Common European Framework

What is the CEF?

It is an European reference that all nations in the world can use to be able to address your second language level.

Level group	Level group name	Level	Level name	Description
A	Basic user	A1	Breakthrough or beginner	Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce themselves and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people they know and things they have. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
		A2	Waystage or elementary	Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of their background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
B	Independent user	B1	Threshold or intermediate	Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise while travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
		B2	Vantage or upper intermediate	Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialization. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
C	Proficient user	C1	Effective operational proficiency or advanced	Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer clauses, and recognize implicit meaning. Can express ideas fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.
		C2	Mastery or proficiency	Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations.

It works as a guide, people can be in different levels in their different skills/abilities (listening- speaking- writing- reading).

Improving Communication

Here follows a list of activities that can help you guys improve your oral expression in English.

1. Do the homework given by the teacher.
2. Listen to songs in English.
3. Listen to songs in English and search for the meaning of the words ( English dictionary searching for synonyms and antonyms; and google image).
4. Listen to songs in English and sing alone and repeat the lyrics.
5. Do a list of the words you have studied in each class.
6. Create your own dictionary- using words you have learned.
7. Write post-its/notes with everyday expressions and stick around your bedroom, bathroom or in the hallways of your house.
8. Associate new words that you have learned.
9. Write cards to retain the meaning of new words, back and forth, writing on the back the synonym/ antonym of words in English or even pictures/ draws.
10. Try to identify the word classification: verb, noun (substantive), preposition, adjectives, etc.
11. Record yourself reading texts or spontaneous audios to listen afterwards to observe your pronunciation (you can always ask your teacher in case you have any doubts).
12. Record expressions and lines from film/series characters and try to repeat them.
13. Watch some news in Portuguese and after in English or vice-versa, to contextualize it.
14. Read synopses of films and books' abstracts- from books and movies you've read and watched and also from the ones you intent to read/watch;
15. Invite friends to study and to practice English. Teach the things you know to family and friends.
16. When you watch a foreign movie, try not to read the subtitles.