Beginner (CEFR Level A1)
English level A1 is the first level of English in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), a definition of different language levels written by the Council of Europe. In practice it is possible to be at a pre-A1 level of English. A student who is just beginning to learn English, or who has no prior knowledge of English, is at a pre-A1 level.

How to tell if you're at an A1 level in English
The best way to tell if you are at an A1 level in English is to take my Online English level test.

What can you do with an A1 level in English?
An A1 level of English would be sufficient for very simple interactions, for example as a tourist in an English-speaking country. An A1 level would not be sufficient for other academic or professional purposes.

According to the official CEFR guidelines, someone at the A1 level in English:

• can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type
• can introduce themself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where they live, people they know, and things they have
• can interact with other people in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

A1 level English skills in detail
The official 'can-do' statements are broken down into smaller, more detailed skills which can help you assess your own English level. For example, a student at the A1 level in English will be able to:

• introduce themself simply and use basic greetings
• tell somebody where they and others are from and give a basic description of their city
• talk simply about family and colleagues, describing their appearance and personalities
• discuss clothing at a basic level and ask sales assistants simple questions about them
• talk about favourite foods and place simple orders for take-out food
• talk about daily activities and arrange meetings with friends and colleagues
• describe current weather conditions and suggest activities according to the weather forecast
• talk in general terms about their health and describe common medical symptoms to a doctor
• describe the location of their home and give simple directions
• talk about their hobbies and interests and makes plans for fun activities with friends or colleagues
• complete basic transactions at a hotel, including checking in and checking out
• discuss common products, make basic purchases and return faulty items.

Although progress will depend on the type of course and the individual student, students can expect to reach the A1 level in English with 60 to 80 hours of instruction.

What's next?
The priority at this level, when building up to an A2 English level, is expanding vocabulary and building up to more complex types of sentences.

Elementary (CEFR Level A2)
English level A2 is the second level of English in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), a definition of different language levels written by the Council of Europe. In everyday speech, this level might be described as “basic” as in “I speak basic English”. At this level, students have mastered the basics of English and can communicate simple, basic needs.

How to tell if you're at an A2 level in English
The best way to tell if you are at an A2 level in English is to take my Online English level test.

What can you do with an A2 level in English?
An A2 level of English is sufficient for tourism in an English-speaking country and socialising with English speakers, although to develop deeper friendships an A2 level is not adequate. An A2 level of English also allows for networking with English-speaking colleagues, but working in English is limited to very familiar topics at the A2 level. An A2 level of English is not sufficient for academic study or for consuming most English-language media (TV, films, radio, magazines, etc.).

According to the official CEFR guidelines, someone at the A2 level in English:

• can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment)
• can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters
• can describe in simple terms aspects of their background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.

A2 level English skills in detail
The official 'can-do' statements are broken down into smaller, more detailed skills which can help you assess your own English level. For example, a student at the A2 level in English will be able to do all the things that a student at level A1 can do, and in addition they will be able to:

• evaluate coworkers' performance in the workplace
• relate events from their past, including their weekend activities and interesting stories
• describe their past life, giving details about important milestones
• entertain someone in their home or visit a friend or colleague in their home
• discuss their holiday plans and tell friends and colleagues about their holiday afterwards
• talk about the natural world and travels to see animals and natural areas in their country
• talk about films that they like and choose a film to see with friends
• discuss clothing and what kind of clothes they like to wear
• engage in basic communication at work, including attending meetings on familiar topics
• describe an accident or injury, get medical help from a doctor and fill a prescription for medicine
• engage in basic business socialising, welcoming guests and attending networking events
• understand and make basic business proposals in their area of expertise
• talk about and explain the rules of games.

Although progress will depend on the type of course and the individual student, students can expect to reach the A2 level in English with 200 hours of cumulative instruction.

What's next?
The priority at this level, when building up to English level B1 is expanding mastery into a wider variety of subjects and learning to express more subtlety in communication.

Intermediate (CEFR Level B1)
English level B1 is the third level of English in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), a definition of different language levels written by the Council of Europe. In everyday speech, this level would be called “intermediate”. At this level, students are beyond the basics but they are still not able to work or study exclusively in English.

How to tell if you're at a B1 level in English
The best way to tell if you are at a B1 level in English is to take my Online English level test.

What can you do with a B1 level in English?
A B1 level of English would be sufficient for interactions with English speakers on familiar topics. In the workplace, people at a B1 level of English are able to read simple reports on familiar topics and write simple e-mails on subjects in their field. However, a B1 level is not adequate to function fully in the workplace in English.

According to the official CEFR guidelines, someone at the B1 level in English:

• can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, free time, etc.
• can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling
• can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest
• can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

B1 level English skills in detail
The official 'can-do' statements are broken down into smaller, more detailed skills which can help you assess your own English level. For example, a student at the B1 level in English will be able to do all the things that a student at level A2 can do, and in addition they will be able to:

• discuss their personal and professional hopes and dreams for the future
• arrange a job interview and interview for a job in their area of expertise
• talk about their television viewing habits and favourite programmes
• describe their education and their plans for future training
• talk about their favourite music and music trends and plan a night out to listen to live music
• talk about maintaining a healthy lifestyle and give and get advice about healthy habits
• talk about relationships and dating, including meeting people through social media
• go to a restaurant, order food, engage in polite dinner conversation and pay for their food
• participate in negotiations in their area of expertise, if they have help understanding some points
• discuss workplace safety issues, report an injury and explain rules and regulations
• discuss polite behaviour and respond appropriately to impolite behaviour.

Although progress will depend on the type of course and the individual student, students can expect to reach the B1 level in English with 400 hours of cumulative instruction.

What's next?
Learn about the B2 English level and what can be accomplished when the upper-intermediate level is achieved.

Upper-Intermediate (CEFR Level B2)
English level B2 is the fourth level of English in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), a definition of different language levels written by the Council of Europe. In everyday speech, this level might be called “confident”, as in “I am a confident English speaker”. The official level descriptor is “upper intermediate”. At this level, students can function independently in a variety of academic and professional environments in English, although with a limited range of nuance and precision.

How to tell if you're at a B2 level in English
The best way to tell if you are at a B2 level in English is to take my Online English level test.

What can you do with a B2 level in English?
A B2 level of English would allow you to function in the workplace in English, and indeed, many non-native English speakers in international workplaces have this level of English. A person working in English at a B2 level will, however, lack nuance particularly outside their own field. They may also miss some of the subtleties and implied meanings in conversation.

According to the official CEFR guidelines, someone at the B2 level in English:

• can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialisation
• can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party
• can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

B2 level English skills in detail
The official 'can-do' statements are broken down into smaller, more detailed skills which can help you assess your own English level. For example, a student at the B2 level in English will be able to do all the things that a student at level B1 can do, and in addition they will be able to:

• participate in meetings in their area of expertise, if they have help understanding some points
• discuss gender issues as they relate to perceptions of rudeness and cultural norms
• talk about their personal finances and give advice to friends and colleagues about their finances
• talk about their personal and professional lifestyle, including a description of their life at work
• explain their education, experience, strengths and weaknesses, and discuss their career path
• talk about mental processes and how they can use them to improve their effectiveness on the job
• talk about what they like to read and make recommendations about good things to read
• use appropriate language in social situations, including praising and expressing sympathy
• discuss leadership qualities and talk about leaders whom they admire
• deal with relatively complex awkward situations that arise in social and business contexts
• discuss common political situations and the behaviour of politicians.

Although progress will depend on the type of course and the individual student, students can expect to reach the B2 level in English with 600 hours of cumulative instruction.

What's next?
Learn about the C1 English level and what can be accomplished when someone achieves the advanced level.

Advanced (CEFR Level C1)
English level C1 is the fifth level of English in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), a definition of different language levels written by the Council of Europe. At this level, students can function independently and with a great deal of precision on a wide variety of subjects and in almost any setting without any prior preparation.

How to tell if you're at a C1 level in English
The best way to tell if you are at a C1 level in English is to take my Online English level test.

What can you do with a C1 level in English?
A C1 level of English allows for a full range of functionality at work or in an academic setting. The C1 level would allow for full autonomy in a native English-speaking country.

According to the official CEFR guidelines, someone at the C1 level in English:

• can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning
• can express ideas fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions
• can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes
• can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

C1 level English skills in detail
The official 'can-do' statements are broken down into smaller, more detailed skills which can help you assess your own English level. For example, a student at the C1 level in English will be able to do all the things that a student at level B2 can do, and in addition they will be able to:

• discuss in detail issues related to success, including building a motivated, successful team
• talk in some detail about their favourite paintings and the architecture of buildings that they like
• discuss societal problems, possible solutions for problems and what role corporations can play
• participate in discussions about conservation, sustainability and habitat protection
• talk about events and issues in the news and how they affect people and companies
• talk about risks in life, including changing jobs and doing dangerous sports
• compare and contrast various forms of education and individual schools
• discuss various types of humour, including subtle forms like sarcasm
• understand various communication styles, including direct, indirect, formal and informal
• discuss issues related to their quality of life, including work-life balance and home environment
• understand and discuss issues related to ethics, like civil disobedience.

Although progress will depend on the type of course and the individual student, students can expect to reach the C1 level in English with 800 hours of cumulative instruction.

What's next?
Learn about the C2 English level and what can be accomplished someone becomes proficient in English.

Proficiency (CEFR Level C2)
English level C2 is the sixth and final level of English in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), a definition of different language levels written by the Council of Europe. In everyday speech, this level might be called “bilingual”, as in “I am bilingual in English and Polish.” A well-educated native English speaker is technically at a C2 level. Relatively few English learners reach this level because their professional or academic goals do not require it.

How to tell if you're at a C2 level in English
The best way to tell if you are at a C2 level in English is to take my Online English level test.

What can you do with a C2 level in English?
A C2 level of English is essentially a native level. It allows for reading and writing of any type on any subject, nuanced expression of emotions and opinions, and active participation in any academic or professional setting.

According to the official CEFR guidelines, someone at the C2 level in English:

• can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read
• can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation
• can express themself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations.

C2 level English skills in detail
The official 'can-do' statements are broken down into smaller, more detailed skills which can help you assess your own English level. For example, a student at the C2 level in English will be able to do all the things that a student at level C1 can do, and in addition they will be able to:

• discuss issues related to science and technology, including robots and new inventions
• talk about celebrities, celebrity activism and gossip about celebrities
• use a variety of techniques for promoting creativity in their speech and writing
• discuss financial planning and give and understand advice about personal finance
• talk about stress in their life and the lives of friends and colleagues
• discuss techniques for doing research on a wide range of topics.

Although progress will depend on the type of course and the individual student, students can expect to reach the C2 level in English with 1000 hours of cumulative instruction.