What is level C1?

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR or CEF for short) is a standardized guideline used to describe achievements of learners of foreign languages across Europe and beyond. At Expath's language schools in Berlin, we follow these guidelines in all of our German classes. 

These levels are classified as A1 for beginners, A2 for elementary, B1 for intermediate, B2 for upper intermediate, C1 as advanced, and C2 as mastery. Expath, like many other language schools, splits these levels in half to accommodate students’ time and budget planning (e.g. level A1 is split into A1.1 and A1.2). To start with level A1, you are expected to have no knowledge of German. 

After completing level C1, you can:

  • understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning.
  • express ideas fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions.
  • use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes and produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

(Source: Wikipedia)


At Expath, level C1 is offered either as one-to-one lessons (in Mitte or Neukölln or externally), or as an in-company course. Please email us at info (at) expath.de if you’re interested.



Listen up, lurkers!

We filmed an entire beginner German course!


More cool stuff from Expath

The best ways to remember gender in German

How's your German? Take our free online test!

How to get a handle on childcare in Berlin

Join us for small online German classes for English speakers

How to go about finding a flat in Berlin and Germany

All the different ways to say you're exhausted in German

Want to work as a freelancer in Germany but need more info?

Want to live and work in Germany but not sure how to do it?

How to obtain an artist visa for Berlin

How do English speakers find jobs in Germany?

All of Expath's German "words of the day"

How to tell time in German

>