Language skill level descriptions

Language skill level descriptions have six levels that are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) skill levels A1–C2 and National Certificates of Language Proficiency (YKI, Yleinen kielitutkinto) skill levels 1–6.

A

Basic user

A1/YKI 1

  • Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at meeting immediate needs
  • Can introduce themselves and others, and ask and answer questions about personal details such as name, address, and nationality
  • Can interact in a simple way, provided the other person speaks slowly, clearly, and is prepared to help

A2/YKI 2

  • Can understand commonly used phrases and sentences related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g., basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment)
  • Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a direct exchange of basic information
  • Can describe aspects of their background, immediate environment, and matters in areas of immediate need using simple language

B

Idependent user

B1/YKI 3

  • Can manage most situations likely to arise in everyday interactions related to work, travel, or social life
  • Can understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar topics, including slow-paced TV programs and conversations
  • Can read straightforward texts that use everyday or job-related
  • Can write simple, connected texts on familiar topics and respond briefly to routine inquiries
  • Has sufficient command of basic grammar and vocabulary to communicate in a clear and understandable manner

B2/YKI 4

  • Can handle most communicative tasks and social or work-related situations with confidence, including some unfamiliar ones
  • Can express ideas clearly and organize them into coherent, well-structured statements, supporting opinions effectively
  • Can distinguish between formal and informal registers and use an appropriate tone depending on the context
  • Can understand extended speech and lectures and follow more complex lines of reasoning when the topic is reasonably familiar
  • Can follow most TV news and current affairs programs, though may miss some detail; fast or dialectal speech can still present challenges
  • Can read general texts and contemporary prose with understanding, and extract information, ideas, and opinions from specialized
  • Can write clear, detailed texts on familiar topics such as essays or reports, explaining facts and giving reasons to support or oppose a particular viewpoint
  • Has a good command of grammar and vocabulary and can switch appropriately between formal and informal writing styles

C

Proficient user

C1/YKI 5

  • Can speak clearly, fluently, and effectively in a wide range of social, professional, and academic situations
  • Can give structured, well-prepared presentations on familiar or chosen topics, using language flexibly and confidently
  • Can follow most lectures, discussions, and debates with ease, even when language is implicit or loosely organized
  • Can understand spoken language even when it’s not clearly structured or when meaning is implied rather than directly stated
  • Can comprehend a wide variety of written texts, including literary works and materials with complex grammar and vocabulary
  • Can understand specialized language in articles, reports, and technical instructions—even if the content is outside their field
  • Can write well-organized, clear texts on complex subjects—such as essays, reports, or formal letters—highlighting key points and expressing viewpoints in a personal yet appropriate tone
  • Has strong command of grammar and vocabulary, though may occasionally encounter difficulty with rare or nuanced expressions

C2/YKI 6

  • Can speak very fluently, accurately, and with appropriate style in virtually all situations
  • Has a strong command of grammar and a wide-ranging vocabulary suitable for both formal and informal contexts
  • Can understand any kind of spoken language with ease, including fast, idiomatic native speech
  • Can read and comprehend virtually all types of written texts without difficulty
  • Can write clear, well-structured, and stylistically appropriate texts on complex subjects with precision and nuance

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