What is the Common European Framework of Reference?

The Common European Reference Framework is an international standard created in 2001 by the Council of Europe, an organization whose purpose is to create a common space between the European states where democracy, rights and the law prevail. It obeys to standardize and to be able to measure the capacities, abilities and control of the use of any language on the part of an individual, establishing three main categories:

1. Understanding the language, which involves listening and reading comprehension skills.

2. Speaking the language, this category involves the ability of interaction and oral expression

3. Writing the language, It measures the dexterity and ability in written expression.

Structure of the MCRE

The MCRE is structured by three levels of language management and control, which in turn are divided into two sublevels, each being:

Level A (Basic)

Sublevel A1

It could be considered that this is the most elementary level of the ladder, where the user can understand and use frequently used expressions, the interaction with the interlocutor is elementary at this level

Main features

At this level, both listening and reading comprehension is elementary and is limited to very basic vocabulary and expressions. Interaction and oral expression are very limited, the user can intervene in basic conversations, where the interlocutor must be willing to repeat the expressions said and even forced to speak slowly. The user is able to fill in personal information in forms.

Sublevel A2

At this level, the user can understand everyday expressions with greater ease and acquires a certain degree of dexterity to express himself using expressions in the past tense.

Main features

The user is able to read very short and simple texts, such as advertisements, brochures, menus and schedules and can understand short and simple personal letters. The user is able to understand simple dialogues, acquires greater understanding and a certain degree of expressing himself in the past tense, however, it is still difficult for him to maintain a fluid and natural conversation.

Level B (Independent)

Sublevel B1

He moves with greater and better ease within issues that are familiar to him both at work, study and leisure, he is relatively capable of using language as a communication instrument on trips and visits to English-speaking countries.

Main features

The user understands exhibitions or speeches at school or work level, is able to understand the dialogues in radio or television programs, presents a greater degree of development in trips where it is necessary to use the English language, better structures ideas and is It is possible to participate in dialogues where the topics are related to daily life.

Sublevel B2

The user is able to understand complex texts, even of a technical nature as long as they are within their area of ​​expertise. At this level, he has developed the ability to interact with a high degree of fluency and security with native speakers without requiring much effort to do so.

Main features

The user is able to follow the plot line of speeches or conferences, develops the ability to understand television programs in general, is more efficient when reading articles related to contemporary problems. He manages to develop the ability to maintain a conversation with a certain degree of fluency with native speakers, where he is able to defend and argue his points of view.

Level C (Proficient)

Sublevel C1

He develops the ability to understand a wide range of texts with a scientific nature, he can express himself fluently, naturally and in a fluid and spontaneous way without effort. He is able to use the language at a social, academic and professional level, with a correct use of the structure and the articulation of ideas.

Main features

The user has a high understanding of technical-level speeches within their field of profession as well as a broad understanding of reading literary texts, makes effective use of language for social, work and professional purposes, capable of formulating ideas that allow interaction with native speakers.

Sublevel C2

Total autonomy in handling the English language in all its forms of expression.

Main features

The user is able to understand various dialects of the English language, without any difficulty to understand conversations, even if these occur at a higher or normal speed of the native speaker, is able to read and understand practically all forms of language written in the language English. He articulates ideas in a written way with such solvency that he can develop, reviews, summaries, write articles.

What is an MCRE certification for?

Obtaining a certification with the endorsement of the MCRE is not only an achievement on a personal level, but it opens the doors to a series of infinite possibilities, since the scope of application of these certifications ranges from the workplace where and at the present time. Many professionals are required by their employers to have at least a B2 level of English knowledge, as well as in the field of academia where and currently in most Latin American countries, university students are already required In order to approve their careers having obtained a B2 certification.