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English levels explained

Would you like to know more about the English levels we offer for our English courses? On this page you learn about the different English levels according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

From the English A1 level up to the English C1 level.

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What to find on this page?

About the English levels

To get an impression of the different levels, we wrote down the abilities related to each level. The levels of the English language courses are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Related to our English group courses

The description of the levels are based on our general English group courses, courses in which you will go from one level to another and cover all the aspects of the language.

We also offer English conversation courses, which are split into two level groups (A2-B1 and B2-C1). The conversation courses only focus on improving your speaking skills, so don’t go from one level to another.

Related to our English private lessons

Furthermore, we offer English private lessons. Private lessons are suitable for all levels and lessons are more flexible. With private lessons you can focus on any aspect and can achieve any Dutch level.

English A0 to A1 level – Beginners level explained

English A0 is the starting level for absolute beginners who have no prior knowledge of the English language.
In our English beginners course, you progress from A0 to A1, which is the first official CEFR level.

Starting level: A0 (absolute beginner)

At the Dutch A0 level, you:

Are new to English sounds, vocabulary and sentence structure
Have no or almost no knowledge of English

This level is only a starting point, not an official CEFR end level.

End level after the course: A1

After completing the English beginners A1, you reach the English A1 level.

What can you do at English A1 level?

By the end of the beginners A1 course you will have the A1 level and you can:

Can interact in a simple way and ask and answer simple questions, initiate and respond to simple statements in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics.
Can understand everyday expressions aimed at the satisfaction of simple needs of a concrete type
Can understand questions and instructions addressed carefully and slowly to him/her and follow short, simple directions.
Have a basic vocabulary repertoire of isolated words and phrases related to particular concrete situations.
Show only limited control of a few simple grammatical structures and sentence patterns.

Suitable courses

English beginners A1 course (semi-intensive)
English beginners A1 course (intensive)
English private lessons

English A1 to A2 level – Elementary level explained

English A1 is the level for learners who already have basic knowledge of English and can handle simple everyday situations.
In the English elementary A2 course, you progress from A1 to A2, the next official CEFR level.

Starting level: A1

At the English A1 level, you:

Use basic English words and phrases in familiar situations
Ask and answer simple questions about yourself and daily life
Understand slow and clearly spoken English on common topics

End level after the courses: A2

After completing the English elementary group courses, you reach the English A2 level.

What can you do at English A2 level?

By the end of the A2 course you will have the A2 level and you can:

Can interact and understand with reasonable ease in structured situations and short conversations, provided the other person helps if necessary. Can manage simple, routine exchanges without undue effort; can ask and answer questions and exchange ideas and information on familiar topics in predictable everyday situations.
Can identify specific information in simpler written material he/she encounters such as letters, brochures and short newspaper articles describing events.
Can give a simple description or presentation of people, living or working conditions, daily routines, likes/dislikes, etc.
Have a sufficient vocabulary for the expression of basic communicative and survival needs.
Use some simple grammatical structures correctly, but still can makes basic mistakes – for example tends to mix up tenses but can convey the message.

CEFR A2 Elementary level for English A2 course — English Elementary level (A1 → A2)

Suitable courses

English A2 to B1 level – Pre-intermediate level explained

English A2 is the level for learners who can already communicate in simple, everyday situations.
In the English pre-intermediate B1 course, you progress from A2 to B1, the level where you start using English more independently. With the A2 and B1 level you can also take the English conversation course 1.

Starting level: A2

At the English A2 level, you:

Communicate in short and simple conversations
Understand frequently used expressions related to daily life, work and family
Describe your background, environment and basic needs
Follow simple spoken English when it is clearly articulated

End level after the courses: B1

After completing the English pre-intermediate group course, you reach the English B1 level.

What can you do at English B1 level?

By the end of the B1 course you will have the B1 level and you can:

Can understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure etc., including short narratives.
Can read straightforward factual texts on subjects related to his/her interests and professional field with a satisfactory level of comprehension.
Can enter unprepared into conversation of familiar topics, express personal opinions and communicates with reasonable accuracy in familiar contexts; generally good control though with noticeable mother tongue influence.
Can describe dreams, hopes, ambitions and narrate a story with fair vocabulary.
Can write straightforward connected texts on a range of familiar subjects within his/her field of interest, by linking a series of shorter discrete elements into a linear sequence.
Have a sufficient vocabulary to express him/herself on familiar topics as family, hobbies and interests, work, travel, and current events.

Suitable courses

English B1 course (semi-intensive)
English B1 course (intensive)
English conversation course 1 (regular)
English conversation course 1 (intensive)
English private lessons

English B1 to B1+ level – Intermediate level explained

English B1 is the level where you can function independently in many everyday and professional situations.
In the English intermediate group course, you progress from B1 to B1+. With the B1 level you can also take the English conversation course 1, while with the B1+ level you can take the English conversation course 2.

Starting level: B1

At the English B1 level, you:

Understand the main points of spoken and written English on familiar topics.
Participate in conversations and express opinions in everyday situations.
Describe experiences, plans, and ambitions in a clear but simple way.
Write short, connected texts on familiar subjects.

End level after the courses: B1+

After completing the English intermediate group course, you reach the English B1+ level.

What can you do at English B1+ level?

By the end of the B1+ course you will have the B1+ level and you can:

Can understand straightforward factual information about common everyday or job related topics, identifying both general messages and specific details, provided speech is clearly articulated in a generally familiar accent. Can understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure etc., including short narratives.
Can read and scan straightforward factual texts on subjects related to his/her field and interest with a satisfactory level of comprehension.
Can communicate with some confidence on familiar routine and non-routine matters related to his/her interests and professional field, express thoughts on more abstract, cultural topics such as films, books, music etc.
Can maintain a conversation or discussion but may sometimes be difficult to follow when trying to say exactly what he/she would like to.
Can describe dreams, hopes and ambitions as well as events, real or imagined.
Can write straightforward connected texts on a range of familiar subjects within his field of interest, by linking a series of shorter discrete elements into a linear sequence
Have a sufficient vocabulary to express him/herself about familiar topics pertinent to his everyday life such as family, hobbies and interests, work, travel, and current events.
Grammatically talking, communicates with reasonable accuracy in familiar contexts; generally good control though with noticeable mother tongue influence. Errors occur, but can communicate short accurate ideas.

Suitable courses

English B1+ course (semi-intensive)
English B1+ course (intensive)
English conversation course 1 (regular)
English conversation course 1 (intensive)
English private lessons

English B1+ to B2 level – Upper-intermediate level explained

English B1+ is the level where you can use English effectively for work and study.
In the English upper-intermediate group course, you progress from B1+ to B2 level. With these levels you can also take the English conversation course 2.

Starting level: B1+

At the English B1+ level, you can:

Understand clear spoken and written English on familiar and some work-related topics, including main ideas and details.
Communicate with confidence in familiar situations and discuss routine and some abstract topics.
Maintain conversations and express ideas clearly, even if phrasing is sometimes imprecise.
Write clear, connected texts on familiar subjects with reasonable grammatical accuracy.

Until level: B2

By the end of the B2 course you will have the B2 level and you can:

Can understand standard spoken language, live or broadcast, on both familiar and unfamiliar topics normally encountered in personal, social, academic or vocational life.
Can read with a large degree of independence, adapting style and speed of reading to different texts and purposes, and using appropriate reference sources selectively. Has a broad active reading vocabulary, but may experience some difficulty with some idioms.
Can use the language fluently, spontaneously, accurately and effectively on a wide range of general, academic, vocational or leisure topics, marking clearly the relationships between ideas with good grammatical control without much sign of having to restrict what he/she wants to say, adopting a level of formality appropriate to the circumstances.
Do not make grammatical mistakes which lead to misunderstanding.
Can give clear, detailed descriptions and presentations on a wide range of subjects related to his/her field of interest, expanding and supporting ideas with relevant examples and express him- or herself confidently, clearly and politely in a formal or informal situation.
Have a very good range of vocabulary for matters connected to his/her field and most general topics.

Suitable courses

English B2 course (semi-intensive)
English B2 course (intensive)
English conversation course 2 (regular)
English conversation course 2 (intensive)
English private lessons

English B2 to C1 level – Advanced level explained

English B2 is the level where you can use English comfortably for work, study and daily life.
In the English advanced group course, you progress from B2 to C1 level. With these levels you can also take the English conversation course 2.

Starting level: B2

At the English B2 level, you can:

Understand spoken and written English on both familiar and unfamiliar topics with a high level of comprehension.
Communicate fluently, accurately, and spontaneously in a wide range of professional, academic, and social contexts.
Express ideas clearly and in detail, adapting tone and formality to the situation.
Use a broad vocabulary and strong grammatical control without causing misunderstanding.

Until level: C1

By the end of the C1 course you will have the C1 level and you can:

Can understand enough to follow extended speech on abstract and complex topics.
Can recognise and use a wide range of idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms.
Can understand in detail a wide range of lengthy, complex texts likely to be encountered in social, professional or academic life, identifying finer points of detail including attitudes and implied as well as stated opinions.
Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously, almost effortlessly. Has an outstanding command of vocabulary, idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms.
There is little obvious searching for expressions or avoidance strategies; only a conceptually difficult subject can hinder a natural, smooth flow of language.
Can easily keep up with the debate, even on abstract, complex unfamiliar topics.
Can write clear, well-structured texts of complex subjects, underlining the relevant salient issues, expanding and supporting points of view at some length with subsidiary points, reasons and relevant examples, and rounding off with an appropriate conclusion.
Consistently maintain a high degree of grammatical accuracy; errors are rare and difficult to spot.

Suitable courses

English C1 course (semi-intensive)
English conversation course 2 (regular)
English conversation course 2 (intensive)
English private lessons

English C1 to C2 level – Advanced proficiency level explained

Suitable courses

English private lessons

Related to our English group courses

Related to our English private lessons

English Elementary level (A1 → A2)