Arabic reading levels explained
Every text on Arabic Reading has a level, so you can find reading that is hard enough to teach you something and easy enough to finish. We use six plain names, from Newcomer to Advanced. Behind each name is a code from the CEFR scale, which is how most language courses and exams describe level.
What is CEFR?
CEFR stands for the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. It was written by the Council of Europe and is used for every major language, not only European ones. It has six bands: A1 and A2 (beginner), B1 and B2 (independent, or intermediate) and C1 and C2 (proficient, or advanced). The codes appear in page titles and textbooks, so we show them next to our own names. We also split A1 in two, because the first steps in Arabic take longer than in many languages (new script, new sounds).
The six levels, with examples
The sentences below are short illustrations written for this page, not extracts from the library.
1. Newcomer (A1)
You know the alphabet and are reading your first words and short sentences.
You can: Read single words and very short sentences, with every vowel marked.
هٰذَا كِتَابٌ. اِسْمِي سَارَة.
This is a book. My name is Sara.
2. Beginner (A1+)
Short, simple texts about everyday things, mostly in the present tense.
You can: Follow short texts about daily life, mostly in the present tense.
أَنَا أَشْرَبُ الْقَهْوَةَ كُلَّ صَبَاحٍ.
I drink coffee every morning.
3. Elementary (A2)
Short stories and descriptions with common words and simple past-tense narrative.
You can: Read simple stories and descriptions, including the past tense.
ذَهَبْنَا أَمْسِ إِلَى السُّوقِ وَاشْتَرَيْنَا فَوَاكِهَ كَثِيرَةً.
Yesterday we went to the market and bought a lot of fruit.
4. Intermediate (B1)
Longer texts on familiar topics, with more varied grammar and vocabulary.
You can: Read longer texts on familiar topics and follow how the sentences connect.
لَمْ أَكُنْ أَعْرِفُ أَنَّ الْمَدِينَةَ قَدِيمَةٌ إِلَى هٰذِهِ الدَّرَجَةِ حَتَّى زُرْتُهَا بِنَفْسِي.
I didn't know the city was this old until I visited it myself.
5. Upper-intermediate (B2)
Real articles and stories written for native readers, with some help.
You can: Read news and articles written for native readers, with the odd lookup.
يَرَى كَثِيرٌ مِنَ الْبَاحِثِينَ أَنَّ انْتِشَارَ التَّعْلِيمِ الرَّقْمِيِّ سَيُغَيِّرُ طَرِيقَةَ تَعَلُّمِ اللُّغَاتِ.
Many researchers believe that the spread of digital education will change how languages are learned.
6. Advanced (C1–C2)
Literature, classical prose and dense writing, read with English as a check.
You can: Read literature, classical prose and dense, formal writing with ease.
وَمَا الْعِلْمُ إِلَّا مِصْبَاحٌ يُضِيءُ دَرْبَ مَنْ أَحْسَنَ الِاسْتِضَاءَ بِهِ، وَلَكِنَّ الْجَهْلَ لَا يَرَى النُّورَ وَلَوْ سَطَعَ.
Knowledge is only a lamp that lights the way for those who use its light well, but ignorance does not see the light even when it shines.
How the scales compare
CEFR is not the only scale. American universities and schools usually use ACTFL (Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Superior), and US government agencies use the ILR scale (0 to 5). They measure similar things in different ways, so there is no exact match. This table is a rough guide.
| CEFR | ACTFL | ILR |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Novice Low to Mid | 0 to 0+ |
| A1+ | Novice High | 0+ to 1 |
| A2 | Intermediate Low to Mid | 1 |
| B1 | Intermediate High | 1+ |
| B2 | Advanced Low to Mid | 2 |
| C1–C2 | Advanced High to Superior | 2+ to 3 |
Things worth knowing about Arabic
- Reading level is not speaking level. Arabic has a written standard (Modern Standard Arabic) and many spoken varieties. A learner can read at B2 and still struggle to chat in a local dialect. Each text here says which variety it is in.
- Vowel marks change how hard a text feels. Fully voweled text is easier. Most real-world Arabic has no vowel marks, so higher levels use fewer of them, and the Reader lets you switch them on or off.
- Levels are a guide. A text on a topic you know well will feel easier than its level suggests. If a text is too hard, try one level down. If you finish it without stopping, try one up.