C1 and B2 are levels in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which is used to describe learners’ language proficiency. C1 represents an advanced level of proficiency, while B2 represents an upper intermediate level. There is an ongoing debate among language teachers and learners about whether C1 is “better” than B2. In this article, we will compare the two levels and look at the pros and cons of achieving C1 proficiency versus stopping at B2.
What is C1 level?
C1 is the second highest level in the CEFR scale. It is described as “Effective Operational Proficiency” and is one level below native or bilingual proficiency (C2). At the C1 level, learners can:
- Understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning
- Express themselves 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
Some examples of C1 level skills are:
- Can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation
- Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations
What is B2 level?
B2 is the third level in the CEFR scale and is described as “Vantage” or “Upper Intermediate.” It is two levels below native proficiency. At the B2 level, learners can:
- Understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics
- Interact with native speakers quite easily without strain for either party
- Produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects
- Explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options
Some examples of B2 level skills are:
- Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialization
- Can interact with native speakers quite easily without strain for either party
- Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options
Comparison of C1 and B2
Now that we have an overview of the two levels, let’s directly compare C1 and B2 across different aspects of language proficiency:
Listening
At the C1 level, learners can understand a wide range of audio material including abstract, complex topics beyond their own field. They are able to follow specialized lectures and presentations employing a high degree of colloquialism, regional usage or unfamiliar terminology. At the B2 level, listeners can understand standard spoken language, live or broadcast, on both familiar and unfamiliar topics normally encountered in personal, social, academic or vocational life. B2 listeners still may struggle with highly idiomatic usage and dialects.
Reading
C1 learners are very adept at reading with a broad active reading vocabulary. They can understand and interpret critically virtually all forms of written language. B2 learners are able to read correspondence, reports and texts with a large amount of unfamiliar terminology. They may still struggle with low-frequency idioms and culturally-specific references.
Spoken Interaction
At the C1 level, speakers express themselves fluently and spontaneously with a high degree of precision. They can differentiate finer shades of meaning and tailor language to the context. B2 speakers are able to use the language flexibly for social purposes, including emotional, allusive and joking usage. However, they may not have a broad range of idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms at their disposal.
Spoken Production
C1 speakers can present clear, detailed descriptions of complex topics, integrating subthemes, developing particular points and concluding. B2 speakers can give clear, detailed descriptions on a range of subjects related to their field of interest. They can explain a viewpoint, but may not be able to develop complex or nuanced arguments.
Writing
At the C1 level, writers can express themselves precisely in writing using language flexibly and effectively. They have a broad range of vocabulary, idioms and colloquialisms at their disposal. B2 writers are generally able to articulate experiences and events in detail and explain viewpoints in written form. However, they may lack vocabulary and language skills to write extensively on complex issues.
The Pros and Cons of C1 vs B2
Now that we’ve compared the concrete language skills of each level, let’s look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of achieving C1 proficiency vs stopping at B2:
Pros of C1
- Ability to understand virtually any spoken or written text
- Fluent, spontaneous communication in the language
- Ability to tailor language to context with precision
- Ability to differentiate finer shades of meaning
- Near native-level fluency and range of expression
Cons of C1
- Requires extensive study time and immersion experiences
- High financial cost of advanced language instruction
- Difficulty finding C1-specific learning materials
- Small marginal benefits compared to B2 in some professional contexts
Pros of B2
- Ability to comfortably interact with native speakers
- High degree of fluency and range of expression
- Ability to understand the main ideas of complex texts
- Possibility to work in many professional contexts
- Usually sufficient for citizenship requirements
Cons of B2
- Gaps in understanding highly idiomatic or technical language
- Lack of fluency and precision to discuss complex issues
- Difficulty understanding regional dialects and accents
- Not adequate for some advanced professional roles
- Perceived as not fully “mastering” the language
Is C1 considered “fluent”?
There is no universal agreement on what exactly constitutes fluency in a language. However, most institutions and experts consider C1 to represent a very advanced level of fluency. At the C1 level speakers have extensive vocabulary, grammatical accuracy, comprehension ability, and cultural knowledge to communicate flexibly on diverse topics. While B2 speakers have a degree of fluency, C1 represents mastery of the language just short of a native or bilingual level. So in summary, yes, C1 speakers are widely considered fluent, while B2 speakers have not reached advanced language mastery.
Should you aim for C1 or be satisfied with B2?
Whether to aim for C1 or be satisfied with B2 depends entirely on your personal goals and needs:
- If you need very advanced language skills for professional or academic reasons, C1 is likely worth the effort. Examples are jobs in diplomacy, simultaneous interpreting, multinational corporations, etc.
- If you are living or working in the language environment, C1 will allow fuller social and cultural integration.
- If your goal is basic professional competence or travel/relocation to the country, B2 is probably sufficient.
- If time and money are limited, achieving B2 may be more realistic.
Here is a quick comparison of situations where C1 or B2 might be recommended:
| Goal/context | Recommended level |
|---|---|
| Advanced professional use (e.g. diplomacy, medicine) | C1 |
| Post-graduate academic study | C1 |
| Work in multinational corporation | C1 |
| Integrate fully into adopted culture/country | C1 |
| Work in service industry | B2 |
| Undergraduate study abroad | B2 |
| Long term relocation | B2 |
| Travel/tourism | B2 |
As a rule of thumb, if you need to fully master the language at a professional level or want to pass as a well-educated native speaker, C1 is worth the investment. If basic fluency for living, traveling or undergraduate study is sufficient, achieving B2 will allow you to comfortably use the language.
Conclusion
In summary, C1 represents a very high level of mastery in a language, while B2 indicates a solid intermediate proficiency. C1 speakers have extensive vocabulary, grasp of idioms and ability to communicate effortlessly, while B2 speakers still have some gaps in unusual or complex language situations. There are advantages and disadvantages to aiming for an advanced C1 proficiency compared to being satisfied with B2 level fluency. For most non-specialist purposes, B2 provides a high degree of ability to use the language comfortably in work and social contexts. But professionals, scholars and people integrating fully into a culture may benefit from the added time and effort to achieve C1 proficiency.