Teacher guide · CEFR and writing

CEFR writing levels, explained for Malaysian English teachers

What each CEFR level looks like in a student's writing, how the levels connect to SPM English Paper 2 and the SPM result slip, and practical ways to move a class up one level.

Last reviewed: 2026-10-11Baca dalam Bahasa Melayu

The six levels, in order

The CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) describes language ability on six levels, grouped in three pairs:

A1 and A2: basic user
B1 and B2: independent user
C1 and C2: proficient user

A1 is the lowest level and C2 the highest. This trips up many parents and students, who read "A" as the top grade the way it works for SPM subject grades. In CEFR, a student at C1 is far more proficient than a student at A1.

What writing looks like at each level

A short, practical summary of each level for written work, based on the Council of Europe's descriptions:

Level	Group	What the student can write	What you notice in class
A1	Basic user	Isolated words, simple phrases and short sentences about themselves: name, family, likes.	Lists rather than sentences that connect.
A2	Basic user	A series of simple sentences on everyday topics, linked with and, but and because.	Short notes and emails that get the message across.
B1	Independent user	Straightforward connected text on familiar topics: a sequence of points, with simple reasons and opinions.	Paragraphs that follow on from each other, with a clear beginning and end.
B2	Independent user	Clear, detailed text on a range of topics, developing an argument with reasons, examples and a point of view.	Writing adapted to the reader and purpose, with varied linking.
C1	Proficient user	Well-structured text on complex topics, expanding points with supporting detail and reaching a fitting conclusion.	Control of tone and organisation; errors are rare.
C2	Proficient user	Smooth, complex writing in an effective style whose structure helps the reader find what matters.	Rarely seen at school level.

A quick tell is how sentences are joined. A2 writers lean on and, but and because. B1 writers sequence points across paragraphs. B2 writers use a wider range of linking to build an argument.

Where CEFR shows up in SPM

The SPM English papers have been aligned to CEFR since 2021. In the writing paper (1119/2), each part is pitched at a different level:

Paper 2 part	Task	Target level
Part 1	Short communicative message, about 80 words	A2
Part 2	Guided writing, 125 to 150 words	B1
Part 3	Extended writing, 200 to 250 words	B2

The SPM result slip also shows a separate line, Tahap Keseluruhan CEFR Bahasa Inggeris: an overall CEFR level for the student's English. It is reported alongside the English subject grade, not instead of it, and the two are different measures. The letters work differently: an A grade is the top of the SPM subject scale, but A1 and A2 are the bottom of the CEFR scale. So a student with an A for English and C1 for CEFR has done well on both, which is the opposite of what many parents first assume.

Beyond school, the Malaysian Examinations Council states B2 as the CEFR level for post-secondary students.

CEFR levels and the 0 to 5 marks are not the same thing

When you mark Paper 2, each criterion gets 0 to 5 marks. Those marks say how well a script does the task at that part's target level. A CEFR level describes the writer's ability overall.

So a full 20 out of 20 on Part 1 shows a very good A2 performance; it does not make the student C1. A strong B2 writer, on the other hand, should find Part 1 easy and score highly across all three parts.

For how the 0 to 5 bands work in detail, see the SPM English Paper 2 marking scheme guide.

Placing a script at a CEFR level

When you want a quick level for a piece of writing, ask these questions in order and stop at the first "no":

A2: Does it get a simple message across in connected sentences, even with errors?
B1: Does it follow a clear sequence across paragraphs, with simple reasons or opinions?
B2: Does it develop an argument or story in detail, suit the reader and purpose, and use varied linking?
C1: Is it well organised on a complex topic, with precise vocabulary and very few errors?

Judge the whole script, not the best sentence. One impressive phrase in an otherwise A2 email is still an A2 email.

Moving a class up one level in writing

A2 to B1: teach paragraphing and sequencing (first, after that, finally), and get students to add one reason to every point.
B1 to B2: move from listing to developing: point, reason, example. Introduce linking for contrast and result (however, as a result, on the other hand), and practise writing for a named reader.
B2 to C1: work on precise vocabulary, varied sentence structures and conclusions that pull the argument together.
For every level: feedback that names the next level's habit ("add a reason here", "link these two paragraphs") moves students faster than marking every error.

See a CEFR level for every essay in your class

Markah marks photographed handwritten essays against the SPM criteria and gives an estimated CEFR level for each one, so you can see where the whole class sits and who is ready to move up. You review every result.

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Common questions

What are the CEFR levels in order?

From lowest to highest: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2. A1 and A2 are basic user levels, B1 and B2 independent user levels, and C1 and C2 proficient user levels.

Is A1 higher than C1 in CEFR?

No. A1 is the lowest CEFR level and C2 is the highest, so C1 is well above A1.

What CEFR level is SPM English?

SPM English Paper 2 targets A2 in Part 1, B1 in Part 2 and B2 in Part 3. The SPM result slip also reports an overall CEFR level for English, separately from the subject grade.

What does the CEFR level on the SPM result slip mean?

It is the student's overall CEFR level for English, shown on the line Tahap Keseluruhan CEFR Bahasa Inggeris. It is a different measure from the English subject grade, so the two do not always match.

What does B1 writing look like?

Straightforward, connected text on familiar topics: points in a clear sequence across paragraphs, with simple reasons and opinions.

Can AI tell me a student's CEFR level?

AI can give a quick estimate from a piece of writing, which is useful for spotting patterns across a class. Treat it as a starting point for your own judgement, not a certificate. Markah shows an estimated level for every essay it marks.

Sources

This guide summarises the CEFR and publicly available examination documents for teachers. It is not an official Council of Europe or Lembaga Peperiksaan document.