If you've ever been told you're an "Intermediate" speaker, you might have wondered what that actually means. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency scale is one of the most widely used systems in the United States for measuring speaking ability, but its descriptors can feel vague without concrete examples.
This guide breaks down what each ACTFL level actually sounds like in real conversation, how it compares to the European CEFR framework, and what you need to do to move up.
The ACTFL Scale at a Glance
ACTFL uses four main levels, each divided into Low, Mid, and High sublevels:
- Novice (Low, Mid, High)
- Intermediate (Low, Mid, High)
- Advanced (Low, Mid, High)
- Superior
- Distinguished (the highest level, rarely tested)
Unlike CEFR's A1-C2 scale, ACTFL levels describe what you can do with language in increasingly complex situations rather than what grammar you know.
Novice: Memorized Phrases and Simple Information
What It Sounds Like
A Novice speaker relies heavily on memorized words and phrases. They can handle very predictable, routine situations but struggle when anything goes off-script.
Novice Low: Individual words, maybe some memorized phrases. "Hello." "Coffee." "Two, please."
Novice Mid: Short, memorized sentences that may not always be accurate. "I am student." "Where is bathroom?" Can list familiar items but can't create with the language.
Novice High: Starting to create simple sentences by combining memorized elements, but inconsistently. Can handle a simple transaction if the other person is patient and helpful. "I want... the chicken... with rice, please. How much?"
The Novice Experience
At this level, conversation is exhausting. You're constantly translating in your head, and any unexpected question causes panic. Native speakers often have to guess what you mean or simplify their speech significantly.
What Keeps You Here
- Relying only on memorized phrases from textbooks
- Avoiding real conversations
- Not learning to ask for clarification when confused
Intermediate: Creating with Language
What It Sounds Like
The defining feature of Intermediate is the ability to create with language—to form original sentences rather than just recite memorized ones. However, Intermediate speakers still struggle with anything beyond concrete, everyday topics.
Intermediate Low: Can create simple sentences to handle basic survival situations. Makes frequent errors that sometimes interfere with meaning. "Yesterday I go to the store and buy food for my family. The store is very big."
Intermediate Mid: Handles familiar everyday situations with more confidence. Can ask and answer questions, though still makes errors. Starting to use some variety in sentence structure. "I've been studying English for three years. I study because I want to work in international business."
Intermediate High: Consistently handles familiar topics with good paragraph-length responses. Can venture into more complex topics but falls back when pushed. May successfully use more advanced structures but not consistently. "In my country, we usually celebrate New Year with our families. We prepare special foods and... how do you say... we watch the fireworks. It's very important tradition because..."
The Intermediate Experience
This is where most language learners spend the longest time. You can survive in the language—order food, ask for directions, make small talk. But deeper conversations about abstract topics feel frustrating. You know what you want to say but lack the vocabulary or structures to say it smoothly.
What Keeps You Here
- Staying in your comfort zone with familiar topics
- Avoiding complex topics that force you to struggle
- Not learning how to use circumlocution (describing something when you don't know the exact word)
Advanced: Narrating and Explaining
What It Sounds Like
Advanced speakers can do two things Intermediate speakers cannot: narrate (tell stories about past and future events with detail and organization) and explain (discuss abstract topics, describe complex processes, support opinions).
Advanced Low: Can narrate and describe in all major time frames, though with some inconsistency. Handles unexpected situations and complications. "So I was walking to work when I realized I'd forgotten my laptop. I had to go all the way back home, which made me miss my first meeting. My boss wasn't happy, but I explained what happened and she understood."
Advanced Mid: Narrates and describes with good control across time frames. Can discuss topics of public interest and explain matters related to their field. Uses paragraph-length discourse naturally. Can handle a complicated situation or an unexpected turn in conversation.
Advanced High: Performs all Advanced-level tasks with ease and can often handle Superior-level tasks, though not consistently. May demonstrate strong abilities in one area (like narration) while still working on others (like supporting abstract arguments).
The Advanced Experience
At this level, you can have real conversations. You can tell stories, explain your work, discuss news events, and handle problems. Native speakers don't have to simplify their speech for you, though they may need to occasionally repeat or rephrase.
The frustration shifts from "I can't express this" to "I can express this but not as precisely or elegantly as I'd like."
What Gets You Here
- Extensive practice narrating events in detail
- Discussing abstract topics even when difficult
- Learning to organize extended discourse with connectors and transitions
Superior: Supporting Opinions and Hypothesizing
What It Sounds Like
Superior speakers can discuss complex, abstract topics with precision. They can support opinions, hypothesize about what might happen, construct and explore arguments, and handle unfamiliar situations and topics.
"The relationship between economic policy and educational outcomes is complicated. On one hand, you could argue that increased funding directly improves results—smaller class sizes, better resources, higher teacher salaries. But if you look at the data across different countries, the correlation isn't as strong as you'd expect. It might be that how the money is spent matters more than how much is spent. For instance, in Finland..."
The Superior Experience
At Superior level, you can participate fully in professional and academic contexts. You can handle formal speeches, complex negotiations, and sensitive discussions. Native speakers interact with you essentially as they would with other native speakers.
ACTFL vs. CEFR: A Rough Comparison
The two scales don't map perfectly, but here's a general comparison:
| ACTFL | CEFR | |-------|------| | Novice Low/Mid | Pre-A1 to A1 | | Novice High | A1 | | Intermediate Low/Mid | A2 to B1 | | Intermediate High | B1+ | | Advanced Low/Mid | B2 | | Advanced High | B2+ to C1 | | Superior | C1 to C2 |
The key difference is that ACTFL focuses heavily on functions—what you can do with language—while CEFR balances functions with grammar and vocabulary knowledge. A speaker might demonstrate B2 grammar knowledge but only Intermediate Mid functional ability if they haven't developed the narrative and explanatory skills Advanced requires.
For a deeper dive into CEFR levels, see CEFR Speaking Descriptors Explained and CEFR Levels: A Practical Guide.
How to Move Up: Practical Steps
From Novice to Intermediate
- Stop relying on memorized phrases—start creating your own sentences
- Practice describing your daily life in simple terms
- Learn survival vocabulary for real situations
From Intermediate to Advanced
- Practice narrating events with full detail (beginning, middle, end)
- Discuss abstract topics even when it's uncomfortable
- Learn to organize longer responses with clear structure
- Develop circumlocution skills for when you don't know a word
From Advanced to Superior
- Engage with complex topics where you must support opinions with evidence
- Practice hypothesizing and exploring implications
- Develop precision in word choice
- Expose yourself to formal registers and academic discourse
The Most Important Insight
The difference between levels isn't primarily vocabulary or grammar—it's what you can do with the language you have. An Intermediate speaker with large vocabulary is still Intermediate if they can't narrate or explain. An Advanced speaker with smaller vocabulary but strong organizational and functional skills can outperform them.
Focus on developing the functions of each level, not just accumulating words and rules.
See also:
- CEFR Speaking Descriptors Explained - Understanding the European framework
- CEFR Levels: A Practical Guide - How to apply CEFR levels to your learning