A new year is a great moment to reflect and set new goals. For many expats in the Netherlands, this includes learning Dutch or taking the next step to use Dutch more confidently in their daily lives.
When looking for a course, you quickly come across labels like A1, A2 or B1. These levels come from the CEFR – the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. But what do they actually mean in practice?
What is the CEFR?
The CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) was developed by the Council of Europe to create a clear, shared way of describing language ability across countries and languages.
The framework describes what language users who have acquired a new language can do, and how well and efficiently they can do it. It uses six levels, from A1 (basic user) to C2 (proficient user), and is based on practical can-do statements rather than vague labels like “good” or “advanced”.
In 2020, the CEFR was expanded with the Companion Volume, which adds new descriptors and better reflects how people use language in real life today.
The four kinds of language activity
In the updated CEFR, language use is described through four different kinds of activities:
- Reception – understanding spoken and written language (listening & reading)
- Production – producing language (speaking & writing)
- Interaction – communicating with others (spoken & written)
- Mediation – helping others understand meaning
Mediation is often new for learners. It includes skills such as summarising information, explaining something in simpler words, or passing on the main message of a text to someone else. This is something we do very naturally in everyday life, and as of 2020, the CEFR now describes it explicitly in the Companion Volume.
How levels differ in practice
As your level increases, the topics you can talk about become less concrete, and more accuracy, structure and independence are expected. Here are some more detailed examples from the three levels I teach here at Active Dutch.
A1 – Concrete and immediate
You can communicate about basic needs and people around you using simple sentences.
- Ik drink koffie. ( I drink coffee.)
- Dit is mijn huis. (This is my house.)
A2 – familiar situations and simple information
You can describe everyday activities, routines and personal information in short, clear sentences.
- Ik woon hier twee jaar. (I’ve lived here for two years.)
- Ik doe meestal boodschappen bij AH. (I usually do my grocery shopping at AH.)
B1 – Explaining, giving reasons and describing experiences
You can participate actively in conversations about everyday topics. You can explain opinions, give reasons and describe experiences using connected sentences.
- Ik ben in Alphen a/d Rijn komen wonen, omdat de huizen hier betaalbaar zijn. (I moved to Alphen a/d Rijn, because the houses here are affordable.)
- Ik doe mijn boodschappen bij AH, omdat het dichtbij is en ze veel biologische producten hebben. (I do my grocery shopping at AH, because it’s close by and they have lots of organic products.)
Why the CEFR matters
The CEFR gives learners and teachers a shared reference point. It helps set realistic expectations, track progress, and focus on real communication instead of mistakes.
More importantly, it helps you formulate meaningful goals: not just “I want a B1 level”, but “I want to talk to my child’s teacher and ask questions” or “I want to explain my opinion in a discussion about books with my Dutch friends.”
My final thoughts…
The CEFR is not a checklist you have to “complete”. It’s a tool – a way to describe growth, confidence and independence in a new language.
At Active Dutch, I use the CEFR as a guide, always translated into the real-life Dutch you’ll use in your daily life, because learning a language is ultimately about participating more fully in the life you’re building here in the Netherlands.
You can learn more about my Dutch course options, or contact me for more information. I would also encourage you to sign up to receive my newsletter in which I share updates and exclusive Dutch learning content for expats! If you want to get to know me and my teaching style first, you are welcome to check out student testimonials or book a free intake session!
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