Language levels in the CV: levels of foreign language proficiency

Mark the language proficiency levels on your CV with a separate section.

Many candidates include language proficiency information in the Skills section of their CV. This is not a mistake, because the ability to use a foreign language is a key competence in many professions and a considerable asset in a CV. However, if you have more advantages to describe, including knowledge of several foreign languages, it is worth creating a separate section for this purpose.

It doesn’t matter if your document shows fluent or basic knowledge. The most important thing is to present this skill properly, following reality, and legibly. The recruiter does not have time to guess to what extent you use a foreign language. I want it to be described universally and understandably.

This is why it is worth creating a separate section with additional information in your CV, name it and then professionally define your knowledge of the language. You’ll find out how to do it in a minute. For starters, however, check out the CV wizard and see how easy it is to add a section with additional information in this tool.

How do we describe language proficiency grades in a CV?

You already know that language proficiency information needs to be added to your CV, but you don’t know how? If you know your language level, because you have a language certificate in your account or you have completed a relevant level of university classes, it will help you to assess your language abilities well.

What if you did not measure never knowing the language or was it so long ago that everything has changed since then? The solution is simple! It is enough to follow specific guidelines. This is done using the Common European Framework of Reference, the Council of Europe scale, which defines the levels of foreign language proficiency.

You can use the online tests to check your language proficiency. You can also check below how the Council of Europe determines the levels and use these guidelines to describe your language proficiency level on your CV.

Council of Europe language proficiency grades

Language proficiency levels can be divided into three groups:

As you can see, the letter A corresponds to the beginner level, B intermediate, and C advanced. It’s logical and easy to remember. Like the numbers 1 and 2 at each level.

What we showed above is a formula to describe not only the level of foreign language on your CV but also any other foreign language you know. Now let’s move on to the details, i.e., the characteristics of each level of language proficiency. You will be able to judge your level of knowledge of a foreign language yourself.

Level of language knowledge – beginner

A is the basic level of language knowledge. If you define your level as:

• A1 (Beginning, Beginner) – it means that you understand and can use colloquial expressions related to everyday life. You can introduce yourself and form sentences and questions about where you live, what you do, who do you know, etc. You can also talk in a foreign language about simple things, provided that your interlocutor speaks slowly and clearly.
• A2 (Elementary, Pre-intermediate) – this means that you understand the basic information that your interlocutor gives you, i.e., you can talk about simple things, concerning private life, work, family, etc.

Level of language knowledge – Intermediate

B is the intermediate level of language knowledge. If you define your level as:

• B1 (Lower intermediate, Intermediate) – it means that you understand the meaning of the statement that relates to issues and events typical of work, school, free time, etc. You can communicate, for example, during a trip, with a foreigner for whom the foreign language you use is native.
• B2 (Upper intermediate, Pre-advanced) – this means that you can talk freely and even discuss familiar topics in a foreign language. You talk fluently and spontaneously. You can take a position in a discussion and formulate clear written and oral statements.

Language level – Advanced

C is the advanced level of language knowledge. If you define your level as:

• C1 (Advanced) – it means that you understand really complicated texts and content in a foreign language. You can perceive the irony and the various hidden meanings of the statements. You formulate your content freely and error-free.
• C2 – (Proficient) this means that you speak a foreign language fluently and do not have any communication problems related to formulating statements. You can understand both the written and spoken word, no matter how complex the topic is.

Do you write your CV immediately in a foreign language? Before you go to work, check out the English CV template and learn some basic phrases for an English CV. Thanks to this, you can easily and practically present language skills in your CV. And if you’re applying for a job in the US, check to see if you need a resume or a CV.

Knowledge of German also according to the above guidelines.

Language Proficiency Levels and Grades in CV – Additional Tips

Finally, we have a note. It concerns language certificates. If you have this type of diploma, be sure to include this information in the Foreign languages ​​ section of your CV. For those who choose to include a language mention in Skills, the best place to get language certifications is in the Courses, Training & Certifications section of your CV. Even though your language proficiency level is related to your education, please do not include it in the Education section of your CV, where your schools should be located.

It is also worth remembering about Europass CV. It is a document created by the European Union to standardize the application and thus equalize the chances of candidates from different countries of the community. The Europass CV includes a so-called language passport. It allows you to independently assess your language skills and is useful when you go to work in one of the European countries.

If you don’t want to bother with formatting your curriculum vitae or you just don’t have time to create a document yourself, the CV wizard will help you. It is an intuitive, convenient tool, thanks to which you can easily create a professional document and choose the most suitable CV template.