing original written content, often involving imaginative storytelling, poetry, or other forms of artistic expression.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can produce a series of simple phrases and sentences about their family, living conditions, educational background, or present or most recent job.

Can create short, simple imaginary biographies and simple poems about people.

Can create diary entries that describe activities (e.g. daily routine, outings, sports, hobbies), people and places, using basic, concrete vocabulary and simple phrases and sentences with simple connectives like “and”, “but” and “because”.

Can compose an introduction to a story or continue a story, provided they can consult a dictionary and references (e.g. tables of verb tenses in a course book).

Associated Concepts

This competency pertains to adjusting one's communication approach when faced with gaps in vocabulary or grammar knowledge. It's about finding alternative ways to express a thought or idea when the exact words or structures are not readily accessible.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can identify what they mean by pointing to it (e.g. “I’d like this, please”).

Associated Concepts

This skill refers to speaking at length to present a particular argument or perspective, supporting the case with evidence and reasoning.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can present their opinion in simple terms, provided interlocutors are patient.

Associated Concepts

This competency focuses on speaking to groups, whether small or large, ensuring the content is engaging, relevant, and adapted to the audience's needs and context.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can give a short, rehearsed, basic presentation on a familiar subject.

Can answer straightforward follow-up questions if they can ask for repetition and if some help with the formulation of their reply is possible.

Associated Concepts

This competency revolves around engaging in spoken dialogues, ensuring mutual understanding and effective exchange of ideas across various contexts.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters to do with work and free time. Can handle very short social exchanges but is rarely able to understand enough to keep conversation going of their own accord.

Associated Concepts

This skill involves comprehending the spoken words, sentiments, and intentions of a conversation partner, ensuring effective and empathetic communication.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can understand what is said clearly, slowly and directly to them in simple everyday conversation; can be made to understand, if the interlocutor can take the trouble.

Associated Concepts

This competency pertains to participating in casual spoken exchanges, demonstrating fluency, coherence, and adaptability based on the context and participants.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can handle very short social exchanges but is rarely able to understand enough to keep conversation going of their own accord, though they can be made to understand if the interlocutor will take the trouble.

Can use simple, everyday, polite forms of greeting and address.

Can converse in simple language with peers, colleagues or members of a host family, asking questions and understanding answers relating to most routine matters.

Can make and respond to invitations, suggestions and apologies.

Can express how they are feeling, using very basic stock expressions.

Can state what they like and dislike.

Associated Concepts

This skill refers to engaging in relaxed, non-structured dialogues where participants share opinions, ideas, and experiences without a rigid agenda.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can discuss everyday practical issues in a simple way when addressed clearly, slowly and directly.

Can discuss what to do, where to go and make arrangements to meet.

Can express opinions in a limited way.

Associated Concepts

This skill revolves around collaborating with others to achieve a specific purpose or outcome through oral communication, ensuring mutual understanding and shared responsibility.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can indicate when they are following and can be made to understand what is necessary, if the interlocutor takes the trouble.

Can communicate in simple and routine tasks using simple phrases to ask for and provide things, to get simple information and to discuss what to do next.

Associated Concepts

This competency concerns communicating effectively to procure products or services, demonstrating clarity, politeness, and negotiation skills when required.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can get simple information about travel, use public transport (e.g. buses, trains, taxis), ask and give directions, and buy tickets.

Can ask about things and make simple transactions in shops, post offices or banks.

Can give and receive information about quantities, numbers, prices, etc.

Can make simple purchases by stating what is wanted and asking the price.

Can order a meal.

Can point out when something is wrong (e.g. “The food is cold” or “There is no light in my room”).

Can ask (face-to-face) for a medical appointment and understand the reply. Can indicate the nature of a problem to a health professional, perhaps using gestures and body language.

Associated Concepts

This skill involves sharing and receiving data or knowledge, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and relevance in both oral and written contexts.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information.

Can exchange limited information on familiar and routine operational matters.

Can ask and answer questions about what they do at work and in their free time.

Can ask for and give directions referring to a map or plan.

Can ask for and provide personal information.

Can ask and answer simple questions about an event (e.g. ask where and when it took place, who was there and what it was like).

Associated Concepts

This competency pertains to both conducting interviews and responding as an interviewee, demonstrating effective questioning, listening, and answering techniques.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can answer simple questions and respond to simple statements in an interview.

Can indicate in simple language the nature of a problem to a health professional, perhaps using gestures and body language.

Associated Concepts

This skill involves communicating via devices such as phones, ensuring clarity, appropriateness, and effective conveyance of information or sentiments.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can, given repetition and clarifications, participate in a short, simple phone conversation with a known person on a predictable topic, e.g. arrival times, arrangements to meet.

Can understand a simple message (e.g. “My flight is late. I will arrive at 10 o’clock.”), confirm details of the message and pass it on by phone to other people concerned.

Associated Concepts

This skill involves writing letters, emails, or other direct written communications, ensuring clarity, appropriateness, and adherence to conventions.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can convey personal information of a routine nature, for example in a short e-mail or letter introducing themselves.

Can compose very simple personal letters expressing thanks and apology.

Can compose short, simple notes, e-mails and text messages (e.g. to send or reply to an invitation, to confirm or change an arrangement).

Can compose a short text in a greetings card (e.g. for someone’s birthday or to wish them a Happy New Year).

Associated Concepts

This competency refers to composing brief written communications or filling out informational forms, ensuring accuracy, brevity, and relevance.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can formulate short, simple notes and messages relating to matters in areas of immediate need.

Can fill in personal and other details on most everyday forms (e.g. to open a bank account, or to send a letter by recorded delivery).

Associated Concepts

This skill revolves around participating in digital interactions, such as chats or forums, ensuring effective exchange, netiquette, and adaptability based on the platform.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can engage in basic social communication online (e.g. a simple message on a virtual card for special occasions, sharing news and making/confirming arrangements to meet).

Can make brief positive or negative comments online about embedded links and media using a repertoire of basic language, though they will generally have to refer to an online translation tool and other resources.

Associated Concepts

This competency pertains to working with others in a digital environment towards a shared objective, ensuring mutual understanding, and effective online communication.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can make simple online transactions (e.g. ordering goods or enrolling in a course) by filling in an online form or questionnaire, providing personal details and confirming acceptance of terms and conditions, declining extra services, etc.

Can ask basic questions about the availability of a product or feature.

Can respond to simple instructions and ask simple questions in order to accomplish a shared task online with the help of a supportive interlocutor.

Associated Concepts

This skill involves recognizing when to speak or write and when to listen or read during an interaction, ensuring a balanced and respectful exchange

At level A2.1 this means:

Can ask for attention.

Associated Concepts

This skill involves seeking further information or verification when something is unclear in a conversation or written communication, ensuring full comprehension.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can indicate that they did not follow.

Can signal non-understanding and ask for a word/sign to be spelt out.

Associated Concepts

This competency involves conveying precise details clearly and accurately, ensuring that the intended audience understands the exact data points.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can relay (in Language B) the point made in short, clear, simple messages, instructions and announcements, provided these are expressed slowly and clearly in simple language (in Language A).

Can relay (in Language B) in a simple way a series of short, simple instructions, provided the original (in Language A) is clearly and slowly articulated.

Can list (in Language B) the main points of short, clear, simple messages and announcements (given in Language A), provided they are clearly and slowly articulated.

Can list (in Language B) specific information contained in simple texts (in Language A) on everyday subjects of immediate interest or need.

Associated Concepts

This skill refers to reading and understanding written content, extracting essential information, and discerning its significance.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can convey (in Language B) the main point(s) contained in clearly structured, short, simple texts (in Language A), supplementing their limited repertoire with other means (e.g. gestures, drawings, words/signs from other languages) in order to do so.

Can use simple language to convey (in Language B) the main point(s) contained in very short texts (in Language A) on familiar and everyday themes that contain the highest frequency vocabulary; despite errors, the text remains comprehensible.

Can copy out short texts in printed or clearly handwritten format.

Associated Concepts

This competency concerns converting text from one language to another while retaining the original message's essence, tone, and intent.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can provide a simple, rough oral translation (into Language B) of short, simple texts (e.g. notices on familiar subjects) (written in Language A), capturing the most essential point.

Can provide a simple, rough oral translation (into Language B) of routine information on familiar everyday subjects that is written in simple sentences (in Language A) (e.g. personal news, short narratives, directions, notices or instructions).

Can use simple language to provide an approximate translation (from Language A into Language B) of very short texts on familiar and everyday themes that contain the highest frequency vocabulary; despite errors, the translation remains comprehensible.

Associated Concepts

This competency concerns leading and managing group discussions, ensuring all members contribute, understand, and work harmoniously.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can collaborate in simple, practical tasks, asking what others think, making suggestions and understanding responses, provided they can ask for repetition or reformulation from time to time.

Associated Concepts

This skill involves working together with others to interpret, create, or convey shared understandings, pooling collective insights.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can make simple remarks and pose occasional questions to indicate that they are following.

Can make suggestions in a simple way.

Associated Concepts

This skill involves mediating between parties, bridging communication gaps, and resolving misunderstandings to ensure harmonious interactions.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can communicate (in Language B) the main point of what is said (in Language A) in predictable everyday situations, conveying back and forth information about personal wants and needs, provided other people help with formulation.

Associated Concepts

This skill pertains to one's ability to use a broad spectrum of linguistic structures and expressions in various contexts, showcasing language proficiency.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can produce brief, everyday expressions in order to satisfy simple needs of a concrete type (e.g. personal details, daily routines, wants and needs, requests for information).

Can use basic sentence patterns and communicate with memorised phrases, groups of a few words/signs and formulae about themselves and other people, what they do, places, possessions, etc.

Has a limited repertoire of short, memorised phrases covering predictable survival situations; frequent breakdowns and misunderstandings occur in non-routine situations.

Associated Concepts

This competency focuses on the extent of words and phrases an individual knows and can use effectively in diverse situations.

At level A2.1 this means:

Has sufficient vocabulary for the expression of basic communicative needs.

Has sufficient vocabulary for coping with simple survival needs.

Associated Concepts

This skill revolves around understanding and applying the social rules of language use, ensuring one's expressions align with the cultural and societal norms of the audience.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can handle very short social exchanges, using everyday polite forms of greeting and address.

Can make and respond to invitations, suggestions, apologies, etc.

Associated Concepts

This competency involves recognizing when to speak and when to listen during a conversation, ensuring a balanced and respectful exchange.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can ask for attention.

Associated Concepts

This competency focuses on organizing ideas logically and connecting them with appropriate linguistic tools, ensuring the content flows smoothly and is easy to follow.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can link groups of words/signs with simple connectors (e.g. “and”, “but” and “because”).

Associated Concepts

This skill refers to the ease and flow of speech or writing, ensuring the message is conveyed smoothly and without undue hesitation or disruption.

At level A2.1 this means:

Can construct phrases on familiar topics with sufficient ease to handle short exchanges, despite very noticeable hesitation and false starts.

Associated Concepts