8/13/2019 English Levels

1/3

Most language schools have 6 or 7 levels. These levels are approximately :

Beginner I do not understand or speak English.

Elementary I can understand a little and can speak a few words

LowerIntermediate

I understand quite well. I can speak in familiar situations.I can read simple English, but I find writing difficult.

IntermediateI speak well, but not fluently. I understand most spoken English.I can read fairly well. I can write simple sentences, but make mistakes.

UpperIntermediate

I understand almost all spoken and written everyday English.I can speak confidently, even in unfamiliar situations and my writing isquite good.

Advanced

There are occasional errors or misunderstandings.

Generally I communicate clearly and effectively in both spoken andwritten English.

Guide to levels Beginner ElemPost-

Elem

Pre-

InterInter

Post-

InterAdv

3-part OnlineTest

0-1920-34

35-49 50-64 65-79 80-89 90-100

EuropeanFramework

A0 A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2

CAMBRIDGE KET PET FCE CAE CPE

CELS Prelim Inter Higher

BEC Prelim Inter Advanced

TOEIC 0-5960-245

246-380 381-540 541-700 701-910 910+

TOEFL 0-44 45-95 96-125 126-175 176-235 236-275 276+

IELTS 0-1.0

1.5-

3.0 3.5-4.0 4.5-5.0 5.5-6.0 6.5-7.0 7.5-9.0

Pitman Basic Elem InterInter 1st

ClassHigherInter

Advanced

Trinity 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9-10 11-12

http://www.language-course-directory.com/english-test/english-tests-A.htmlhttp://www.language-course-directory.com/english-test/english-tests-A.htmlhttp://www.language-course-directory.com/english-test/english-tests-A.htmlhttp://www.language-course-directory.com/english-test/english-tests-A.htmlhttp://www.language-course-directory.com/english-test/english-tests-A.html

8/13/2019 English Levels

2/3

ATTAINMENT LEVELS: SEVERNVALE DEFINITIONS

NOTE: The descriptions for each level apply to a learner at the top of that level, not to one just

entering it.

1.POST-BEGINNER

Can understand a few everyday expressions of simple functions in known situations, and can produce

some single words and set phrases in response, or can make requests using, for example, a single

word + please (Salt, please). Little structural grasp, except in reading, where (s)he can recognise

the existence of a few basic structural contrasts (e.g. singular/plural or continuous v. simple) even if

not always certain exactly what they mean. Can substitute items in one or two structural patterns in

writing, but not manipulate the patterns any further.

2.ELEMENTARY

Can understand many simple expressions of everyday basic functions in familiar situations and

sometimes grasp what the basic topic of a conversation in English is. Can produce understandable

questions and answers involving information above basic (e.g. Not only What is your name? but

What does your father do?) even if structures often go wrong and words are not known. In reading

can follow very simplified stories or information, and recognise the meanings of a number of structural

contrasts (e.g. the/a or I go/Im going), and can write a few simple but connected sentences on a

given topic with some awareness of the forms required, even if not always using them correctly.3.LOWER (or PRE-)INTERMEDIATE

Can understand the gist of a commonplace conversation in English, though not in detail, and can

produce English well enough to take part if spoken to carefully. Can also initiate conversation by

asking questions on a range of everyday topics (e.g. sport, or food) and can perform most everyday

social and practical functions (e.g. buying things in shops, going to the doctor) well enough to survive

comfortably. In reading can grasp the full meaning (content) including details, of simpler authentic

texts (e.g. instructions on a packet) with the exception of a few of the less common words, including

understanding the sense of most basic structures (e.g. verb tense and modals). Can write coherent

short compositions using simple but varied structures correctly on a variety of non-specialist topics

(e.g.. telling stories, personal letters, giving and explaining an opinion).

4.MID-INTERMEDIATE

Can understand the gist of a commonplace conversation involving fluent speakers, provided that someallowances are made, or occasional help given. Can produce well enough to make substantial relevant

contributions (e.g. of an example or story clearly related to the topic) and to get full and satisfactory

information from other speakers by questioning as necessary. Is functionally competent for all

everyday negotiations except where completely unpredictable problems arise. In reading can get the

gist/intention of most straightforward (i.e. non-stylised) authentic texts and can write effective

communications of information or opinion, but perhaps with a number of errors, or problems arising

from inability to handle some of the more complex structures.

5.UPPER INTERMEDIATE

Can understand well enough to hold a continuous conversation with a native speaker, even where the

speaker does not, or can not, adapt his/her language to a foreigner. Can produce well enough to

initiate new topics, change the subject, and generally take part in the management of the

conversation rather than merely responding. Can manage all normal life functions with ease, and cope

linguistically with completely new situations (e.g. a negotiation in a shop not going according to

expectations). In reading, can understand the majority of any non-specialist, modern text and begin

to respond to different registers or types of writing. Can produce fluent writing onmost kinds of

topic, including arguing for an opinion, and can use complex sentence structures without many errors.

A learner at the top of this level should be able to achieve a good pass in the Cambridge First

Certificate exam.

8/13/2019 English Levels

3/3

6.ADVANCED

Can understand native speakers of everyday standard English, even when not being directly

addressed, and can therefore take part in normal interaction on almost the same terms as a native

speaker. Can produce speech fluent enough to convey feeling, to argue and maintain a point of view,

or to convey complex information (e.g. explaining a process) to a listener. In reading, can use

specialist books written in English to acquire specialist knowledge (including new terminology), can

recognise and respond to different styles of writing and, to some extent, to shades of meaning. Can

write fluently and with relatively few errors, not only on any topic but also in a range of styles (e.g.

narrative, formal argument, business letters, prepared public speaking).

A learner at the top of this level should be able to achieve a good pass in the Cambridge Advanced

exam.

7.PROFICIENT

Native speaker standard in every skill, with two major differences: a) in understanding, a lack of long

familiarity with English culture (e.g. television programmes) may make some accents, dialects and

cultural references less accessible than they would be to a native speaker; b) on the other hand, a

Proficient student may well be more at home in all skills with the more academically educated kind

of English used in colleges, textbooks etc., than is normal with native speakers taken as a whole.

A learner at the top of this level should be able to achieve a good pass in the Cambridge Proficiencyexam