🌏 How CEFR Relates to Singapore English Education and What It Means for Your Child at LCentral

How LCentral aligns international English benchmarks with local academic success

In Singapore’s multilingual society, English proficiency remains a vital pillar for academic excellence and future opportunities. To support consistent language development, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) provides a useful benchmark. But how does CEFR align with Singapore’s education system—and how does it fit into LCentral’s trusted English programmes?

📘 What is CEFR?

The CEFR is an internationally recognised framework that describes English language ability on a six-point scale, from A1 (beginner) to C2 (mastery). It focuses on real-world communication and the four core skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

📚 Mapping CEFR to Singapore Education Levels

While CEFR is not officially adopted in Singapore’s school system, internationally-minded educators and enrichment providers use it to provide global context for students' progress and learning goals. Moreover, recently the Ministry of Education in Singapore adopted internationally-recognised English tests as part of their entrance requirements for international students (AEIS). These tests are benchmarked to CEFR standards. That means, CEFR standards are how MOE assesses the English language level of international students and whether or not their English is good enough for them to enter the MOE school system.

LCentral Programmes	Singapore Level	CEFR Level
• Foundations	N1 & N2	Pre-A1 to A1
• LaunchPad	N2 - K2	A1 to A2
• LiftOff - Learn to Read	K1 & K2	A1 to A2
• LiftOff Primary Practice	K1 & K2	A1 to A2
• Grammies	K1 - P2	A1 to A2
• Success 1 to 3 • ELevate: Creative Writing • Creative Writing: Exploring Narratives	Primary 1 to 3	A2 to B1
• Success 4 to PSLE Success • Creative Writing: Understanding Narratives	Primary 4 to 6	B1 to B2+

🏫 How LCentral Uses CEFR to Empower Students

At LCentral, we aim to nurture confident, capable English speakers and writers who can excel both locally and globally. Being aware of the importance of CEFR and its milestones helps ensure children of all ages are on the right track!

✅ 1. Structured Progression

From our foundational to mastery programmes, our curriculum is designed with student milestones in mind, so we can guide them progressively to achieve their goals!

✅ 2. Skill-Based Learning

We assess and support all four language skills, mirroring CEFR’s balanced language development structure.

✅ 3. Clear Parent Communication

Regular reports help parents track their child’s language progress in all four skills areas.

✅ 4. Global Readiness

LCentral programmes prepare students for real-world communication abroad while also setting them up to delve deeper into international exams, such as IELTS and TOEFL, when they are ready to take the plunge.

💬 Why This Matters

In today’s globalised education landscape, students in Singapore and across the region often participate in internationally recognised examinations such as the Singapore International Primary School Leaving Examination (iPSLE), the Cambridge IGCSE, and other English-medium academic programmes.

At LCentral, our programmes are built to strengthen key language skills—such as reading comprehension, structured writing, grammar, vocabulary, and oral communication—which are commonly assessed in these global exams. These competencies are especially relevant to students preparing for diverse educational routes both locally and internationally.

Our curriculum, like the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), also supports learners aiming toward other major international English exams such as:

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System) – widely used for university admissions and immigration

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) – commonly required by North American institutions

• Cambridge English Qualifications – such as A2 Key, B1 Preliminary, B2 First, and C1 Advanced

• IB English Language and Literature – part of the International Baccalaureate curriculum

• SAT English (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section) – for US university entry

• Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) – an increasingly accepted alternative for international study

  
  

Through our LCentral programmes, students build the foundational and advanced skills that contribute meaningfully to success across a range of academic systems, from the Singapore national exams (Singapore Primary School Leaving Examination PSLE, Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level GCE O-Level) to international school assessments across Southeast Asia and beyond.

At LCentral, we don’t just teach English. We nurture global communicators.