Italian is a beautiful Romance language and if you are here before jumping in to learn Italian, I hope we can positively influence you to start your learning at the earliest!

Have you heard people discuss their language skills in terms of level B1 or A2 grammar class etc? For those who have just started learning Italian as a second language or already are a pro with learning languages, understanding the different levels accepted by various universities and employers can be of great advantage. Common European Framework of References for Languages (CEFR) guidelines are used in many countries to assess the language proficiency of an individual.

As per CEFR guidelines, there are six levels of learning which include all the four competencies of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Let us look at each level individually and understand what it means in brief.

A1 is the beginner level where an individual can use very basic expressions, can introduce themselves and others and interact simply if the other person speaks slowly and clearly.

A2 is the elementary level where an individual can understand the frequently used expressions in areas like shopping, family, employment etc. and can communicate about familiar and routine matters simply and directly.

B1 is the intermediate level where an individual can understand the main points of familiar matters related to work and personal life or leisure-related activities.

B2 is the upper intermediate level where an individual can converse with the native speakers fluently and spontaneously without a lot of strain for either party.

C1 level is the level where an individual can use the language flexibly, fluently and effectively for various social, academic and professional reasons. At this level, the individual can produce a detailed and well-structured text on different complex subjects.

C2 is the level at which an individual is virtually able to understand everything that he/she hears or reads. At this stage, the learner can differentiate finer shades of meaning even with the most complex subjects.

Apart from someone who is a complete beginner or has no prior knowledge of Italian, for others who would like to learn the language, knowing their level of Italian can be of immense help in finding the right course and moving ahead in learning Italian. It also gives you a clear idea of where you stand and what your focus would be in the next learning level. This helps in making organized progress with learning Italian.

Now, how can you check your level of Italian? There are many websites that offer free online tests that help you check your level of Italian based on the above-mentioned guidelines.

There are many language learning platforms that offer Italian language courses online. You can either choose to learn in a one-to-one or a group session depending on your comfort. Multibhashi is one such language learning platform where the curriculum is designed based on your current level of Italian and the course helps you move to the next level in a short span of time.