How to write your English level on your CV
Pick your CEFR level and where the line will go. You get two or three lines ready to paste into your CV, LinkedIn profile or cover letter, written in the standard CEFR form recruiters recognise.
Your copy-ready lines
Choose your level above to see lines for your CV.
Why a CEFR level works on a CV
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) describes language ability in six levels, from A1 to C2. Each level has a published meaning, so “B2” tells a recruiter in Madrid, Dubai or Toronto the same thing. Words like “good”, “advanced” or “fluent” do not: they depend on who wrote them.
Keep the line short and put it where a reader looks for it: a Languages or Skills section near your qualifications. Use the same format for every language you list, and give the CEFR level for each one.
Examples by level (A2 to C2)
| CV line | What a reader can expect |
|---|---|
| English – A2 (CEFR)Elementary | Can read short, simple texts such as notices, menus and timetables, and handle routine tasks and short social exchanges. |
| English – B1 (CEFR)Intermediate | Can read everyday and job-related texts, and deal with most situations while travelling and join conversations on familiar topics. |
| English – B2 (CEFR)Upper-Intermediate | Can read articles and reports on current issues, and take an active part in discussions and explain a point of view. |
| English – C1 (CEFR)Advanced | Can read long, complex texts, including specialised articles, and express ideas fluently and use English flexibly for work and study. |
| English – C2 (CEFR)Proficient | Can read virtually all forms of written English, including abstract and complex texts, and take part in any conversation and convey finer shades of meaning precisely. |
Self-declared or documented level?
Most people write a self-declared level, and that is fine if it is honest. Choose the level you can show on an ordinary day, not your best one: many employers check English during the interview, and a level that does not hold up costs more than a lower, accurate one.
A documented level adds something a self-declared one cannot: a way to check it. A certificate with a unique ID and a verification link turns the line on your CV into a fact a recruiter can confirm in a few seconds, without contacting you.
International English Test is an ALTE Associate Member. Over 135,000 certificates have been issued, used in 210+ countries.
Related reading
Questions about English on your CV
How do I write my English level on a CV?
Write the language, the CEFR level and the name of the scale on one line, for example “English – B2 (CEFR)”. Put it in a Languages or Skills section near your qualifications. If you hold a certificate, add the issuer and a verification link so a reader can check the level.
Should I write “fluent” or a CEFR level?
A CEFR level. “Fluent” means different things to different readers and cannot be checked, while each CEFR level from A1 to C2 has a published description that reads the same to any recruiter.
What if I don't know my CEFR level?
Measure it before you write it. The English Level Test has 60 questions, takes about 30 minutes and gives you a CEFR level from A1 to C2. A certificate is optional, from £12.99.
How do I show my English level on LinkedIn?
LinkedIn's Languages section offers a fixed list of proficiency options, so choose the closest one and state your CEFR level in your About section. If you have a certificate, add it under Licenses & certifications with its verification link.
Can I state a level without a certificate?
Yes. A self-declared level is common on CVs. Choose the level you can show on an ordinary day, because many employers check English during the interview. A certificate with a verification link lets a reader confirm the level instead of taking it on trust.
Will an employer accept a CEFR level or certificate?
Each organisation sets its own English requirements, so check what yours asks for. CEFR levels are a common reference point, which is why many job adverts state a level such as B2 or C1.
Is anything I enter in the tool saved?
No. The lines are put together in your browser, and your level, choices and any link you type are not sent or stored. We only count that the tool and its buttons were used.
Measure your level, then document it
CEFR level test · 60 questions · about 30 minutes · certificate from £12.99