How many German language levels are there? The German language has 6 CEFR levels – starting with A1 (absolute beginner), and ending with C2 (completely fluent).
Is B2 German Considered Fluent? It's generally considered that reaching B2 is having basic fluency. You'll have a vocabulary of about 4000 words.
B1 level German is the third level in the Common European Framework of References (CEFR) for foreign languages. It is the stage ahead of the A1 and A2 exams. When you pass the B1 level exam, means that you are entering an intermediate level of the German language.
C1 level German is considered advanced and shows the holder has full control of German grammar and vocabulary. The only higher CEFR level is C2, which even native German speakers can struggle to reach.
The C2 level exam: Think “very hard” & multiply that by a thousand. The Common European Framework of References for Languages level C2 is one of the hardest possible examinations you can do in any language.
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!
B1 is synonymous with good language skills. B2 is synonymous with very good/fluent language skills. C1 is synonymous with business fluent language skills. C2 is synonymous with (almost) native language level.
A C1 level speaker can also be considered as someone who is a fluent speaker of the language. They will have no problem speaking, reading, writing and understanding the language and don't really need to take pauses to think while they are speaking.
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.
Levels B1 and B2: Here is where you will learn German at an advanced level. You will expand your language skills and after completing level B2 you will be able to communicate independently and in a differentiated way in everyday life and at work.
German A2 exam pattern is quite simple. As it's a language, there are 4 modules- Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. It is a 60 points exam and you have to score a minimum 36 points (60%) to pass the exam.
They say that you need to have completed at least 350 45-minute German lessons/practice sessions to reach B1, which would take roughly a year and a half since most people can't take a lesson every single day in a row.
I have taught many students throughout the years. Even though most of them learn relatively fast and achieve B1/B2 level in about 12 months, just a few of them get to B2 level in 4-8 months. Some character traits make them unique.
If B2 is what many consider “fluent,” then C1 is fluency with increased nuance and understanding. At C1, you can understand subtle jokes in the language, and express yourself with colorful native phrases. When you reach C1, you should have a working vocabulary of about 8000 words – almost double that of B2!
In only four months, you will be able to prepare yourself exhaustively to pass the B2 German exam. Take the best language course from home, at your own pace and according to your availability and schedule.
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.
In summary, C2 level is considered the highest level of proficiency in the CEFR framework, and it's considered as a near-native speaker level of proficiency, but not equivalent to the proficiency of a native speaker.
You can expect to encounter more complex, nuanced texts and questions in C2 Proficiency compared to C1 Advanced. However, both tests are at a high level and success in either qualification will be accepted as proof of English proficiency by most universities.
CEFR-level C1 (advanced)
You can express yourself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. You can use language flexibly and effectively for social and professional purposes.
C1 (Effective operational proficiency or advanced): C1 speakers understand and use advanced grammar and vocabulary. They can actively participate in many social situations, producing well-structured utterances.
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).
You need approximately 4–6 months depending on your interest to complete upto B1 level, C1 will take another 6 months to complete if you do it at a stretch. So if you take everything into count, it would take about 1 year to get C1 level of proficiency in German language. The...
If you want to reach C1 level of proficiency in German, you'll need an active vocabulary of at least 5,000 words. Don't worry, our advanced German vocabulary lists are not that long.