English Language Levels

Beginner - No knowledge of English

Elementary - At elementary level you make simple sentences and questions, recognise the English alphabet and some knowledge of English phonetics. Use common everyday vocabulary such as dates, food and drink, weather. Understand common verbs and the past and present verb tenses. Understand simple, clear commands, statements and questions.

Pre Intermediate
At pre-intermediate level you have short conversations in everyday situations such as a restaurant, asking directions. Pronounce common English words clearly and confidently describe feelings, appearance, places and perform language functions such as complaining. Understand the four main verb forms - future, past, present and present perfect read and understand information leaflets, signposts.

Lower Intermediate
At lower intermediate level you have longer conversations and express ideas with some hesitation. Use intonation and word stress as well as pronouncing longer words. Use words to express opinions and abstract ideas use verb tenses quite accurately and make longer sentences with mistakes. Understand a native speaker speaking at normal speed on familiar topics.

Intermediate
At intermediate level you speak quite accurately with some hesitation about familiar topics. Use English phonetics so they are mostly understood by a native speaker. Understand the majority of words used in everyday situations. Form long sentences without difficulty and join sentences together understand and respond to native speakers speaking on familiar and unfamiliar topics.

Upper Intermediate
At upper intermediate level you speak without hesitation and you are widely understood by native speakers. Discuss and present your opinion on concrete and abstract issues. Detect different English accents and recognise the intonation used to express anger, sarcasm, joy etc. Guess the meaning of new words accurately without using a dictionary, understand more uncommon English words and make accurate long sentences, with some errors. Understand a native speaker speaking quickly and at length on a topic.

Advanced
At advanced level you speak with the same confidence as a native speaker with few mistakes, use intonation like a native speaker and pronounce most English words accurately. Have a thorough knowledge of formal and informal English and will only have to look up specialised vocabulary make a variety of complicated sentences with very few errors. Easily understand films and novels in English.