Your Journey

The CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) defines six levels, A1 to C2, guiding TEFL curricula and tracking your English progress. Each level sets clear goals, from basic phrases to fluent mastery. Discover what each stage expects below and start your journey with confidence. Curious about your current level? Take my free Level Assessment Quiz.

Tell more about A1

Tell more about B1

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A1 (Beginner)

Goals: Basic phrases for needs, self/other introductions, simple personal questions, basic directions/signs, short messages.

Grammar: Subject-verb-object, basic questions, singular/plural nouns, basic articles, possessive adjectives, prepositions of place.

Tense: Present Simple.

Vocabulary: ~700 words.

Pronunciation: Basic sounds, word stress, intonation for simple questions/statements.

Communicative: Greet, introduce, ask/answer simple personal questions, understand basic directions/signs, write short messages.

A2 (Elementary)

Goals: Understand common expressions, simple routine tasks, describe background/environment/needs.

Grammar: Present Continuous, Past Simple, Simple Future, comparatives/superlatives, basic modals, conjunctions.

Tenses: Present Continuous, Past Simple, Simple Future.

Vocabulary: ~1,500 words.

Pronunciation: More complex sounds, sentence stress, distinguishing similar sounds.

Communicative: Describe routines/hobbies, share simple past/future, short notes, understand simple announcements/menus.

B1 (Intermediate)

Goals: Understand main points on familiar topics, manage travel, simple connected text, describe experiences/dreams/opinions.
Grammar: Past Continuous, Present Perfect Simple, relative clauses, basic passive, simple indirect speech, conditional (Type 1).
Tenses: Past Continuous, Present Perfect Simple.
Vocabulary: 2,500–4,000 words.
Pronunciation: Consistent individual sounds, weak forms, common intonation patterns.
Communicative: Discuss experiences/dreams, personal letters, manage travel, join everyday conversations.

B2 (Upper-Intermediate)

Goals: Understand complex text (abstract/technical), fluent/spontaneous interaction, clear detailed text, explain viewpoints.

Grammar: Past Perfect Simple/Continuous, mixed conditionals, more complex passive/reported speech, modal verbs, linking words.

Tense: Past Perfect Continuous.

Vocabulary: ~4,000 words.

Pronunciation: Accurate sounds, natural stress/intonation, prosodic features for meaning.

Communicative: Debate topics, understand complex texts (field), fluent native interaction, detailed reports/essays.

C1 (Advanced)

Goals: Understand demanding texts (implicit meaning), fluent/spontaneous expression, flexible language use (social/academic/prof.), clear detailed complex text.

Grammar: Subjunctive Mood, inversion, cleft sentences, reduced relative clauses, advanced articles, complex structures.

Tenses: Mastery of all tenses (nuanced use).

Vocabulary: 5,000–6,000 words (idioms/collocations).

Pronunciation: Near-native, consistent intonation/stress, subtle distinctions.

Communicative: Understand nuanced texts, fluent in any context, structured complex texts, specialized discussions.

C2 (Proficiency)

Goals: Understand virtually everything, summarize diverse sources coherently, spontaneous/fluent/precise expression (finer shades).

Grammar: Complete mastery, flexible/accurate use for nuance.

Tenses: Complete mastery (sophisticated/nuanced).

Vocabulary: 7,000–9,000 words, (idiomatic/colloquial/academic).

Pronunciation: Native-like, understand/use regional variations.

Communicative: Understand all, coherent summaries, effortless conversation, sophisticated arguments/narratives.