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If you've ever wondered whether your Yorùbá is "basic", "conversational" or "fluent", the CEFR gives you a clearer answer. This guide explains the six levels in plain words, shows what each one sounds like in Yorùbá, and gives you a quick self-check for your speaking level.
What is the CEFR?
The CEFR is a framework created by the Council of Europe to describe how well someone can use a language. It's used around the world, for many languages, by schools, employers and language programmes. It describes what you can do with a language, such as introduce yourself or argue a point, rather than how much grammar you know.
It has six levels, grouped into three bands:
- Basic user: A1 and A2
- Independent user: B1 and B2
- Proficient user: C1 and C2
The CEFR also rates skills separately: listening, reading, speaking and writing. That matters a lot for Yorùbá speakers, as you'll see below.
The six CEFR levels, explained for Yorùbá
The "in plain words" column summarises the official CEFR descriptions. The Yorùbá examples are our own illustrations of what each level can look like in real life, not official descriptors.
| Level | In plain words | What it can sound like in Yorùbá |
|---|---|---|
| A1 (basic) | You use everyday phrases, introduce yourself and answer simple questions, if the other person speaks slowly and helps you | You greet elders by time of day, say your name and where you live, and ask for simple things: Mo fẹ́ omi (I want water) |
| A2 (basic) | You handle simple, routine conversations about familiar things like family, shopping and work | You talk about your family and job, buy things at the market, and say what you did yesterday in short sentences |
| B1 (independent) | You follow the main points of clear speech on familiar topics, and briefly describe experiences, plans and opinions | You tell someone about your weekend, explain a plan, and get through most family conversations without switching to English |
| B2 (independent) | You talk with native speakers fairly easily, handle more complex topics and weigh up pros and cons | You discuss the news or a Yorùbá film, disagree politely with an elder and follow Yorùbá radio |
| C1 (proficient) | You speak fluently with little searching for words, adapt to social and work situations, and catch what people imply | You speak at a family meeting or event, use òwe (proverbs) naturally and move easily between respectful and casual Yorùbá |
| C2 (proficient) | You understand almost everything with ease and express fine shades of meaning precisely | You enjoy wordplay and humour, and speak like someone who has used Yorùbá every day for years |
Why many Yorùbá speakers have two levels at once
Because the CEFR rates each skill separately, your Yorùbá can sit at different levels for different skills. This is very common for people who grew up hearing Yorùbá at home but answering in English.
A typical profile might look like this:
| Skill | Level |
|---|---|
| Listening | B2 or higher: you follow family conversations, films and jokes |
| Speaking | A2 or B1: you manage greetings and short answers, then switch to English |
| Reading and writing | A1 or A2: you rarely read Yorùbá and aren't sure about tone marks |
This uneven profile is why many heritage speakers feel lost in beginner classes that start with the alphabet, yet freeze in conversations with fluent speakers. What they need is speaking practice pitched at their speaking level, while their listening keeps doing the heavy lifting. We explain why this gap forms in I understand Yorùbá but can't speak it.
Find your Yorùbá speaking level: a quick self-check
Read each level's statements. Your speaking level is the highest one where all three are true for you without switching to English. Be honest; nobody's watching.
A1
- I can greet people correctly for the time of day, including elders.
- I can say my name, where I live and what I do.
- I can ask for simple things and say thank you.
A2
- I can talk about my family, my work and my daily routine in short sentences.
- I can ask and answer simple questions, like "Where are you going?" or "Have you eaten?"
- I can say what I did yesterday or at the weekend, even if it's simple.
B1
- I can tell a short story about something that happened, from start to finish.
- I can explain a plan and give a simple reason for an opinion.
- I can keep a ten-minute conversation going with family on everyday topics.
B2
- I can discuss a film, the news or a problem at work in some detail.
- I can disagree politely with an elder, using the respectful forms.
- I can follow and join a fast conversation between fluent speakers.
C1
- I can speak at a family meeting, a ceremony or a work event without preparing every sentence.
- I can use òwe (proverbs) and expressions naturally, at the right moment.
- I rarely search for words, and I can explain around the ones I've forgotten.
C2
- I can understand jokes, wordplay and hints, and use them myself.
- I can say exactly what I mean, with the right tone for any situation.
- People who meet me assume I've spoken Yorùbá every day for years.
Then do the same check for listening. If your listening level is two or more levels above your speaking level, you're in the most common situation for heritage speakers, and regular speaking practice is the fastest way to close the gap.
How long does it take to move up a level?
There's no official number for Yorùbá, and anyone who promises one is guessing. It depends on how often you speak, how much Yorùbá you hear around you, and your starting point.
One thing works in heritage speakers' favour: when your listening is already ahead, your speaking has a lot of stored knowledge to draw on. Regular conversation helps your speaking catch up with what you already understand, which is usually faster than learning those words from scratch.
Is there an official CEFR test for Yorùbá?
Not one that's widely recognised, as far as we know. Some tutoring and language sites offer free online Yorùbá level tests based on the CEFR. They're useful as a rough guide. But speaking is best judged in a real conversation with a fluent speaker, because that's the skill a written quiz can't hear.
How Soro uses your level
Soro is a live speaking programme for adults who already understand Yorùbá. You're placed in a group of three with others at a similar speaking level, so the conversation is challenging but never overwhelming. A friendly Atọ́nísọ̀nà (guide) leads each one-hour session, and every session stands on its own.
Questions people ask
What are the CEFR levels?
The CEFR has six levels: A1 and A2 (basic user), B1 and B2 (independent user), and C1 and C2 (proficient user). Each describes what you can do with a language, from simple everyday phrases at A1 to near-native precision at C2.
How can I know my Yorùbá level?
Use a self-check like the one above, and check speaking and listening separately. For the most accurate picture of your speaking, have a conversation with a fluent speaker or teacher who can tell you where you stall.
Is B2 fluent?
Many people treat B2 as conversational fluency: you can talk with native speakers fairly easily on most everyday topics. C1 is closer to what most people mean by "fully fluent".
What level do I need to talk to my parents in Yorùbá?
Roughly B1 for everyday family conversation, and B2 for deeper topics like decisions, disagreements and family history.
Can I get a CEFR certificate for Yorùbá?
There's no widely recognised CEFR certificate for Yorùbá that we know of. Online level tests can give you a rough guide.
Why is my Yorùbá listening better than my speaking?
Because you've probably heard far more Yorùbá than you've spoken. Listening and speaking are separate skills, and speaking only improves with speaking practice.
Ready to start speaking?
One live class with two others at your level, led by an Atọ́nísọ̀nà.