CEFR · 6 levels
Spanish language levels: A1–C2
How many levels of Spanish are there? Under the CEFR framework — six: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. Below is a practical checklist: what you can actually do at each level and which next step in a programme genuinely makes sense.
Levels checklist
A1–C2: what you can do at each level
The table is a short guideline. Hours are given approximately from scratch and depend on pace, practice and goals; they are not a promise of a timeline.
| Level | Name | What you can do | Hours (guideline) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Beginner | Introduce yourself, ask simple questions about yourself, understand slow speech | ≈ 60–80 hrs |
| A2 | Elementary | Shopping, food, family, plans; simple exchange in everyday situations | ≈ 180–200 hrs |
| B1 | Intermediate | Travel, connected text on familiar topics, explain your position briefly | ≈ 350–400 hrs |
| B2 | Upper-intermediate | More fluently with native speakers, complex texts, arguments for and against | ≈ 500–600 hrs |
| C1 | Advanced | Fluent speech, flexible language for study and work, complex texts | ≈ 700–800 hrs |
| C2 | Mastery | Almost any spoken/written material; subtle shades of meaning | ≈ 1000–1200 hrs |
How to use it: mark the nearest level where your skills are already stable. If you hesitate between two — confirm the programme with us; we do not «sell» a level without a skills benchmark.
The next step in a programme
The checklist shows where you are now. Next comes a measurable step: choose a format (online or in-person intensive in Valencia), with no promises of a «level in a month».
A1 — Beginner
“I can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type.”
At this level you will be able to:
- •Introduce yourself and introduce others
- •Ask and answer questions about personal details
- •Have a simple conversation if the other person speaks slowly and is ready to help
- •Understand and use familiar phrases and everyday expressions
How long it takes to reach level A1:
Guideline: about 60–80 hours of lessons (not a guaranteed timeline)
A2 — Elementary
“I can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance.”
At this level you will be able to:
- •Describe family, living conditions, education and work
- •Go shopping and order food in restaurants
- •Talk about past events and future plans
- •Communicate in simple everyday situations that require a direct exchange of information
How long it takes to reach level A2:
Guideline: about 180–200 hours of lessons from scratch (not a guaranteed timeline)
B1 — Intermediate
“I can understand the main points of clear standard text and deal with most situations that arise while travelling.”
At this level you will be able to:
- •Communicate while travelling in a Spanish-speaking country
- •Produce connected text on topics that are familiar to you
- •Describe experiences, events, dreams and plans
- •Briefly explain your point of view and plans
How long it takes to reach level B1:
Guideline: about 350–400 hours of lessons from scratch (not a guaranteed timeline)
B2 — Upper-intermediate
“I can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions.”
At this level you will be able to:
- •Communicate with native speakers fluently and spontaneously
- •Write clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects
- •Explain your point of view on current issues
- •Give arguments for and against a particular position
How long it takes to reach level B2:
Guideline: about 500–600 hours of lessons from scratch (not a guaranteed timeline)
C1 — Advanced
“I can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts and recognise implicit meaning.”
At this level you will be able to:
- •Express yourself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions
- •Use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes
- •Produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects
- •Demonstrate controlled use of organisational patterns and connectors
How long it takes to reach level C1:
Guideline: about 700–800 hours of lessons from scratch (not a guaranteed timeline)
C2 — Mastery
“I can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read.”
At this level you will be able to:
- •Summarise information from different spoken and written sources
- •Speak spontaneously with high fluency and precision
- •Convey finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations
- •Use the language at a level close to native speakers
How long it takes to reach level C2:
Guideline: about 1000–1200 hours of lessons from scratch (not a guaranteed timeline)
Confirm the programme after finding your level
At the Taronja school you can confirm your current level and choose a suitable format — an in-person intensive in Valencia or online. We do not promise a level within a fixed number of weeks; we help you choose an honest next step based on your skills and goals.