At Duolingo, we use the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) to set goals for different language proficiency levels when we design our courses. The levels are labeled A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2, and they cover increasingly complex language needs.
You can certify your C1 level of English by taking the Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or the C1 Advanced. You can also choose the C1 Business Higher, the IELTS, the TOEIC, the TOEFL, or the Aptis, among others.
The Level C1 in German requires a very high language level and is therefore correspondingly difficult. For many students, the C1 level in German is a great challenge. However, there are also many resources to prepare for the exam. With the right motivation and the will to pass the exam, anyone can pass the C1 level!
SKILLS AT LEVEL C1
He/she can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for the right expression. He/she can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes.
C1 English (Advanced)
Level C1 corresponds to users who can express themselves fluently and spontaneously. They can use language flexibly and effectively for all purposes.
Duolingo can aid in your journey to become fluent, but if you aren't actively practicing the language with a native speaker or practicing your comprehension skills by listening to native conversations (like using movies, podcasts, Youtube, etc), then you will not become fluent.
When you reach C1, you should have a working vocabulary of about 8000 words – almost double that of B2! It takes approximately 700-800 hours with the language to pass the C1 Cambridge examination.
The C1 level would allow for full autonomy in a native English-speaking country. According to the official CEFR guidelines, someone at the C1 level in English: Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning.
C1 is perfectly adequate as a level for your source language (the language you translate from). Your target language (the language you translate into) should be your mother tongue/native level.
This means reading, listening to, and watching English content on a regular basis. It is also helpful to practice speaking and writing in English as often as you can. Another tip for increasing your level is to focus on improving your grammar and vocabulary.
B2 First – Level C1
If you achieve a scale score of 180–190 (grade A) in your exam, you will receive the First Certificate in English stating that you demonstrated ability at Level C1.
Originally, levels were basically a way of grading you. Again, this either depended on how much XP you had earned in your target language, or how many crowns you had earned. Now, a level on Duolingo is simply a stepping stone. There's no grading involved.
Scores on the Duolingo English Test are reported on a scale from 10–160.
C1 is an advanced user level (stand-alone level). This means that you have the following capabilities: Understand long and demanding texts and grasp implicit meanings. Speak spontaneously and fluently without having to search for words.
In order to progress to C2 level, students need to work on their pronunciation and intonation to sound like native speakers. Additionally, they should be able to communicate effectively with native speakers on abstract topics and handle difficult conversations as well as discuss any topic without difficulty.
There are six levels of language proficiency (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) according to the CEFR scale. They are grouped into three broader levels: A1-A2 (Basic User), B1-B2 (Independent User), and C1-C2 (Proficient User).
To optimize your learning, aim to spend between 15 and 30 minutes on the app each day. If you're struggling to commit a decent amount of time to your learning, try breaking the time up throughout your day. You could spend five minutes practicing in the morning, another five at lunchtime, and five more in the evening.
Even with some of the well-developed courses, Duolingo may not be enough to completely teach a language to fluency. As mentioned earlier, Duolingo is great for getting a base in a language—but don't expect to get to advanced fluency on Duolingo alone.
When signing up for Duolingo, you set a daily goal. You can choose between 5, 10, 15 or 20 minutes a day. Most of the Duolingo marketing touts “Spending 15 minutes a day learning a new language.” So, if you have 387.5 hours of material to get through – and you practice for 15 minutes a day – that's 1,550 days.
A well-educated native English speaker is technically at a C2 level. Relatively few English learners reach this level because their professional or academic goals do not require it.
At Duolingo, we're developing our courses to get you to a level called B2, at which you can get a job in the language you're studying. Reaching that kind of proficiency requires dedication, varied practice opportunities, and a lot of time.
C1 Advanced Scale Scores
The examination also provides reliable assessment at the level above C1 (Level C2) and the level below (Level B2). Scores between 142 and 159 are also reported for C1 Advanced. You will not receive a certificate, but your Cambridge English Scale score will be shown on your Statement of Results.