English Proficiency Levels: A Guide to Determining Your Level (2023)

FAQs

How do I know my English proficiency level? ›

The most reliable way to find out your English level is to take a well-designed assessment test. There are many tests to choose from, but taking the EF SET is a good place to start. You can use your EF SET score as an English level certification on your CV and on LinkedIn.

What is the difference between A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2 in terms of language levels? The three broad levels are A1/A2 ("Basic User"), B1/B2 ("Independent User"), and C1/C2 ("Proficient User"). Let's take a look at what you should be able to communicate at the various levels set out by CERF.

Level B1 corresponds to independent users of the language, i.e. those who have the necessary fluency to communicate without effort with native speakers.

Level C1 corresponds to users who can express themselves fluently and spontaneously. They can use language flexibly and effectively for all purposes.

Is B2 fluent? ›

Reaching B2 is generally considered by most people as having basic fluency. You'll have a working vocabulary of around 4000 words. It's not always effortless and it's not always perfect, but neither you nor your native speaking partners are having a really hard time in most circumstances at this point.

This standard includes 6 distinct English levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2. Some institutions also recognize the pre-A1 level, though it is not as common.

There are 6 English levels determined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). These levels are expressed as A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2. The CEFR English levels are widely accepted as the global standard for grading an individual's language proficiency.

The CA ELD Standards define three proficiency levels—Emerging, Expanding, and Bridging*—to describe the stages of English language development through which ELs are expected to progress as they improve their abilities in listening, speaking, reading, and writing English.

The EnglishScore ranges from 0-599 and assesses your grammar, vocabulary, reading and listening skills.

A C2 Proficiency qualification shows the world that you have mastered English to an exceptional level. It proves you can communicate with the fluency and sophistication of a highly competent English speaker.

The variety of English with the largest number of native speakers is American English, with 225 million native speakers. The other major varieties of English are Canadian English, Australian English, New Zealand English, South African English and Indian English.

Limited English proficiency (LEP) is a term used in the United States that refers to a person who is not fluent in the English language, often because it is not their native language.

What are the 4 levels of English language proficiency? ›

There are four domains to language proficiency: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Language proficiency is measured for an individual by each language, such that the individual may be proficient in English and not proficient in another language.”

Using a consistent and clear metric, rate your level of expertise for each hard skill and language on your resume. It's important to show your proficiency so that others will immediately understand, and using words like beginner, intermediate, proficient, and expert are commonly used for this purpose.

To get from A1 to A2, it typically requires 100-150 hours of guided learning, but it can take 180-260 hours to get from B1 to B2.

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.

The highest level on the CEFR scale is C1, which is close to the level of English proficiency of native speakers.

At Duolingo, we use the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) to set goals for different proficiency levels when we design our courses. The levels are labeled A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2, and they cover increasingly complex language needs.

C1 Advanced is targeted at the C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), while C2 is targeted at the C2 CEFR level. C2 Proficiency is therefore the more difficult of the two exams.

B2 First – Level C1

If you achieve a scale score of 180–190 (grade A) in your exam, you will receive the First Certificate in English stating that you demonstrated ability at Level C1.

B2 also takes around 3 months if you spend around 8 hours a week. P.S.: There are some people who are good at learning languages and remembering stuff who finished it all in 3-4 months. It all depends on how easy this comes to you and how much time you're spending on it.

Is B2 English Excellent? ›

Level B2 corresponds to a more advanced, more independent level than previous levels. A B2 user can communicate easily and spontaneously in a clear and detailed manner. This is not yet an experienced speaker, but a B2 user is able to understand and be understood in most situations.

A1 English level

Level A1 corresponds to basic users of the language, i.e. those able to communicate in everyday situations with commonly-used expressions and elementary vocabulary.

If a person is at A1, this is elementary level. He/she can do the following: Understand and use very frequently-used everyday expressions as well as simple phrases to meet immediate needs.

If you want to study at a university in the United States, you must obtain a visa, which will depend, in part, on being able to communicate in the language with a minimum level of English of B2 .

They can understand the main points of clear texts on familiar topics in standard language. They can manage most situations on a trip to places where English is used. They can produce simple, organised texts about familiar topics.

The CEFR divides language ability into six levels (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2). It also gives an internationally-recognised description of each level.

There are 6 English levels determined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). These levels are expressed as A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2. The CEFR English levels are widely accepted as the global standard for grading an individual's language proficiency.

The Level 4 (operational) proficiency is considered as a minimum 'stepping stone' to higher levels. The main benefit of high international standards of aviation English is that communications between aircraft crew and controllers are fully understood, particularly when non-standard words and phrases are used.

What level of proficiency is fluent? ›

5 - Primary fluency / bilingual proficiency. Level five means you are entirely fluent in a language. You were raised speaking the language or have spoken it long enough to become proficient in it. Your accent is either nonexistent or barely recognizable.

A C2 Proficiency qualification shows the world that you have mastered English to an exceptional level. It proves you can communicate with the fluency and sophistication of a highly competent English speaker.

Level 1. Ability to use and understand single words and/or chunks in oral discourse. Ability to use and understand simple, memorized written English with visual support. Ability to use most common vocabulary.

English language learner (ELL) refers to a student who is age 5 or older and who is learning English as a second language. English as a second language (ESL) is an approach in which students who are not native English speakers are mainly taught in English. It focuses on language skills rather than content.

Students learning a second language move through five predictable stages: Preproduction, Early Production, Speech Emergence, Intermediate Fluency, and Advanced Fluency (Krashen & Terrell, 1983).

Level 2. Ability to use and understand phrases and short sentences in oral discourse. Ability to use and understand simple written English with instructional support, but errors often impede meaning. Ability to use high frequency vocabulary.

Low expressive and receptive vocabulary. Level 3 - Developing. Able to communicate more effectively in English. Oral and written communication may still contain some errors that impact meaning. Able to follow more complex verbal directions.