Arabic Language Proficiency Levels: A CEFR-Based Framework for MSA Learners

Defining proficiency levels in Arabic is a crucial concern for both learners aiming for career opportunities and employers seeking clarity on a candidate’s language skills. Yet unlike European languages, Arabic lacks a universally accepted classification system.

Across the Arab world, institutions such as Al-Azhar University (Egypt), the Arabic Language Institute in Karachi, and the Jeddah Arabic Institute (Saudi Arabia) each use their own internal level structures. This diversity makes it difficult to compare learners’ abilities across programs.

In contrast, European languages benefit from the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) — a standardized scale ranging from A1 to C2, with official exams and certificates recognized globally. Naturally, many Arabic learners wonder: Can Arabic proficiency be mapped to CEFR levels?

This article proposes a CEFR-style classification for Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), based on shared features observed across beginner, intermediate, and advanced curricula in major Arabic institutes.

📊 Proposed CEFR Mapping for Arabic

⚠️ Note: This classification is a proposed adaptation. Arabic institutes may use different systems and descriptors.

Core Skills by Level

🔹 A1 Level: Foundational Competence

Phonetics & Reading

• Recognition and pronunciation of all Arabic letters

• Understanding short and long vowels, correct stress placement

• Reading tanween endings and applying ال (al-) article rules

• Differentiating solar and lunar letters, fluent connected reading

• Clear articulation of similar-sounding consonants (e.g. ق-ك, خ-ح-ه)

Grammar Basics

• Feminine noun/adjective formation (ة)

• Relative adjectives (يّ / يّة)

• Case-based tanween endings (-un, -in, -an)

• Demonstrative and attached pronouns

• Common plural forms

• Agreement in noun-adjective phrases

• Numbers 1–10 and time expressions (quarter, third, half hour)

• Construct phrases (إضافة) for possession

Verb Morphology (Sarf)

• Past and present tense for regular verbs (Forms I–X)

• Negation with مَا and لا

• Future tense with prefix سـ

Prepositions

• Expressing possession (لِـ, لَدَى)

• Spatial and directional prepositions (في, إِلَى, بِـ)

Syntax

• Simple nominal and verbal sentence construction

• Questions using كم, ما, من, أين, متى

Lexical Range

• Greetings, introductions

• Talking about profession, nationality, family

• Shopping, housing, asking for help

• Scheduling, days, months, hours

Comprehension & Production

• Reading vocalized text

• Responding to basic questions

• Listening to short phrases

• Writing letters in isolation and connected form

• Producing short sentences

• Describing self, family, home, daily routine, food preferences

🔹 A2 Level: Expanding Functional Use

Grammar

• Dual forms in all cases

• Regular plural formation (masculine/feminine)

• Agreement with plural pronouns

• Numbers: tens, hundreds, thousands

• Telling exact time

• Complex إضافة with multiple elements

Verb Morphology

• Full conjugation of regular verbs (Forms I–IX)

• Negation with لَمْ

• Imperative mood

• Use of لَيْسَ and كَانَ

• Active participles

• Subjunctive mood

Prepositions

• Full range of spatial and temporal prepositions

Syntax

• Compound sentences with coordination/subordination

• Advanced questions: لماذا, ما رأيك في, عن ماذا

Lexical Range

• Shopping (food, clothing, electronics)

• Understanding simple news (weather, visits)

• Describing cities and landmarks

• Talking about health, body parts, visiting a doctor

• Renting a car, buying tickets

• Discussing hobbies

Comprehension & Production

• Reading 200–300 word texts

• Inferring meaning from context

• Expressing opinions and reasoning

• Listening to full sentences and slow-paced news

• Filling out forms, replying to messages

• Writing short coherent texts

🔹 B1–B2 Levels: Confident Communication

Grammar

• Adverbs and their formation

• Descriptive adjectives (color, quality)

• Comparative and superlative forms

Verb Morphology

• Irregular verb conjugation

• Passive voice

• Past continuous tense

• Conditional sentences (إن، إذا، لو)

Lexical & Communicative Skills

• Giving full personal background

• Discussing social issues (environment, unemployment, conflict)

• Describing health problems

• Talking about hobbies and lifestyle benefits

• Describing work and commute

• Summarizing news and expressing opinions

🔹 C1–C2 Levels: Near-Native Fluency

• Fluent, spontaneous speech

• Comprehension of fast-paced news and abstract topics

• Confident use of Arabic in academic and professional contexts