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A Key Skill in 1 Out of 8 Job Offers in France
Evolution and Requirements of Job Offers Mentioning English in France: Prevalence, Expected CEFR Levels, and Impact on Employability in 2024
In 2024, a significant proportion of job offers in France will mention English language proficiency as a requirement. Analyses converge on approximately 10 to 15% of job postings including a criterion related to English. Thus, in March 2025, more than 20,600 job postings containing the keyword “English” appeared on the Indeed France platform (out of a total of approximately 150,000 active job postings, or ~13%). This proportion is up from previous years (it was around 9% in 2018), reflecting the growing internationalization of jobs offered in France.
Correlation between English language requirements and CEFR
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) was established by the Council of Europe in 2001, following several years of linguistic research. It represents a new approach whose main purpose is to provide a common basis for the design of educational programs, diplomas, certificates, and, of course, language certifications under the CPF.
Above all, it provides a solid, objective basis for the recognition of language qualifications that is shared by all recruitment professionals.
Thus, when a job offer specifies a level of English, it is generally for an upper-intermediate or advanced level. In fact, if English is required, a level B (intermediate and upper-intermediate) is usually the minimum requirement.
However, most employers express the requirement in qualitative terms – “fluent English,” “working knowledge of English,” “bilingual,” etc. – which corresponds to level C1 but is not very precise.
An English test with scores that are closely correlated to the different CEFR levels will therefore give a considerable advantage to candidates who include it on their CV.
The CEFR is divided into three levels corresponding to skills related to the competencies expected in a professional activity.
The table below summarizes the percentages observed by CEFR level on the main job sites in France in 2024.
The majority of job offers require a B2-C1 level (or higher), corresponding to fluent English. Very few ads are satisfied with a basic conversational level (except possibly for local jobs where English is a plus but not essential).
CEFR correlation grid and TOEIC test
Based on the above analysis, TOEIC® tests, which are the international benchmark for assessing English in a professional context, give a significant advantage on a resume. Designed by linguists and psychometric researchers, they provide a completely reliable and objective way of validating English language proficiency.
In order to rigorously position TOEIC® test results on the CEFR, ETS conducted a rigorous study to establish a correlation between the minimum TOEIC® test scores required and each of the CEFR levels.
The results were established separately for speaking and listening and for reading and writing, as shown in the table below.
The scores shown are the threshold levels required to obtain the corresponding CEFR level. They cannot be combined (except for Listening and Reading) and cannot be presented as an average.
Study conducted in October 2006 by ETS researchers Richard J. Tannenbaum, PhD, and E. Caroline Wylie, PhD.
A TOEIC score is an objective indicator recognized by more than 14,000 academic, institutional, and professional entities in more than 160 countries.
It reassures recruiters about the candidate's true functional level of English, particularly for professional tasks (meetings, emails, phone calls, etc.).
The CEFR levels and the CPF
With regard to the CPF, which is strictly aimed at professional development, the level of proficiency required for certification, whether for English or any other language, is at least A2. It is essential that the level of certification obtained enables the beneficiary to progress in their job or change career. As shown in the analysis above, the majority of applications are at level B2/C1.
According to a 2024 study conducted by ETS EMEA on a sample of nearly 7,000 candidates who took a TOEIC Listening and Reading test as part of the CPF, the distribution by CEFR level is as follows.
Reading: 23.8% of certifications obtained through the CPF are at level B2 and 3.7% at level C1.
The curve shows the average score on the TOEIC two-skill test by CEFR level. Level B2 has an average score of 855, which is well above the threshold level of 785 points.
Summary
English is required in approximately one in eight job offers in France. When required, it is almost always at a high level (B2/C1), with “fluent” English being the norm.
A study conducted by ETS EMEA in 2024 on CEFR levels obtained through the CPF (French personal skills development account) program on a representative sample of candidates shows that levels B1 and C1, which are the most sought-after for job seekers, account for 27% of all certifications obtained.
Sources of studies:
English in France: more than 21,000 job offers (March 13, 2025) | Indeed
Study conducted in October 2006 by ETS researchers Richard J. Tannenbaum, PhD, and E. Caroline Wylie, PhD.