The ALTE "Can Do" project developed a simplified set of 400+ descriptors for language examinations which relate to the Common Reference Levels.
ALTE now establishes a six-level framework of language examination standards.
The following table compares the ALTE levels with the CEFR levels and EFL exams: The Common European Framework divides learners into three broad divisions which can be divided into six levels: The CEFR describes what a learner is supposed to be able to do in reading, listening, speaking and writing at each level, in details: ALTE aims to improve language assessment through sharing best practice and providing thought leadership through international conferences.
International conference themes have included supporting the European Year of Languages (2001), the impact of multilingualism (2005), the wider social and educational impact of assessment (2008) and the role of language frameworks (2011).
Selected conference papers are published through the Studies in Language Testing (SiLT) volumes.