The Limitations of the European Framework for English Learners in Italy. Real World Communication Challenges!

I have a feeling many people can relate to this, in my 20 plus years of working with thousands of students and clients, this has been a common theme!

Have you spent hours, or even years with the main goal being to take and pass a ‘specific level’?  

In Italy, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) has long been the standard for measuring English proficiency. Many companies still require their employees to go through hours of courses to obtain certifications such as the B2 or C1 level, believing this provides a clear indicator of their ability to navigate English in professional environments. This approach, however, often overlooks the complexities of real-world communication, especially in international business contexts where English is used as a global lingua franca.

The Disconnect Between CEFR and Practical English Use

It may be that the CEFR levels provide a useful framework for classroom learning, however they don’t always reflect the dynamic nature of English communication in global settings. Language exams tied to the CEFR, often focus on grammar, reading comprehension, and structured writing. These elements are of course, important, but they don’t fully encompass the communication demands of global meetings, international networking, or spontaneous unexpected problem-solving in English.

For instance, a candidate with a C1 level certificate may perform well on a language test but struggle with the fast-paced nature of a budget meeting conducted in English.

Nuances such as understanding cultural references, idiomatic expressions, and the ability to improvise in conversations are rarely addressed in standard testing.

These are the skills that are critical in situations like negotiating, presenting strategies, or simply engaging in informal business networking at congresses.

Real-World Challenges for Italian Professionals

In the international business world, communication is more about conveying ideas persuasively and with clarity, rather than making sure you have 100% correct grammar structures. Italian professionals attending global meetings often find themselves suddenly faced with the following challenges:

1. Speed and Flow of Conversations: Global meetings often involve participants from different English-speaking backgrounds, each with their own accents and speaking styles. Understanding these different styles of speaking is rarely taught in traditional language courses.
2. Spontaneous Speech: Tests often prepare learners for structured dialogue, but real-world English requires the ability to think and speak on the spot. Whether it’s answering a complex question in a meeting or contributing to a brainstorming session, fluency in action can be very stressful for those who’ve only trained for exams.
3. Cross-Cultural Communication: Knowing how to communicate beyond language is vital in international business. This includes understanding cultural sensitivities, body language, and even humour, which can be more relevant than grammar in building relationships and trust. Just speak to a British person for long enough and you will probably have missed several jokes, unknowingly!

The Problem with Certification as a Measurement

Relying on CEFR certification creates a false sense of proficiency! Companies may assume that employees who hold a B2 or C1 certificate are able to handle any professional situation in English. However, these certificates don’t measure how well someone can engage in unscripted conversations, present complex scientific information to non-native speakers, or navigate cross-cultural misunderstandings.

Another important factor is that English in global business is often simplified and direct. The priority is not perfect sentence structure but clear, effective communication. 

Many highly competent English speakers in global companies do not have advanced certifications but excel in their ability to adapt their language use to suit the audience, topic, and context.

Moving Beyond Certificates to Real Communication Skills

For Italian companies looking to empower their workforce in international settings, it is essential to move beyond certificates as the sole measure of English competence. Instead, a more general and realistic approach that focuses on real-world skills—such as fluency in discussions, the ability to adapt to various English-speaking environments and confidence to express your ideas, should be prioritised!

Investing in communication skills training, which emphasises interactive and situational English practice, can bridge the gap between academic language learning and the actual demands of the global business environment. Role-playing business scenarios, offering workshops on presenting in English, and encouraging participation in global networking events are all effective ways to enhance proficiency beyond the rigid CEFR levels.

Conclusion

While the CEFR framework remains a useful tool for evaluating certain aspects of English learning, it is no longer sufficient for measuring the communication skills required in today’s globalised business world. Italian professionals need more than a certificate; they need the ability to engage confidently, flexibly, and effectively in real-world English conversations. Moving away from a purely certificate-based evaluation to one focused on real communication skills will prepare professionals for the realities of international business, where language is a tool for connection and collaboration, not just a test of proficiency.

What are your experiences on this? I would love to hear in the comments!

𝘏𝘪 𝘐'𝘮 𝘕𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘺, 𝘐 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝑴𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝑨𝒇𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒔, 𝑷𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒂 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑴𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘭 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘳𝘦, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩.

𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦!