CEFR Vocabulary Descriptors

maintain consistently correct and appropriate use of vocabulary.

use less common vocabulary idiomatically and appropriately.

communicate with occasional minor slips, but no significant vocabulary errors.

maintain a generally high level of lexical accuracy, though some confusion and incorrect word choice does occur without hindering communication.

maintain good control of elementary vocabulary but major errors still occur when expressing more complex thoughts or handling unfamiliar topics and situations.

use a wide range of simple vocabulary appropriately when discussing familiar topics.

control a narrow repertoire dealing with concrete, everyday needs.

No descriptors available

draw upon a good command of a very broad lexical repertoire including idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms; shows awareness of connotative levels of meaning.

draw upon a good command of a broad lexical repertoire allowing gaps to be readily overcome with circumlocutions; little obvious searching for expressions or avoidance strategies.

select from several vocabulary options in almost all situations by exploiting synonyms of even words less commonly encountered.

employ a good command of common idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms; can play with words fairly well.

understand and use appropriately the range of technical vocabulary and idiomatic expressions common to their area of specialisation.

understand and use the main technical terminology of their field, when discussing their area of specialisation with other specialists.

draw upon a good range of vocabulary for matters connected to their field and most general topics.

vary formulation to avoid frequent repetition, but lexical gaps can still cause hesitation and circumlocution.

produce appropriate collocations of many words in most contexts fairly systematically.

understand and use much of the specialist vocabulary of their field but has problems with specialist terminology outside it.

draw upon a good range of vocabulary related to familiar topics and everyday situations.

draw upon sufficient vocabulary to express themselves with some circumlocutions on most topics pertinent to their everyday life such as family, hobbies and interests, work, travel and current events.

draw upon sufficient vocabulary to conduct routine everyday transactions involving familiar situations and topics.

draw upon sufficient vocabulary for the expression of basic communicative needs.

draw upon sufficient vocabulary for coping with simple survival needs.

draw upon a basic vocabulary repertoire of words and phrases related to particular concrete situations.