How to list your language levels on your CV

The European A1-C2 scale in brief

The most credible way to list a language on your CV is the scale from the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). It's the recognised standard across Europe and is built around six levels:

• A1-A2: basic. You understand and use simple, everyday phrases.
• B1-B2: intermediate. At B2 you can hold your own in professional settings: meetings, emails, phone calls.
• C1-C2: advanced. At C2 you're near-native, even on complex topics.

For your first language, simply write native, without assigning it a CEFR level.

Why you should skip percentages and star ratings

Progress bars, percentages ("English 80%") and rows of stars are the first sign of a sloppy CV. They can't be verified and tell a recruiter nothing concrete: what does 80% of a language even mean? On top of that, many ATS systems can't read these graphic elements. The A1-C2 scale, by contrast, is clear, standardised text that both a person and a piece of software can understand. Always use the levels or, failing that, sharp text labels: native, fluent, professional, basic.

Be honest: the test comes at the interview

Inflating your level is a mistake you pay for fast. A recruiter can switch the interview into English at any moment, and a B2 you've claimed but can't back up in the first two minutes wrecks your credibility across the whole CV. An honest B1 beats a C1 in name only. When you're torn between two levels, pick the lower one: underselling is recoverable, getting caught out is not.

To self-assess, check yourself against the CEFR descriptors. If you can run a work meeting and pick up on the nuances, you're somewhere between B2 and C1. If you can manage simple conversations, you're B1.

Add the certificate when you have one

A certificate turns a self-assessment into an objective fact. If you have one, put it next to the level:

• English C1 — IELTS 7.0
• French B2 — DELF B2
• Spanish B1 — DELE B1

German (Goethe), French (DELF/DALF), Spanish (DELE) and English (IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge) are among the most widely recognised. Without a certificate, you don't have to stay silent about your level: just self-assess honestly on the A1-C2 scale.

Where and how to list languages

Languages are hard skills in every sense: measurable and verifiable. That's why they deserve a dedicated "Languages" section, separate from generic skills, usually after education and skills. If language ability is central to the role (export sales, international customer care), highlight it in your profile summary at the top as well.

Want to see how languages fit into the bigger picture of what you can do? Read the pillar guide on the right skills for your CV, where we explain how to balance hard and soft skills.

When you're ready to put it all down in black and white, use the free EuroCV CV builder: the languages section with the A1-C2 scale is ready to go, ATS-readable and unlimited on the Free plan.