# ACTFL, CEFR and ILR Alignment

Three frameworks describe proficiency differently:

| Framework | Origin | Levels | Use |
|-----------|--------|--------|-----|
| ACTFL | US, American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages | Novice L/M/H, Intermediate L/M/H, Advanced L/M/H, Superior, Distinguished | US schools and universities, OPI and AAPPL tests |
| CEFR | Council of Europe | Pre-A1, A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 (+ plus levels) | Europe and worldwide, Cambridge, IELTS, DELE, DELF, Goethe tests |
| ILR | US Interagency Language Roundtable | 0 to 5 with plus levels | US government, military, diplomatic service |

## Approximate alignment (speaking)

| ACTFL | CEFR | ILR |
|-------|------|-----|
| Novice Low / Mid | Pre-A1 | 0 / 0+ |
| Novice High | A1 | 0+ |
| Intermediate Low / Mid | A2 | 1 |
| Intermediate High | B1 (lower) | 1+ |
| Advanced Low | B1 (upper) | 2 |
| Advanced Mid | B2 (lower) | 2 |
| Advanced High | B2 (upper) | 2+ |
| Superior | C1 | 3 |
| Distinguished | C2 | 4 |

Sources: ACTFL's study aligning ACTFL ratings to CEFR for its OPI/WPT tests (2016) and common ILR practice. The
alignment differs by skill: for reading and listening some levels map one step differently. ILR 5 (functionally
native) has no ACTFL or CEFR equivalent.

## Why the scales do not map perfectly

- ACTFL's "Advanced" requires narration across time frames; CEFR B1 already describes experiences, so the
  boundaries fall in different places.
- CEFR describes a broad range inside each level; ACTFL sublevels slice differently.
- ILR targets professional use; its upper levels assume professional contexts.
- Tests built on each framework sample different tasks.

## Practical use

- Use the alignment for programme design and communication with parents, partners or study-abroad offices.
- Keep one framework as the primary reference for outcomes and assessment; translate only for reporting.
- When a programme reports both, state that the second is approximate and name the source of the alignment.
- Do not convert an individual learner's test result between frameworks for admissions, hiring or certification;
  use a test reported on the required scale.