Degree of English proficiency. English levels: from A1 to C2, from Beginner to Proficiency

Friends, you, of course, remember that studying in English divided into levels. We have already talked about initial, basic, pre-threshold, intermediate and advanced levels. Today I would like to discuss the level of professional English language proficiency, this is the Advanced level. The Advanced level is a level of fluency in English, which is assigned category C1.

About what knowledge in various areas This course of study provides what kind of English language skills it provides, what opportunities it provides and what is needed to pass this level, we will talk today.

Before you start learning English at the Advanced stage, you must be aware that this is a serious stage. This is the same level of knowledge of the English language that graduates of philological faculties of higher education should have. educational institutions. This means that the teachers teaching you English speak it at a professional Advanced level. Advanced level - professional knowledge of English

Someone may ask: but I passed the Upper Intermediate level, isn’t this enough for me to speak English fluently? No, friends, Upper Intermediate is fluent, but not professional, knowledge of English. At this stage, you can speak on almost any topic, read books in the original, watch films and TV series in English. However, if at this level you speak on the most common topics, then at the Advanced level you are able to talk about everything, even if you do not understand the topic of conversation. You will have lively spontaneous fluent and literate speech.

So, friends, you have already realized that your knowledge of the English language acquired at this level is much more extensive than at previous levels. To begin with, to test your English language skills, you can take an English proficiency test at the Beginner and Elementary levels, then a test at the Pre Intermediate, Intermediate, and Upper Intermediate levels. Make sure that your knowledge of English corresponds to these levels and that you do not have any omissions or gaps, then you can proceed to the Advanced level.

You can safely start learning English at the Advanced level if you:

• Speak almost fluently and competently different topics, but make minor mistakes and encounter minor difficulties when it comes to rephrasing your speech.
• Have a good understanding of English grammar, but want to learn more complex designs so that your speech sounds like a native speaker.
• You understand original speech well, watch films, listen to English-language music, but from time to time you resort to the help of subtitles or a dictionary.
• We had previously taken an English language course at this stage, but we had already forgotten some things.
• Previously studied at a language university, achieved a good level of proficiency in English, but want to improve your abilities and skills.
• Are you going to take a test or exam at the Advanced level?
• Recently completed English language training at the Upper Intermediate level.

Now let’s look at what material and what English language skills this stage of learning offers us.

In grammar:

• Knowledge of all verb tenses and their aspects
• Understanding and use in speech modal verbs with perfect infinitive
• Knowledge of inversion and its use in speech
• Knowledge and understanding of the three types of conditionals
• The use of complex linking words in speech, such as in fear of, with a view to, supposing, admittedly, henceforth
• Knowledge introductory structures and their use in speech
• Understanding the difference between the constructions he was to do smth, he was about to do smth, he happened to do smth, he was set to do smth

In vocabulary:

• Possession of a vocabulary of 4000 to 6000 words
• Knowledge and use of idioms, set expressions, abbreviations and phrasal verbs in English
• The concept of compatibility of words and their selection to each other
• Ability to communicate freely with business partners

• Ability to hold a conversation in English on any topic
• Possession of competent speech and clear pronunciation
• Ability to speak coherently, use long complex sentences with introductory words and complex conjunctions
• The ability to express the same thought in different ways; ability to paraphrase what has been said
• Using complex grammatical structures in speech
• Ability to operate with all tenses of verbs, passive voice, conditional sentences
• Ability to answer a variety of questions and maintain a conversation on any topic

In reading:

• Ability to read any literature in the original
• Ability to read and understand academic and technical texts of average difficulty level
• Ability to read and understand articles from BBC, The Times, The Guardian and others

In listening:

• The ability to understand the speech of the interlocutor, regardless of his pace, rhythm, accent and pronunciation
• Ability to watch films and programs in English without subtitles
• Ability to listen to audiobooks and songs in English

In the letter:

• The ability to competently construct sentences, use different tenses and constructions, serious vocabulary and complex phrases
• Ability to perform various types of written work
• Ability to write an argumentative essay on any topic

If you are not sure that you have knowledge of this course, we advise you to take the English language test at an advanced level. Perhaps you should raise the previous level a little.

As for the English language teaching program, the grammar section includes the following topics:

• All verb tenses (including active/passive voice)
• All groups of modal verbs
• Impersonal designs
• Mixed conditionals
• Inversion
• Split sentences

Speech section:

• Feelings and emotions
• Work and workplace
• Sport and health
• Law and politics
• Environment
• Technology and progress
• Education and upbringing
• Trips, free time and rest

At the end of this English language course, you can take a test, the CAE (Certificate in Advanced English) exam, to test your knowledge.

How will your knowledge improve at this level?

A professional level of English is a huge advantage. All doors are open for you. You are able to freely express your opinion in English, you can answer any questions, find out the information you need, talk on absolutely any topic.

You have a complex vocabulary, not just complex, but also active. Your speech is replete with phraseological units, stable idioms etc. You speak freely and fluently.

You perceive perfectly English speech by ear, you understand the interlocutor. Also, you can write any written work on any topic. At the Advanced level you are an English specialist!

The duration of training at this level is from 6 to 9 months. The Advanced level is what everyone who studies English should strive for. This is important and necessary not only for admission to foreign universities and when applying for a job, but will serve as the basis for self-realization and professional placement.

Did you know that 8 out of 10 people who start learning a language have a misconception about their English level? Some are inclined to exaggerate it, others, on the contrary, to underestimate it.

Because of this, you either take on material that is too difficult for yourself, leaving gaps in your knowledge, and end up getting confused. Or you start studying what you already know, wasting your time.

Only a real understanding of your strengths allows you to correctly draw up a training program, and therefore make your classes more effective.

In the article I will give you a clear understanding of what levels of English proficiency there are, how to determine your level, and what level you need to reach.

So, let's begin.

6 levels of English knowledge

I would like to start by saying that knowledge of any language is assessed according to the following proficiency criteria:

• Knowledge of grammar and vocabulary
• Ability to speak English
• Ability to express one's thoughts in writing
• Ability to understand speech by ear
• Ability to understand language when reading

That is, on different levels proficiency, you must be able to read and write, understand speech and speak English, but within the framework of the material at these levels (that is, using words and grammar that you know).

Exists international system levels of English. According to it, there are 6 levels of English proficiency.

I'm sure you're familiar with them, but let's look at them again.

1.Beginner (First level)

This is the level of people who are just starting to learn the language, or who studied it a long time ago and not at all. high level. At this level, a person knows the alphabet, basic reading rules, words and simple expressions.

2. Elementary (elementary level)

The name speaks for itself. At this level, you can use elementary constructions and phrases, simple tenses (Present Simple, Past Simple, Future Simple, Present Continuous, Past Continuous, Future Continuous), and communicate on topics familiar to you.

3. Pre-Intermediate(below the average)

You can communicate, carry on a conversation, construct more complex sentences and use more complex tenses (Present Perfect, Past Perfect, Future Perfect).

4. Intermediate (average level)

At this level, you understand English, express yourself freely, and know all tenses.

5. Upper-Intermediate(above average level)

You communicate easily on everyday topics, calmly understand what is said to you, and know all the nuances of using tenses.

6. Advanced (advanced level)

You understand English, know grammar, and can think and speak it as if it were your native language.

How to determine your level?

How to correctly determine your level of English proficiency?

To determine your real level of proficiency, you need to take a test in which you will determine the level of all those criteria that I mentioned above.

Important point: You have seen or taken English tests more than once, where you have to choose one correct answer from several. They are very common, but such tests will not help you determine your level of English proficiency. Perhaps you will answer all the questions perfectly, thereby showing that you know the theoretical part (grammar) very well.

Testing your level of language proficiency includes not only testing your knowledge, but also testing your skills. A online test will not determine practical skills: writing, reading, speaking and listening.

A proper level test should include the following:

1. Knowledge of grammar

Grammar is the rules by which words are linked into sentences. It includes: knowledge of all tenses in English and the ability to coordinate them, all parts of speech and nuances associated with their use.

2. Vocabulary

This is how many words you have in your baggage. It consists of words that you can understand when listening and reading, and which you yourself use when speaking.

That is, determining how quickly and correctly you can read English texts and understand the meaning of what you read.

4. Listening comprehension

You must be able to not just catch incoherent words, but be able to understand the entire speech: in the correct time and with meaning.

5. Ability to speak

You may know grammar and words well, but be completely unable to use this knowledge in conversation. It is this skill that is tested at this point.

By the way, our managers will help you determine your level for free at English courses in Moscow. This will allow you to know the exact level, because our test includes all these points and consists not only of written tasks, but also of oral communication with the manager in English.

Another question that students often ask is at what level should they learn a language.

To what level should I learn English?

Of course, this is determined depending on the purpose of the study, that is, on where you will apply your knowledge. Naturally, the higher your level, the freer you feel and the easier you can use the language.

For example, if you need a language to negotiate with foreign partners, then your English should be at the advanced level.

If you learn English in order to speak fluently when traveling, then the intermediate level will be enough for you.

By the way, is the intermediate level the golden mean and the minimum level to which you should learn English?

Intermediate level or “point of no return” in English

We all know that if you don't use English, you will forget it.

However, if during your studies you:

• Understand the use of rules
• You will be able to use all the material you have covered well.
• Reinforce the material and repeat it
• Do you exercise regularly?

Then, having reached the intermediate level, you will reach the “point of no return”. What does it mean?

Even if you don’t use English, your level will not drop to zero. You'll have a base you won't forget.

Why is this happening?

Having learned English to this level, you:

• Understand the structure of language (how tenses are formed)
• Repeat the material so many times that you definitely won’t forget the basic rules.

Therefore, you will remember English even if you don't use it for a long time.

This is why intermediate is the minimum you should reach when learning a language.

I wish you success in your studies, no matter what level you are at now. After all, the most important thing is your desire to learn the language and develop the knowledge you have already acquired.

Knowledge of English different people will vary. Thus, native speakers speak it perfectly, foreigners who have studied the language for a sufficient amount of time can freely explain everyday topics in it, and those who have just started learning or have been learning English for a long time know the language at an elementary level. Figuring out what level a person speaks a language is not so easy. For this purpose, there are numerous tests on the Internet; they really help determine language proficiency. But they mainly check the student’s vocabulary and grammar, but knowledge of the language is not only vocabulary and the ability to understand the rules. Therefore, in foreign language courses you will be offered not only a written test, but also will talk a little with each potential student in a foreign language, ask him various questions and invite him to speak out. Only after the student has demonstrated his knowledge in oral and written speech, in grammar and vocabulary, can one declare his level of language proficiency.

What levels of language proficiency are there?

Intermediate is an average level of English proficiency. There are 6 or 7 such levels in total, depending on different approaches to determining the level of language competence: Beginner, Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper-Intermediate, Advanced, Proficiency. Sometimes during courses foreign languages Some of these levels are broken down into sublevels to more accurately determine which group to enroll a student in.

What do you need to know at the Intermediate level?

At the Intermediate level, he is expected to have a good knowledge of the basic tenses of the English language and be able to use them in writing and speaking. The volume of his vocabulary is about 3-5 thousand words, which allows the student to speak well enough on everyday topics, understand English, and compose written texts of normal complexity. At the same time, such a student may make mistakes in speech, speak not too fluently, stammer a little, or take a long time to find words. He understands quite complex texts well - stories, novels, written literary language, popular science articles, can read the news, but does not always perceive it well by ear. A person with an Intermediate level is unlikely to be able to correctly maintain a conversation on specific and complex topics, he doesn't own business vocabulary, unless specifically trained in words and expressions with certain specifics.

In general, the Intermediate level is a fairly good level of knowledge of the English language. It may also include those who own orally not confident enough, but reads books in English well, and those who speak well, but are not very well versed in the written features of the language. This level may be sufficient for employment with the requirement of mandatory knowledge of the English language. This level of proficiency is shown by good graduates of regular schools or students of grades 8-9 of specialized schools and gymnasiums with in-depth study of the English language.

English language levels are, in fact, a system that allows you to assess how well a person speaks the language, that is, the very result of learning. There are several classifications, they can be systematized according to:

The Russian simple version has only three levels of knowledge. This:

• elementary
• average
• high

However, such a classification is rather amateurish, and it is not suitable for professionals looking for work. An employer, reviewing all kinds of resumes, seeks to identify not only theoretical knowledge, but also a practical degree of training. Therefore, the applicant usually indicates the following levels:

1. Using a dictionary
2. Speaking skills
3. Intermediate
4. Fluent

• Basic knowledge of Business English— basic knowledge of business English

International system for determining levels of knowledge

The international version is more complicated, it has a larger number of steps, due to the additional division of middle and highest degrees English proficiency. For convenience, each category is designated by a letter with a numerical index.
English proficiency scale So, below is the table Common European Framework of Reference — CEFR(Common European Framework of Reference)

Using this table, you can determine which category you will be trained in. For example, in order to get a job in some Call Center, you only need to reach level A 2 - elementary. But for you to teach someone English, A 2 is clearly not enough: for the right to teach, the minimum category is B 2 (above average).

Professional language classification scale

However, more often, when compiling a resume according to international standards, the following professional classification is used, in which the elementary level serves as the initial one, and there are actually three “near-intermediate” ones. Other scales use a 7-level division (in this case, the initial level is without a category).

In the following table we will take a closer look at exactly Intermediate(average)

As you can see, the concept of “level” is quite subjective: for some, initial or elementary is enough for training on an amateur scale, but for professionals Advanced may seem insufficient.
Level Proficiency is considered the highest, it is the most valuable and allows a highly qualified specialist to get a well-paid job abroad, and a student to get an education at a prestigious university or college.
In our native “penates” the average (Intermediate) is quite sufficient in order to:

• understand language and communicate
• watch films and read texts in English
• conduct formal and informal correspondence

Testing your English level

How to determine what level of knowledge you are at? There are many tests, here is one of them
Testing your level of English How to climb a little higher on this ladder? Only through training!

This is a topic without borders. Visit our English Courses and Books and Textbooks sections and choose your favorite technique.

Levels of English proficiency according to the European scale

It's no secret that American and British English are somewhat different, and the international classification in to a greater extent focuses on the American version, since most foreigners study this, easier, option. However, American English is foreign to Europeans. Therefore, the European English Language Framework was created.
European Framework of Reference for English Languages

1. A1 Level of survival (Breakthrough). Corresponds to the International Level Scale Beginner, Elementary. At this level, you understand slow, clear English speech and can speak using familiar expressions and very simple phrases for everyday communication: in a hotel, cafe, store, on the street. You can read and translate simple texts, write simple letters and greetings, and fill out forms.
2. A2 Pre-threshold level (Waystage). Compliant international level Pre-Intermediate. At this level you can talk about your family, your profession, personal hobbies and preferences in cuisine, music, and sports. Your knowledge allows you to understand announcements at the airport, advertising texts, stores, inscriptions on products, postcards, you know how to conduct business correspondence, and you can also freely read and retell simple texts.
3. B1 Threshold level. On the international scale it corresponds to the Intermediate level. You can already understand what we mean we're talking about in radio and television programs. You know how to express your own opinion, you can justify your views, conduct business correspondence of average complexity, retell the content of what you read or saw, read adapted literature in English.
4. B2 Threshold advanced level (Vantage). According to the international scale - Upper-Intermediate. Are you fluent spoken language in any situation, you can communicate with a native speaker without preparation. You know how to speak clearly and in detail on a wide range of issues, convey your point of view, giving weighty arguments for and against. You can read unadapted literature in English, as well as retell the content complex texts.
5. C1 Level of professional proficiency (Effective Operational Proficiency). Corresponds to the international Advanced level. Now you understand various complex texts and can identify the subtext in them, you can express your thoughts fluently without preparation. Your speech is rich language means and the accuracy of their use in a variety of situations of everyday or professional communication. You can express yourself clearly, logically, and in detail on complex topics.
6. C2 Level of mastery. According to the international scale - Proficiency. At this level, you can freely perceive any oral or written speech, you can summarize information received from different sources and present it in the form of a coherent and clearly reasoned message. You know how to fluently express your thoughts on complex issues, conveying the subtlest shades of meaning.

Strive for perfection!

There are several approaches to determining the level of foreign language proficiency. The ability to correctly determine your level allows you to set reasonable goals, select the right teaching aids, and objectively assess your capabilities when looking for a job or entering an educational institution.

When talking about the English language, the following classification is most often used:

0.Basic. This is not yet a level, it is still the absence of even an elementary level. The definition applies to those who have begun to learn a language, but it is too early to talk about the practical use of the language for any purpose.

1.Elementary. If the remnants of school knowledge allow you to understand simple inscriptions and exchange some information with a foreigner with a sin, it means that you speak English at this level. Sometimes they also allocate the Upper-Elementary level - the minimum for simple communication on a limited set of topics.

2. Pre-Intemediate. The average Russian school provides approximately this level of language proficiency, provided that you at least sometimes learn the rules and do your homework. It means the ability to explain simple topics, knowledge of basic grammar and vocabulary for everyday communication.

3.Intermediate. The level implies the ability to speak competently in a foreign language, read books and watch films with an understanding of the meaning, and write texts on various topics almost without errors. This is approximately this vocabulary plus good grammar and conversation practice.

4. Upper-Intermediate. Good knowledge of the language: large vocabulary, thorough knowledge of grammar (except for nuances), and the ability to communicate fluently, although not perfectly.

5. Advanced. Language proficiency is almost native-like. To achieve this level, it is necessary not only to study the language persistently, but also to use it for a long time.

This scale, although it is the most common in Russia, has significant drawback– everyone understands it differently. The level of English that is considered Advanced by one teacher may be perceived as Upper Intermediate by another. Even the number of levels in this classification in different sources varies from three to eight (in the most detailed version, Native Speaker is added to the six levels considered - a native speaker, and Elementary level, as previously said, is divided into two more).

More specific and clear is the modern European classification, which is used to determine the level of proficiency in English (and not only English). It was developed in 1991 at an international symposium in Switzerland with the aim of achieving mutual understanding and facilitating cooperation between language teachers. Now this scale is widely used in Europe when conducting exams and tests, compiling dictionaries and teaching aids. It includes three levels, each of which contains two sublevels.

A: Basic Speaker
A1: Breakthrough
A2: Waystage

B: Independent Speaker
B1: Threshold
B2: Vantage

C: Proficient Speaker
C1: Effective Operational Proficiency
C2: Mastery

A1. Can understand and use everyday expressions and general phrases to meet specific needs. Can introduce himself and others, ask and answer simple questions about his place of residence, people he knows, and things that belong to him. Can communicate a little provided the other person speaks slowly and clearly and is willing to help.

A2. Can understand and use common expressions to communicate about frequently encountered topics, such as personal information, family, shop, local geography, work. Communication is simply a direct exchange of information on these topics.

IN 1. Understands the meaning of messages related to regularly occurring situations at work, school, leisure, and so on. Can be explained in most situations that may arise when traveling in the area where the language is spoken. Can compose simple, coherent text on a familiar topic. Can describe events, dreams, hopes, etc., justify his opinions and plans.

AT 2. Understands the meaning of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including in his professional field. Communicates quite fluently and naturally with native speakers without significant effort on either side. Can write clear, detailed text on a wide range of topics, express his point of view, indicating the disadvantages and advantages of other opinions.

C1. Understands a variety of complex texts, recognizing implicit information. He speaks so fluently that the search and selection of words is invisible to the interlocutor. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, scientific and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, and detailed text on complex topics using organizational patterns and cohesive language.

C2. Understands almost everything he hears and reads. Speaks fluently, conveying various shades of meaning even in the most difficult cases.