Language proficiency or linguistic proficiency is the ability of an individual to speak or perform in an acquired language.As theories among pedagogues as to what constitutes proficiency go, there is little consistency as to how different organizations classify it.Additionally, fluency and language competence are generally recognized as being related, but separate controversial subjects. ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines ACTFL recognises ten different levels of proficiency: novice, intermediate, advanced, and superior, of which the first three are each subdivided into low, mid, and high. 2  Common European Framework of Reference for Languages CEFR recognises six levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2.