Do you know your English level?

 

Understanding a conversation in English, speaking confidently, writing an email or preparing for an official exam all require different language skills. But how can you find out what your current English level is?

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) classifies English proficiency into six levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. Each level describes what you can understand, express and do with the language in real-life situations.

Knowing your English level helps you identify what you can already do, which skills you need to improve and which course best suits your goals. It is also useful if you want to improve your English for work, continue your studies or prepare for an official qualification.

In this guide, we explain the differences between levels A1, A2, B1, B2 and C1, what you can do at each stage and how to identify your starting point.

What Are the English Levels According to the CEFR?

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is an international system used to describe and compare a person’s language proficiency. It helps guide learning, assess communication skills and interpret the results of many official language qualifications.

The framework divides language proficiency into three broad categories:

 

• A1 and A2 – Basic User: you can understand and use simple expressions and communicate in everyday situations.
• B1 and B2 – Independent User: you can understand information about familiar topics and communicate with increasing independence.
• C1 and C2 – Proficient User: you can use the language fluently, flexibly and accurately in complex situations.

 

These levels are not based solely on the grammar and vocabulary you know. They also take into account your ability to understand texts, follow conversations, express ideas and adapt to different communication situations.

That is why someone may have strong reading skills but still need more practice to speak naturally and confidently.

The Council of Europe describes these levels through a series of language competences, which you can explore in its CEFR levels table.

What Is My English Level? Characteristics of Each Level

To identify your level, it is important to assess what you can actually do in English. It is not just about remembering grammar rules, but about understanding and communicating in real-life situations.

Below, you will find a practical explanation of levels A1, A2, B1, B2 and C1.

 

A1 English Level: Beginner

A1 is the first level of the CEFR. It is intended for people who are starting to learn English or who still have very basic knowledge of the language.

At this stage, you learn to use common expressions, build simple sentences and share basic personal information.

 

What can you do at A1 level?

• Introduce yourself and share basic personal information.
• Say where you are from, where you live and what you do for a living.
• Understand very common everyday expressions.
• Ask and answer simple questions about familiar topics.
• Ask for basic information in a shop, restaurant or hotel.
• Understand short sentences when the other person speaks slowly and clearly.

 

Example: you can introduce yourself, explain what you do for a living and order a coffee in English, but you will probably need help to keep a longer conversation going.

If you are at A1 level, your main goal is to expand your vocabulary, consolidate basic structures and start practising simple conversations.

 

A2 English Level: Elementary

A2 means you already have a foundation in English and can communicate in familiar situations. You understand common expressions related to everyday life, family, shopping, work and your immediate surroundings.

 

What can you do at A2 level?

• Talk about your routine, family, work and hobbies.
• Describe people, places and everyday situations.
• Understand short messages and simple texts.
• Explain what you need in familiar situations.
• Ask and answer questions about familiar topics.
• Express preferences and opinions in simple terms.

 

Example: you can talk about what you did at the weekend, discuss your plans or have a basic conversation while travelling.

At this level, it is useful to practise common verb tenses, expand your everyday vocabulary and improve your listening skills to build confidence.

 

B1 English Level: Intermediate

B1 is the first level of independent language use. You can already communicate in many everyday situations without constantly relying on help from the person you are speaking to.

You understand the main points of conversations and texts about familiar topics, especially when the language is clear.

 

What can you do at B1 level?

• Hold conversations about work, studies, travel and personal experiences.
• Describe past events and talk about future plans.
• Express opinions and support them with simple arguments.
• Understand the main ideas in conversations about familiar topics.
• Write emails and short texts with a clear structure.
• Handle many everyday situations when travelling abroad.

 

Example: you can describe a work experience, talk about a trip or take part in a conversation about a topic you know, although you may sometimes need time to find the right words.

If you are at B1 level, you can focus on improving fluency, expanding your vocabulary and understanding conversations that use a wider range of expressions.

 

B2 English Level: Upper-Intermediate

B2 represents a more established level of independent language use. You can understand the main ideas of complex texts, including those related to your area of expertise, and communicate with a reasonable degree of spontaneity.

This level is often valued in academic and professional settings, although specific requirements vary by institution, employer and programme.

 

What can you do at B2 level?

• Hold conversations with English speakers with a good degree of fluency.
• Express opinions and develop arguments.
• Understand texts about both concrete and abstract topics.
• Take part in meetings and everyday professional conversations.
• Write clear, detailed texts on a range of subjects.
• Explain advantages, disadvantages and different points of view.

 

Example: you can take part in a work meeting, explain a proposal, defend an opinion or discuss a range of topics without having to prepare every sentence in advance.

If your goal is to obtain a B2 certificate, it is important to develop your general language skills and practise the specific tasks required by the exam you intend to take.

Idiomarum offers English courses and exam preparation to help learners develop their skills and work towards their language goals.

 

C1 English Level: Advanced

C1 indicates an advanced level of proficiency. You can understand long, demanding texts, recognise implied meanings and express yourself fluently in social, academic and professional contexts.

At this stage, it is not just about speaking correctly. It is also important to adapt your language to the context and communicate complex ideas accurately.

 

What can you do at C1 level?

• Understand long and complex texts.
• Express yourself fluently without constantly searching for words.
• Adapt your language to formal and informal situations.
• Take part in debates and develop detailed arguments.
• Write well-structured texts on complex topics.
• Use English in demanding academic and professional contexts.

 

Example: you can give a professional presentation, explain specialist concepts, defend a proposal and adapt the way you communicate to your audience.

If you already have a B2 level, preparing for C1 may be a good option if you need more advanced language skills or want to demonstrate a higher level of proficiency.

You can find out more about official English exam preparation at Idiomarum.

Comparison Table: English Levels A1, A2, B1, B2 and C1

The following table summarises the general skills associated with each level. It can help you identify the situations you can handle at the moment and decide what your next goal might be.

Remember that this comparison is only a guide. Your actual level may differ between listening, speaking, reading and writing.

For example, your reading skills may be close to B2 while you still need to improve your speaking skills to communicate more confidently.

How Can You Find Out Your English Level?

To identify your English level, you can combine self-assessment with a placement test or an assessment by a teacher. The aim is to check what you can do with the language in different situations.

These steps can help you get an idea of your level.

 

1. Assess Your Listening Skills

Listen to a conversation, video or audio recording suited to your level. Check whether you understand the main ideas, can follow the topic and need the other person to repeat many sentences.

If you only understand very simple expressions, you probably need to strengthen your foundations. If you can follow conversations about familiar topics, you may already have a more developed level of proficiency.

 

2. Check Your Speaking Skills

Try speaking for a few minutes about yourself, your work, your studies or a recent experience.

Notice whether you can form sentences, explain ideas and answer questions without planning every word in advance. Also consider whether you can keep a conversation going or constantly need help.

 

3. Assess Your Reading Skills

Read an English text that matches your level. It could be a short news article, an email, a description or a longer article.

Check whether you understand the main idea, identify important information and work out the meaning of some words from the context.

 

4. Write a Short Text

Write an email or a short text about a familiar topic. Pay attention to how you organise your ideas, use vocabulary and construct sentences.

If you can only write very simple sentences, it may be useful to strengthen your basic structures. If you can develop a topic using arguments and examples, your writing skills may be more established.

 

5. Take an English Placement Test

A placement test can help you identify your grammar knowledge, vocabulary and the skills you need to improve.

However, a written test does not always reflect your ability to speak or understand English in real-life situations. For a more complete assessment, it is best to combine it with speaking activities and an evaluation of your different language skills.

If you are unsure about your level, a teacher’s assessment can help you choose the most suitable course and set realistic goals.

What Is the Difference Between B1 and B2 English?

The main difference between B1 and B2 is the degree of independence, the complexity of the topics you can understand and your ability to express ideas spontaneously.

At B1 level, you can communicate about familiar topics, describe experiences and understand the main points of everyday conversations. You may still need time to find the right vocabulary or construct more complex sentences.

At B2 level, you can take part in conversations more naturally, develop arguments and understand more complex texts. You also have more resources to adapt to professional, academic and social situations.

In short: B1 allows you to communicate independently in many familiar situations, while B2 gives you greater flexibility when dealing with a wider range of conversations and topics.

If you want to move from B1 to B2, it is important to improve your listening skills, expand your vocabulary, practise speaking spontaneously and consolidate your grammar.

What Level of English Do You Need to Study, Work or Travel?

The level of English you need depends on the situation and the skills required. There is no single level that is right for everyone.

 

For Travelling

A2 may be enough to handle many simple situations, such as asking for information, making a reservation or explaining basic needs.

At B1 level, you can communicate more independently, describe experiences and hold conversations about familiar topics.

 

For Work

Requirements depend on the industry, the job role and the tasks you need to carry out.

For some jobs, B1 may be enough to communicate in everyday situations. Other roles, particularly those involving meetings, document writing or negotiations, may require B2 or C1.

Before preparing for a qualification, check which level the employer or institution requires.

 

For Studying

Universities, academic programmes and educational institutions may set different language requirements.

B2 or C1 may be required for certain courses, but you should always check the specific entry requirements of the programme.

 

For Preparing for an Official Exam

If you need to prove your English level, it is important to distinguish between having the required language skills and preparing for a specific exam.

Preparing for a qualification involves becoming familiar with the test format, practising the different skills and learning to manage your time effectively.

Idiomarum is an exam centre and preparation provider for the Oxford Test of English. If you need to certify your English level, you can explore the available options and decide which exam best suits your goals.

How Can You Improve Your English Level?

Once you have identified your level, the next step is to create a learning plan that helps you progress. The best way to improve is to work on different skills and practise regularly.

 

• Practise listening: listen to conversations, videos and audio recordings suited to your level. Start with material you can follow and gradually increase the difficulty.
• Speak English regularly: describe experiences, talk about situations and practise conversations about everyday topics.
• Expand your vocabulary: learn complete expressions and use them in your own sentences.
• Strengthen your grammar: practise the structures you need to express yourself more clearly.
• Read level-appropriate texts: combine simple reading materials with increasingly complex content.
• Write in English: practise emails, descriptions and short texts to improve sentence construction.
• Review your mistakes: identify recurring difficulties and practise the correct forms in different contexts.
• Set specific goals: for example, hold a conversation, understand a video or write an email without help.

 

Regular practice is more effective than studying for many hours only occasionally. A realistic routine helps you consolidate what you have learned and gradually identify the areas you need to improve.

If you want to progress with a structured plan, an English course suited to your level can help you develop the skills you need and receive guidance throughout your learning journey.

Which English Course Is Right for Your Level?

Choosing an English course depends on your current level, your availability and the goals you want to achieve.

If you need to start from scratch or consolidate your basic knowledge, it is important to work on everyday expressions, essential grammar and listening comprehension.

If you already have an intermediate level, you can focus on improving your fluency, expanding your vocabulary and communicating more independently.

If your goal is to obtain a qualification, consider a specific preparation course for the level and exam you need.

At Idiomarum, an English academy in Barcelona, we offer courses for adults, teenagers and children, with small groups and qualified teachers. Our face-to-face classes help students develop different language skills and adapt their learning to their age and level.

You can explore our English courses for adults, as well as our English courses for young learners and children, to find the option that best suits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About English Levels

How can I find out what my English level is?

You can assess your level by considering what you can do with the language in real-life situations: understand conversations, talk about familiar topics, read texts and write. A placement test and an assessment of your speaking skills can help identify your strengths and the areas you need to improve.

 

What is the most basic English level?

A1 is the first CEFR level. It allows you to understand and use simple expressions, introduce yourself and share basic personal information.

 

What is the difference between A1 and A2?

At A1 level, communication focuses on very simple expressions and personal information. At A2 level, you can handle more everyday situations and talk about familiar topics using simple sentences.

 

Is B1 an intermediate English level?

Yes. B1 is the intermediate level and corresponds to an independent user. It allows you to understand the main points of familiar topics and communicate in many everyday situations.

 

Is B2 enough to speak English fluently?

B2 allows you to communicate with a good degree of spontaneity and discuss a range of topics. However, fluency also depends on practice, vocabulary and how familiar you are with each situation.

 

What English level do I need to prepare for the Oxford Test of English?

It depends on the level you want to certify and the exam you need to take. Before starting your preparation, it is worth assessing your current skills and checking the requirements for the relevant level.

 

Can I have different English levels in different skills?

Yes. Your listening skills may be more advanced than your speaking skills, or you may be stronger in reading and writing. That is why a complete assessment should take all your language skills into account.

 

When should I take an English placement test?

A placement test is useful when you start a course, want to move to another level or need to prepare for an official qualification. It can also help you identify areas to improve after a period of study.

Discover Your English Level at Idiomarum

Knowing your English level is the first step towards setting realistic goals and choosing a course that suits your needs. Whether you are starting from scratch or aiming to progress to B2 or C1, it is important to develop the skills that will help you communicate with greater confidence.

At Idiomarum, an English academy in Barcelona, we offer face-to-face courses for adults, teenagers and children, with small groups and qualified teachers. Depending on your level and goals, you can explore our extensive and intensive courses, as well as our official exam preparation options.

If you are unsure which course is right for you, contact Idiomarum. We will help you assess your starting point and find a learning option tailored to your needs.