CEFR Case Study

Ms. Gruber is a personnel manager in a company that produces components for machines all over the world. She is to hire a new person for customer service who can communicate with customers in at least 3 different languages in writing and on the phone - ideally in English, German and Spanish.

Mrs. Gruber receives a large number of CVs and it is not easy for her to compare the language skills of the applicants as these are always expressed in different forms.

However, Mrs. Gruber does notice a few applications that have used a Europass CV. In these CVs, the applicants' language skills are visually represented and broken down into listening, reading, writing and speaking. Comparable levels of competence are indicated, which are more meaningful than for other applicants, who often describe their knowledge as "good" or "advanced". Ms Gruber's interest is aroused and she googles the code that is additionally indicated (e.g. B2). She quickly finds a table, the so-called common reference framework for languages, which is used internationally. The descriptions in the table help her to identify the competency levels of the vacant position she is looking for. Equipped with her new knowledge, she checks the three short-listed applications again:

Katharina

Nick

Eduarda

Who will Mrs. Gruber choose and why?