English proficiency levels A1–C2

There are two well-known scales for English proficiency: the European CEFR (A1–C2) and the international Beginner–Proficiency scale. We’ll look at the skills and vocabulary expected at each level on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).

We’ve also built our own English vocabulary test, which can give you a rough sense of your level.

What beginners need to know and do

Beginner levels

Level A1

Beginner — sometimes called a “survival” level.

Vocabulary — about 500 words.

Core skills at A1:

• Understanding: You can understand and use simple phrases for everyday communication. You follow slow, clear speech on familiar topics that uses the most common words.
• Speaking: Introduce yourself and get by at the airport, hotel, shop, on the street, or in a café. Ask and answer simple questions — who you are, where you’re from, friends, family, the weather.
• Reading: Read and make sense of signs and simple texts.
• Writing: Write a short message, such as a birthday greeting.

Level A2

Elementary / Pre-Intermediate.

Vocabulary — 700–1,500 words.

Core skills at A2:

• Understanding: Follow simple statements about yourself, family, friends, work, and hobbies. Get the general idea of TV news. Understand ads, station announcements and product labels.
• Speaking: Talk about yourself, family, friends, work, and hobbies in simple terms. Get by in a shop, ask for directions and express basic needs.
• Reading: Read and retell a short simple text — for example, a children’s story.
• Writing: Write a personal letter or a short business message.

How intermediate differs from upper intermediate — and what’s expected

Intermediate levels

Level B1

Intermediate.

Vocabulary — 1,500–4,000 words.

Core skills at B1:

• Understanding: Follow the main points of radio and TV programmes.
• Speaking: Handle most everyday situations in English. Talk more freely — share impressions and dreams, describe events. Give an opinion and explain your views.
• Reading: Read instructions, brochures, graded readers or children’s books.
• Writing: Manage personal and business correspondence of moderate difficulty. Write a text on a familiar topic.
• B1 is enough for some international employers and some university programmes. Roughly equivalent to TOEFL 45–70.

Level B2

Upper Intermediate.

Vocabulary — 4,000–6,000 words.

The level often required for employment. Core skills at B2:

• Understanding: Watch and follow most TV — news, interviews, talk shows, live broadcasts. Watch and understand films with subtitles.
• Speaking: Use conversational English in a range of situations and on open topics; speak with a native speaker without preparation. Discuss a wide range of issues, explain your point of view with arguments for and against and hold a detailed conversation about your profession.
• Reading: Read authentic literature; grasp the gist of a complex text on a concrete or abstract topic and retell it.
• Writing: Write a text, for example, a letter on an unfamiliar topic.
• B2 suits most international employers and most university admissions. Roughly equivalent to TOEFL 70–95.

What’s expected at advanced levels — and how large a vocabulary you need

Advanced levels

Level C1

Advanced.

Vocabulary — 6,000–10,000 words.

Core skills at C1:

At CEFR C1, you can use English fluently and confidently in a wide range of situations.

• Understanding: Follow complex texts, including specialised ones, as well as long talks and lectures. Tell accents and speech styles apart. Watch films in the original and understand most of what’s going on.
• Speaking: Speak fluently without searching for words; discuss any topic with precision and detail. Use idiomatic expressions. Take part in discussions and debates and give presentations.
• Reading: Read literature and periodicals without a dictionary and understand them. Analyse and interpret texts across genres and styles.
• Writing: Write detailed, well-structured texts on varied topics, using a range of styles and means of expression.

You should also have a strong command of English grammar. Roughly equivalent to TOEFL 100–120.

Level C2

Proficiency — near-native command.

Vocabulary — more than 10,000 words.

Core skills at C2:

CEFR C2 means you use English at a level close to a native speaker.

• Understanding: Follow complex texts on any subject, including specialised ones. Watch films in the original and understand slang, accents and idioms.
• Speaking: Communicate freely and spontaneously on any topic; use English in many settings — business negotiations, academic discussions, literary conversations and more — with precision and detail. Draw on a wide range of language resources.
• Reading: Read fiction, periodicals, and demanding texts without a dictionary, including implied meanings. Analyse and interpret texts across genres and styles.
• Writing: Write detailed articles and essays on varied topics, using a range of stylistic devices and advanced grammar. Produce complex, original texts and write business letters.