When you want to sign up for an English or Russian course, the first question is usually: "What is my level?" Labels like A1, B2 and C1, which you often see in courses and textbooks, come from the Council of Europe's CEFR scale. This article is for language learners, parents and anyone who wants to state their language level correctly on a CV: we explain in plain language what each level means and describe the levels of the TORFL (TRKI) test for Russian.
What is CEFR?
CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is a framework of the Council of Europe. According to the Council of Europe, it organizes language proficiency into six levels, from A1 to C2. These levels are divided into three groups:
| Group | Levels |
|---|---|
| Basic User | A1, A2 |
| Independent User | B1, B2 |
| Proficient User | C1, C2 |
The descriptions below are based on the Council of Europe's global scale (Table 1).
How can you check your level yourself?
Use a simple method while reading the descriptions below:
- Starting from A1, read the description of each level.
- For each one, ask yourself: "Can I do this comfortably?"
- Note the highest level you can handle comfortably, and test it on real texts, textbook exercises or in a conversation with a teacher.
This is not an official exam result, but it helps you choose where to start a course.
A1 and A2: Basic User
- At A1, the learner understands and uses familiar everyday expressions and very simple sentences aimed at concrete needs.
- At A2, the learner understands sentences and frequently used expressions on topics close to everyday life — for example, personal and family information, shopping, where they live, work.
As you can see, at these two levels the focus is mainly on familiar, everyday and concrete topics.
What are the B1 and B2 levels?
- At B1, the learner understands the main points of what is said or written in clear standard language on familiar topics such as work, school and leisure.
- At B2, the learner understands the main ideas of complex texts on concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialization.
Together, B1 and B2 make up the "Independent User" group, and B2 is the upper step of this group.
C1 and C2: Proficient User
- At C1, the learner understands a wide range of demanding, long texts and can grasp implicit meaning.
- At C2, the learner easily understands virtually everything they hear and read.
Russian: TORFL (TRKI) levels and CEFR
Russia's state test of Russian as a foreign language is called TORFL (TRKI). According to the Language Testing Center of Saint Petersburg State University, this test consists of exams corresponding to six levels. Official testing centers, including the A.S. Pushkin Russian Language Institute, map these levels to the European scale as follows:
| TORFL (TRKI) level | CEFR equivalent |
|---|---|
| Elementary level (TEU) | A1 |
| Basic level (TBU) | A2 |
| First level (TRKI-I) | B1 |
| Second level (TRKI-II) | B2 |
| Third level (TRKI-III) | C1 |
| Fourth level (TRKI-IV) | C2 |
According to the Pushkin Institute, the TORFL (TRKI) test consists of 5 parts (subtests):
- Reading
- Writing
- Vocabulary and grammar
- Listening
- Speaking
According to the same source, the TORFL (TRKI) certificate is a state-standard certificate.
Summary
- CEFR organizes language proficiency into six levels, from A1 to C2.
- The levels are divided into three groups: basic (A1, A2), independent (B1, B2) and proficient (C1, C2) user.
- At B2, the learner understands the main ideas of complex texts on concrete and abstract topics.
- The TORFL (TRKI) test for Russian consists of exams corresponding to six levels and of five subtests; official testing centers map these levels to A1–C2.
At Estavor Academy, English and Russian courses are held online only — in individual or group format. If you're not sure which level to start from, send your question on WhatsApp: +994 77 754 10 12.
📚 Sources
🌐 The original article is in Azerbaijani; the official sources are available in Azerbaijani.
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