European system of levels of proficiency in a foreign language. English proficiency levels

12.10.2019

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The A2 level of English is the second level of language proficiency in the Common European Framework of Reference for the European Union (CEFR), a system for determining different language levels established by the Council of Europe. In everyday speech, this level can be called basic (for example, "I speak basic English"). The term elementary is the official level description in the CEFR - this is the basic level. A student who has mastered a basic level of English can meet his basic communication needs.

How to tell if you know English at the A2 level

The best way to determine if your English is at an A2 level is to take a quality standardized test. Below is a list of the major globally recognized tests and their corresponding A2 scores:

What you can do with an A2 level of English

The A2 level of English is sufficient for tourist travel in an English-speaking country and communication with native English speakers. However, an A2 level is considered insufficient to establish deeper friendships. The A2 level of English also allows collaboration with English-speaking colleagues, but working communication in English is limited to familiar topics at the A2 level. An A2 level of English is not sufficient to conduct scientific research or to understand English-language media (television, film, radio, magazines, etc.).

According to the official CEFR guidelines, a student with an A2 level of English will:

Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to the main areas of life to which it is directly related (for example, basic information and family, shopping, geography, employment).
Can carry out communication within simple and daily tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar or everyday topics.
She can describe in simple terms certain aspects of her past, present, as well as issues related to the areas with which, he, she directly interacts.

English Proficiency Levels by Standard CEFR
(Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)

A1 (Beginner English)

Comprehension and ability to use familiar phrases and expressions in speech necessary for specific tasks. The ability to introduce yourself / introduce others, ask / answer questions about the place of residence, acquaintances, property. The ability to engage in an uncomplicated conversation when the other person speaks slowly and clearly and is willing to help.

A2 (Elementary English)

Understanding of individual sentences and common phrases related to the main areas of life (for example, basic information about yourself and your family members, shopping, getting a job, etc.). Ability to complete tasks related to the simple exchange of information on familiar or everyday topics. In simple terms, tell about yourself, your family and friends, describe the main aspects of everyday life.

B1 (Pre-Intermediate English)

Understanding of the main ideas of clear messages made in the literary language on various topics, typically arising at work, study, leisure, etc. Ability to communicate in most situations that may arise during a stay in the country of the target language. Ability to compose a coherent message on topics of particular interest or familiarity. The ability to describe impressions, events, hopes, aspirations, to state and justify one's opinion and plans for the future.

B2 (Intermediate English)

Understand the general content of complex texts on abstract and specific topics, including highly specialized texts. Speak quickly and spontaneously enough to constantly communicate with native speakers without too much difficulty for either party. Be able to make clear, detailed messages on various topics and present your views on the main problem, show the advantages and disadvantages of different opinions.

C1 (Upper-Intermediate English)

Understand voluminous complex texts on various topics, recognize hidden meaning. Speak spontaneously at a fast pace, without difficulty finding words and expressions. Use the language flexibly and effectively for communication in scientific and professional activities. Ability to create an accurate, detailed, well-structured message on complex topics, demonstrating proficiency in text organization models, communication tools and the integration of its elements.

C2 (Advanced English)

Understand almost any oral or written communication, the ability to compose a coherent text, based on several oral and written sources. Speak spontaneously with a high tempo and a high degree of precision, emphasizing the nuances of meaning even in the most difficult cases.

The ratio of vocabulary between levels of language proficiency

* Based on Vocabulary size and the CEFR (Milton and Alexiou 2009)

English proficiency levels as recommended by the British Council

Beginner level

Communication: Ability to pronounce your name and personal data, answer basic questions (what is your name, how old are you, etc.), count to a hundred.

Understanding: Know the alphabet and be able to spell words, understand elementary sentences and questions.

Letter: Lack of skills.

Elementary level

Communication: Ability to present brief information about yourself and others, personal and non-personal. Express your thoughts so that others understand. Express ideas, feelings, resolve life situations in an English-speaking country.

Letter: Ability to write a proposal, write a basic email message.

Pre Intermediate level

Communication: Ability to speak with clear pronunciation. Express thoughts clearly, resolve communication situations in various life situations without gaps in understanding what is happening.

Understanding: Clearly distinguish intonation, stress, sounds. Understand the ideas of the texts.

Letter: Ability to describe a person's appearance, give a short description of his features. Express your attitude towards people, problems. Build sentences grammatically correctly, observing the rules of word placement.

A student corresponding to this level can be admitted to the international exam PET(Cambridge exam).

Intermediate level

Communication: Ability to learn the opinion of others, identify emotions, express your emotions. Ability to use intonation to express your own emotions. Correctly combine words in oral sentences.

Understanding: Understand the ideas of the texts, highlight the main points from the context and form a general meaning. The ability to distinguish between informal and formal speech. Distinguish between different pronunciations of the English language.

Letter: Ability to fill out questionnaires, documents, write a history of an event, present a situation, accompanying it with personal comments. Be able to briefly and clearly state your thoughts.

Upper Intermediate level

Communication: Ability to use official language and informal speech in various situations. Record information and provide it as needed, be able to conduct a discussion with several opponents.

Understanding: Immediately understand the ideas of the read texts, catch the emotions read in the text. Determine pronunciation, be able to conduct telephone conversations, read newspapers, be able to draw conclusions from what you read.

Letter: Free competent writing. Ability to write short instructions, compose an overview of events, use different styles of writing texts. Ability to form complex sentences.

The level gives admission to the exam IELTS, TOEFL.

Advanced level

Communication: Be able to use formal and informal communication styles appropriately. Have a fluent and easy conversation on a variety of topics. The ability to highlight in speech the semantic moments to which the attention of the interlocutor should be drawn.

Understanding: Capture the key points of speech, understand the speaker's attitude to the problem. By intonation, it is necessary to understand the emotional state of the speaker.

Letter: Free writing, ability to write essays, comments, reviews, reports, filling out official documents.

This English Proficiency Level gives admission to the exam CAE, CPE.

ILR American English Proficiency Levels

ILR Level 0 - No proficiency(Lack of skills)
ILR Level 1 - Elementary proficiency(Elementary proficiency)
ILR Level 2 - Limited working proficiency(Limited working ownership)
ILR Level 3 - Professional working proficiency(Professional working ownership)
ILR Level 4 - Full professional proficiency(Full professional proficiency)
ILR Level 5 - Native or bilingual proficiency(Native or bilingual)

The values 0+ , 1+ , 2+ , 3+ or 4+ assigned when the level of proficiency significantly exceeds the corresponding level of proficiency, but does not fully meet the criteria for the next level. So the scale is 11 possible estimates.

Levels can be assigned separately for different skills such as reading, speaking, listening, writing, translation, audio translation, interpretation and intercultural communication. For some of these skills, the level may be called an abbreviation, for example, S-1 for speech level 1 .

Levels of English proficiency in basic training courses

Basic English study courses such as Top notch, True Colors, Headway, Cutting edge, Streamline English, True to life, Reward and others use their own scale for the levels of the English language. It consists of six levels:

Beginner (Basic)
Elementary
Pre-Intermediate
Intermediate
Upper-Intermediate
Advanced

These levels do not quite correspond to the pan-European ( CEFR) classification. So, the level Advanced corresponds only to the level B2... And only after reaching it, you can take some qualifying exams for knowledge of the English language - Cambridge FCE, British IELTS, American TOEFL.

When learning a new language, not everyone can answer the questions about how much progress has been made since learning began, and how long it will take to “learn” to reach the set goal. And this is where the gradation of language levels, which is used in the European Union, is very useful.

The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) is a standard system developed by the Council of Europe in the early 90s to determine the quality of knowledge and skills in a foreign language.

This system is used internationally to study, teach and evaluate exam results in any language and determines the level of proficiency in it in speaking, understanding, reading texts and writing.

Language level system

The CEFR system is divided into 3 main stages, 2 levels each:

Category A is responsible for basic knowledge of a foreign language and is subdivided into the survival level (A1) and the pre-threshold level (A2).
Category B represents the level of self-sufficient language proficiency, which is divided into a threshold level (B1) and a threshold advanced level (B2).
Category C shows the level of fluency in a foreign language, this is the level of professional proficiency (C1) and the level of perfect proficiency (C2).

Why do you need to determine the language level?

First of all, it is important for a person who is learning a new language to understand how he is progressing in learning the language, what he already knows, and where there are gaps. Knowing how much you have passed from the beginning of the training and how close to the goal is, at the very least, it is very important to maintain motivation.
Foreign universities and companies also need the ability to determine the level of language learning of candidates for admission or for a job. This way they can understand if the applicant has enough knowledge, qualifications and skills. Or vice versa: they will tell you what else you need to work on. In such situations, they usually pass one of the international exams and receive a certificate indicating the language level (the type of exam is chosen depending on the purpose of its passing).

Each language level is characterized by a specific set of skills and knowledge. Let's figure out what each stage includes and define our own.

Beginner level (A1)

From this stage, the process of learning the language begins. But even in order to reach this level, a little work is needed. After reaching the A1 level, the student can maintain a light conversation (greet the interlocutor, find out and answer how you are doing, tell simple facts about your biography, make a request, express gratitude, apologize, answer basic questions, end the conversation). The student also begins to understand slow and clear foreign speech in simple sentences.

This stage can be called the base or linguistic foundation on which everything else will be built. Therefore, it is advisable to pass it together with a good teacher... And since it is too early to talk about listening comprehension or fluency at this step, it is important to practice regularly and receive feedback and encouragement from a mentor and like-minded people.

Elementary level (A2)

At this stage, the student has a fairly confident command of the language base. And if earlier a person operated with monosyllabic phrases, now he speaks and answers questions in more detail on such topics as: life, relatives, favorite activities, work and study, household affairs. With this level, you can solve simple tasks abroad: make purchases in a store, navigate the area, ask to change linen in the room, exchange money, in general, it is quite comfortable to communicate on a short trip abroad, using the knowledge that you already have.

Pre-intermediate (B1)

If you decide to continue learning a language beyond basic knowledge and skills, you gradually move to the next level. It is important here to demonstrate the ability to express your own opinion on the issues that you face at work, school, at home.

A student at the B1 level easily shares plans, talks about past and future events, is able to describe the situation, and also understands the main essence of a text or audio message on the topics listed above and personally interesting to him, based on the context.

At this stage, you can communicate and resolve almost all issues that may be encountered abroad.

Intermediate level (B2)

At this level, the development of fluency in speech and better listening comprehension continues. The student boasts an understanding of text and audio on a wide variety of topics, including narrow topics.

Speech becomes confident, the ability to maintain spontaneous conversation appears. The student no longer feels problems when communicating in a foreign language, and is able to clearly and reasonably explain his point of view, express any ideas and thoughts, using the vocabulary that he already has.

At the same stage, you can more actively move towards your goal, studying vocabulary and materials on the desired topic (business, travel, immigration ...), listening to specialized video and audio.

Upper intermediate (C1)

This is where the fun begins, because a foreign language becomes almost a native one. A person even understands the hidden meaning in voluminous messages, texts, video and audio materials, foreign humor, sarcasm, wordplay ...

Speech is spontaneous and fast, it contains linking words and slang expressions that can be heard in the speech of native speakers. You can use the language in the profession and even scientific activity.

Advanced level (C2)

Here you are very close to the level of a native speaker. It is assumed that you can use a foreign language in any situation: from traveling to renting an apartment in a new country, from a business trip to giving a lecture at an overseas event, from an interview to writing business letters.

You will be able to communicate correctly in both formal and informal settings. At the same time, idioms, colloquial phrases, linking words, jokes will be used to the place. But, of course, the ability to speak on different topics here depends not only on the knowledge of the language, but also on the general outlook.

At an advanced level, you can easily choose where and how to apply the language in practice, as well as use your knowledge and skills to achieve your life goals. You can develop your business in a foreign market, travel around the world, study and develop, watch a movie in the original, read books, and how many more interesting things!

How to find out your language level

On the Internet, you have probably come across many tests to determine the language level, which in fact were aimed only at grammar. Most likely you have passed them more than once. But when checking the language level, it is very important to evaluate all skills together, as it happens on the same international exams.

You can get an overview of your learning stage and vocabulary using tests on the LingQ app website.

For English learners, there are quite good Puzzle English tests that assess several skills at once: listening comprehension, writing, speaking, grammar and vocabulary knowledge.

How to master a language at every level

At any stage of language learning, you need a clear route that would take into account your goals, provide motivation and show you where you are now.

In the Language Expert set I have collected for you my developments from language marathons that we have been running for several years, and as a result, I got an action plan for the study and practice of any foreign language. With its help, you organize your own effective and very fun learning process.

It is included in the kit?

guide "How to master the language from scratch to the result"
language log to record progress
course on language time management "How to find time for classes"
colorful and cool bonuses: 18 mind maps on the learning system, a brochure "100 ways to learn a language", a series of checklists with lists of topics to learn and practical challenges

Like the article? Support our project and share with your friends!

Any experienced teacher will tell you that before you start learning a foreign language, you need to determine your level.

This is necessary, first of all, in order not to waste too much time on already familiar material, but to immediately move on in mastering the language. Everyone knows that there is no “final” level of English proficiency unless you live in a language environment.

Any language is a living organism that constantly changes over time, new words are added to it, and some words, on the contrary, become obsolete. Even the grammar rules are changing. What was considered indisputable 15-20 years ago may no longer be relevant in modern grammar.

That is why proficiency in a foreign language is never completely complete. Any knowledge requires constant practice. Otherwise, the level you have reached is quickly lost.

What is "English language proficiency"?

But what is it, and what are the levels of knowledge of the English language? Let's figure it out.

The level of knowledge is understood as the degree of proficiency in four aspects of languages: speaking, reading and understanding texts, listening and writing. In addition, this includes knowledge of grammar and vocabulary and the ability to correctly use lexical and grammatical units in speech.

Testing for the level of knowledge of the English language is usually carried out in one form or another, wherever you come to study the language. On any training website, on courses, in private lessons with a teacher - everywhere, before determining further actions and choosing the necessary training materials, you will be tested for your level of knowledge. Moreover, these levels are very arbitrary, their boundaries are blurred, the names and number of levels differ in different sources, but, of course, there are common features in all types of classifications.

In this article, we present the levels of the English language on an international scale, comparing it to the British version of the classification.

English proficiency levels

There are two main classifications of English language proficiency levels.

The first belongs British Council is an international organization that assists in language learning and intercultural communication. Most often this distribution of competencies in the language could be found in textbooks published in Cambridge and Oxford.

The second and main one is called CEFR or The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages... It translates into Russian as "Common European scale of language competence". It was created by the Council of Europe in the second half of the 90s.

Below is the CEFR:

The gradation of the levels of the English language in the table differs from the British version in the following:

the British Council has no designation for Pre-Intermediate as such, it is located at the A2 / B1 junction;
there is everything here 6 levels of English: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2;
the first two levels are basic, the second two are sufficient, the last two are considered to be the levels of fluency in the language.

Correspondence table of levels for different assessment systems

International exams

To obtain a place in a foreign university, to work abroad or to successfully find a job in Russia, certain certificates are required. Let's consider two of the most popular and well-known ones.

TOEFL exam

If you successfully pass it, you can enter the educational institutions of the United States and Canada. The certificate of completion is valid in 150 countries of the world for 2 years. There are several versions of the test - paper, computer, Internet version. All types of skills are tested - writing, speaking, reading and listening.

The main feature is that it is impossible not to pass it, the student who completed the assignments still receives a point that corresponds to a certain level:

0-39 on the Internet and 310-434 on paper shows the level of knowledge of the English language on the A1 or "Beginner" bar.
When getting a result in the range 40-56 (433-486) you can be sure that you have Elementary (A2), that is, basic English.
Intermediate (translated as "intermediate, transitional") - these are TOEFL scores in the region of 57-86 (487-566)... Do you want to know what level it is, "Intermediate"? It corresponds to B1. You can talk on familiar topics and capture the essence of the monologue / dialogue, you can even watch films in the original, but the material is not always fully captured (sometimes the meaning is guessed from the plot and from individual phrases). You are already able to write small letters and essays in the language.
Upper, preintermediate will require the following points: 87-109 (567-636)... In translation it means "intermediate advanced". What is this level, Upper intermediate? For the owner, a relaxed, detailed conversation on a specific or abstract topic is available, including with a native speaker. Films look original, talk shows and news are also well received.
An order of magnitude higher, namely 110-120 for the Internet version and 637-677 for the paper version, required if Advanced English is required.

IELTS exam

The certificate for its completion is quite popular in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Also relevant in the case of professional migration to these countries. The test is valid for 2 years. The range of grades that can be obtained for the test is from 0.0 to 9.0. V A1 points from 2.0 to 2.5 are included. V A2- from 3.0 to 3.5. Step B assumes points from 4.0 to 6.5, and for a level C1- 7.0 - 8.0. The language is perfect - the scores are 8.5 - 9.0.

What level of proficiency should be indicated on the resume?

When writing a resume, you must correctly indicate which stage in language learning you are now at. The main thing is to choose the correct designation for the English level. The following are commonly used: Basic(basic knowledge), Intermediate(middle step), Advanced(proficiency at an advanced level), Fluent (fluency).

If there was an exam, be sure to indicate its name and the number of points received.

Advice: There is no need to overestimate your level, because any inaccuracy can be revealed quite quickly.

Why is it important to determine your level of language proficiency?

Why does a layman need information about the level of language proficiency, and does it need it at all? If you are planning to start or resume learning a foreign language, then it is simply necessary to determine your level of knowledge, of course, if you are not an absolute beginner and have previously studied English. This is the only way you can understand at what stage you stopped and where to move on.

Choosing a course of study, you will need to focus specifically on your level. So, for example, on the site you can take various courses: from a course for beginners - Beginner, to a course for students with an Intermediate level.

In order to navigate which course to choose for training, the site is provided. The system will accurately determine your level of language proficiency and suggest the appropriate course to make the training most effective.

The B2 level of English is the fourth level of the English language in the Common European Framework of Reference for the European Union (CEFR), a system for determining different language levels established by the Council of Europe. In everyday speech, this level can be called “confident”, for example “I can speak English confidently”. The official level description is "above average". At this level, students can work independently in various academic and professional environments, communicating in English, however, the range of their topics is limited and the speech does not convey all the nuances.

How to tell if you know English at a B2 level

The best way to determine if your English is at a B2 level is to take a quality standardized test. Below is a list of the main globally recognized tests and their corresponding B2 indicators:

What can you do with a B2 level knowledge of English

The B2 level of English will be enough to work in an international company in English, moreover, most professionals who use English at work as a non-native speaker speak it at this level. However, the B2 level may not be enough to catch the nuance when discussing broad topics.

According to the official CEFR guidelines, a student with a B2 level of English will:

Understands the main ideas of concrete and abstract messages, including discussion of technical details in his professional field.
Can discuss various topics with native speakers practically freely and without prior preparation, without creating additional inconveniences for them.
Can compose clear and detailed text on topics that are unfamiliar to him.
Can describe impressions, events, dreams, hopes and aspirations, state and substantiate their opinions and plans.

British	Pan-European (CEFR)	American (ILR)
Beginner / Starter Elementary Pre-Intermediate Intermediate Upper-Intermediate Advanced Proficiency	A1 A2 A2 / B1 B1 B2 C1 C2	Level 0 Level 1 - Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5