Examples of speaking performance at CEFR levels A2-C2
While the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) describes speaking performance at each of its six levels, it is difficult to know precisely what these levels mean until they can be seen in the context of live interaction.
Below are links to five video clips: each features the performance of students taking the speaking test section of Cambridge ESOL exams which reflect the following levels:
Key English Test – A2
Preliminary English Test – B1
First Certificate in English – B2
Certificate in Advanced English – C1
Certificate in Proficiency in English – C2
Each video clip has been carefully selected to represent a typical performance (of at least one student) at that level, using examples from both previous and current (updated) speaking tasks.
Accompanying each link is a commentary describing the performance and the test scores and explaining how the elements of that performance make it typical of that particular CEFR level.
Below that is a link to an overview of how the samples have been selected. This will be of use to researchers interested in the methodology of the data collection and analysis for these examples.
Legal Note:
The persons shown on these recordings have given their consent to the use of these recordings for research and training purposes only. Permission is given for the use of this material for examiner and teacher training in non-commercial contexts.
No part of this recording may be reproduced, stored, transmitted or sold without prior written permission. Written permission must also be sought for the use of this material in fee-paying training programmes.
While you may link to this page in your website, blog or other online material, to protect the consent of those students who contributed, please do not link directly to the video clips.
A2 - This video clip contains the speaking performances of Mansour (CEFR level A2) and Arvids (CEFR level A2). The two candidates are taking a Cambridge ESOL Key English Test
A2 video clip (WMV 20.17Mb)
A2 commentary (PDF 24Kb)
B1 This video clip contains the recorded speaking performances of Veronica (CEFR level B1) and Melisa (CEFR level B1). The two candidates are taking a Cambridge ESOL Preliminary English Test.
B1 video clip (WMV 26.04Mb)
B1 commentary (PDF 27Kb)
B2 This video clip contains the recorded speaking performances of Gabriela (CEFR level B2) and Rino (CEFR level B2). The two candidates are taking a Cambridge ESOL First certificate in English test.
B2 video clip (WMV 34.54Mb)
B2 commentary (PDF 28Kb)
C1 This video clip contains the recorded speaking performances of Christian (CEFR level C1) and Laurent (CEFR level C1). The two candidates are taking a Cambridge ESOL Certificate in Advanced English test.
C1 video clip (WMV 37.63Mb)
C1 commentary (PDF 26Kb)
C2 This video clip contains the recorded speaking performances of Ben (CEFR level C1/C1+) and Aliser (CEFR level C2). The two candidates are taking a Cambridge ESOL Certificate in Proficiency of English test.
C2 video clip (WMV 48.42Mb)
C2 commentary (PDF 25Kb)
The above examples were drawn from materials collected and developed as calibrated samples for use by Cambridge ESOL in standardisation training for speaking examiners. Cambridge ESOL has published these extracts as an aid to understanding the CEFR levels for researchers and those with an interest in language learning and teaching. The link below is to a paper outlining how these clips were selected and the processes of data analysis, verification and calibration that enabled us to identify them as typical of their stated levels.
Project overview: Examples of Speaking Performances
at CEFR Levels A2 to C2 (PDF 170Kb)
