Levels of English proficiency
English knowledge standards
The Global Scale of Levels
The Global Scale of Levels
European system of foreign language levels of proficiency
The European system of foreign language levels is based on a wide range of researches done in several countries by practically tested methods. This resulted in formulating an agreed number of teaching and assessment levels. There are six major levels subdivided into initial and advanced sublevels using a classical three-level scheme with basic, intermediate and advanced sublevels. Built on successive branching principle, it starts with subdivision into three major levels A, В and C:
| Global scale of levels | European scale of levels | Your knowledge corresponds to this level |
| Beginner, Elementary | A1 Survival level (Breakthrough) | You can understand and speak in everyday situations using familiar expressions and very simple phrases. You can make yourself understood in a hotel, café, shop, in the street, etc. You can read and translate simple texts and write simple letters (for example, holiday greetings), fill in forms. You can understand slow and clear speech on matters familiar to you. |
| Pre-Intermediate | A2 Prethreshold (Waystage) | You can speak about yourself, your family, profession, preferences and hobbies (music, kitchen, seasons, etc.) You can understand advertisements, announcements in airports, shops, texts printed on various items, and posters. You can write personal and business letters read and retell rather simple texts. |
| Intermediate | B1 Threshold (Threshold) | You can speak about yourself, your family, profession, preferences and hobbies (music, kitchen, seasons, etc.) You can understand advertisements, announcements in airports, shops, texts printed on various items, and posters. You can write personal and business letters read and retell rather simple texts. |
| Upper-Intermediate | B2 Advanced threshold level | You can express yourself in various every-day and professional situations and talk without preparation with a native speaker. You can speak fluently on a wide range of topics and express your opinion on various issues providing necessary Pros and Contras. You can read unadapted books in English and retell complex texts. |
| Advanced | C1 Professional command (Effective Operational Proficiency) | You can understand different complex text perceiving implicit meanings contained in them. You can speak spontaneously without searching for words and fluently express your ideas. In every-day and professional conversations your language is rich, varied and precise. You can produce clear, logical and detailed discourses оn complicated subjects. |
| Proficiency | C2 Perfect command (Masterly) | You can understand different complex text perceiving implicit meanings contained in them. You can speak spontaneously without searching for words and fluently express your ideas. In every-day and professional conversations your language is rich, varied and precise. You can produce clear, logical and detailed discourses оn complicated subjects. |