English language not lower than b1. System of language levels from A1 to C2: a detailed guide

English level C2 is the sixth and final level of English in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), a system for defining different language levels drawn up by the Council of Europe. In everyday speech, this level can be called “bilingual,” as in “I speak two languages: English and French.” In theory, a well-educated native English speaker speaks English at level C2. This level is reached relatively large number non-native English language learners because professional or academic goals generally do not require it.

How to find out if you know English at level C2

The best way to determine whether your English language skills are at a C2 level is to take a high-quality standardized test. Below is a list of the main internationally recognized tests and their corresponding C2 indicators:

What can you do if you know English at level C2?

Level of English C2 corresponds to the level of a native speaker. It allows you to read and write texts of any type on any topic, taking into account the nuances of expressing emotions and opinions, as well as actively participating in any academic or professional discussion.

According to official CEFR guidelines, a person with a C2 level of English:

1. Can easily understand almost everything he hears or reads.
2. Can analyze information from a variety of oral and written sources, producing reasoning and creating a coherent presentation.
3. Can spontaneously express his thoughts, smoothly and very accurately, differentiating shades of meaning even in the most difficult situations.

Read more about knowledge of English at level C2

Formal statements of student knowledge are broken down into smaller sub-items for instructional purposes. Such a detailed classification will help you assess your own level of English, or help the teacher assess the level of students. For example, a student who knows English at level C2 will be able to do everything that a student at level C1 can do, and also the following:

• discuss issues related to science and technology, including robotics and new inventions.
• talk about celebrities, their lives and gossip columns about celebrities.
• use various methods of applying creativity in oral and written speech.
• discuss financial planning, give and ask advice about personal finance.
• talk about the role of stress in your life and the lives of friends and colleagues.
• discuss research methods on a wide range of topics.

Of course, progress will depend on the type of course and the individual student, but it can be predicted that a student will achieve a C2 level of English proficiency after 1000 hours of study (cumulative).

Level C1 on the European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​(CEFR) corresponds to the concept of “advanced user”. Level B2 is “independent user”.

Since CEFR is a scale of competencies, that is, skills, the criteria for it are formulated based on what a person should be able to do.

Let's look at these skills by aspect and try to understand how C1 differs from B2:

Listening to speech

B2:

I can understand long passages of speech and lectures, and follow even complex developments of arguments, provided I am sufficiently familiar with the topic of the message. I can understand most television news and journalism programs. I understand most films with standard pronunciation.

C1:

I can understand long stretches of speech even when it is not explicitly structured and when the relationships between parts of a text or utterance are only implied and not expressed. I can understand movies and TV shows without too much effort.

Hooray! When moving from levels B to levels C, we are able not only to understand, but also to creatively transform speech in real time - the key thing is that at C1 a person can understand the speech of another even if that other person does not speak well.

We can already understand what our interlocutor wants to say, even if he himself did not care about it. And of course, movies and TV shows are not very difficult for us now, although sometimes we still have to work harder.

USEFUL ARTICLE

Reading

B2:

C1:

I understand long and complex literary or factual texts and can distinguish them by style. I understand articles on professional topics or lengthy technical instructions even if they are not related to my field of work.

In reading, the main breakthrough is the ability to read specialized professional literature not in one’s specialty and understand it.

Speaking skills, dialogue

B2:

I can enter into dialogue with native speakers, and I communicate fluently enough, without noticeable pauses, and spontaneously, that is, without prior preparation, to a sufficient extent for communication to be possible. I can actively participate in discussions on familiar topics, expressing and justifying my views.

C1:

I can express my thoughts fluently without preparation, and I don't have to pause to find the right words. I can use language flexibly and effectively in my personal, everyday life and for work.
I can formulate my thoughts and express my opinions accurately and in such a way that others in a conversation can easily understand how my words relate to theirs.

The key difference is how much you can fit into the flow of the dialogue. At C1, it is important not only to speak clearly, but also to speak in such a way that it is clear to everyone else that you understood them, how you understood them, and how everything you say now follows from this.

Conversation skills, monologue

B2:

I can speak clearly and in detail on a fairly wide range of topics that interest me. I can express a point of view on a certain topic, explaining the advantages and disadvantages of different options.

C1:

I can speak clearly and in detail on complex topics, dividing them into subtopics, elaborating on certain aspects, and concluding my discussions with an appropriate conclusion.

As with the previous aspect, at C1 it becomes important how much control you have over how you are understood. Instead of simply expressing your point of view, as in B2, in C1 it is important to be able to convince the interlocutor. In general, the transition from B2 to C1 is determined by the extent to which you can move from being independent to caring about how your listener understands you.

Letter:

B2:

I can write clear and detailed text on a fairly large number of topics that fall within my area of ​​interest. I may write an essay or report that presents information or argues for or against a particular point of view. I may write a letter emphasizing the personal significance of events or reflecting on my life experiences.

C1:

I can express my thoughts in clear, well-structured text, with some space given to other points of view. I can write an essay, report, or letter on a complex topic and indicate what issues I consider most important. I can choose a style that is acceptable to the recipient of my message.

In writing, when moving from level B2 to C1, it is important that we can write a text not only about what interests us, but also on abstract topics, and not only speak out, but also structure the text, think about the reader, take care of to make him feel comfortable.

Thus, one can imagine that instead of one speech personality, we develop several at once, and choose between them depending on the context.

In general, the transition to level C1 means that a person comes out of the shell of his personal interests and begins to focus on the world around him and partly on the interlocutor. Therefore, in classes you need to reinforce this transition.

How to practice to move from B2 to C1

Oral speech perception:

Listen to thematic popular science or journalistic programs, record their transcripts and draw up a plan for speaking based on the results of these transcripts. Paraphrase and write synopses, short summaries of what you heard, highlighting the main points and emphasis.

Reading

Read popular science and journalistic articles, and consciously choose those that are furthest from your area of ​​interest. Keep a dictionary of terms and expressions that appear in these articles.

Catalogs and descriptions of special-purpose devices are the best material for this. Learn new things about the world around you and write notes for yourself in a popular science style about what you learn.

Dialogue

To develop dialogue skills, you will definitely need a trained interlocutor. A professional teacher is best. Organize discussions with him, polemics by correspondence, or prepare short presentations with a question and answer session.

A conversation club will only work if it is part of a course with a group that has studied the same topics as you and is at the same level as you. Otherwise it is useless, unless the teacher has organized an ingenious peer-to-peer teaching scheme, but no one does that.

Letter

In writing, it is important that you know how to choose the genre in which you will write. Therefore, take a topic that was touched upon when you were practicing listening or reading and write three texts on it -

presentation report, article or essay and formal letter. This way you will learn to choose a style and implement different communicative intentions in writing.

What to use?

It is best to use the literature to prepare for the Cambridge CAE or CPE exams - the texts are selected on the most popular topics, and the writing tasks are well formulated to force you to practice in different styles.

If you don’t like textbooks, take authentic materials: TED, BBC. Discovery, Bloomberg thematic sites on economics, politics, medicine - everything will be of help.

Group, yourself, tutor, speaker?

At this level, there are things that you can do on your own - listening training, reading, vocabulary acquisition, but there are also things for which you need a qualified partner, a teacher: giving a presentation for yourself or writing an article that you yourself will read - It's a strange job.

The carrier or our person?

If the Russian teacher is sufficiently qualified, if he is well-educated and interested in understanding the intricacies of new topics with you, this is the best choice.
A speaker will be good if he has deep knowledge of the complex areas you will have to study, and if he has a good understanding of the psychological and structural aspects of speech. In other words, if it is a highly qualified teacher with extensive experience. If you find one, you will be happy. I've seen a couple of these in 18 years.

To more accurately track your learning progress foreign languages a certain system was invented. This article will talk about what level B2 is (level of English - above average).

English language levels

There is a pan-European scale that assesses the level of proficiency in any foreign language. The English name is Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). This is a certain system of standards that allows you to determine Conventionally, knowledge of the language is divided into 6 levels: from A1 to C2. Each of these levels also corresponds to certain indicators of other assessment systems. This table shows the relationship between levels of language proficiency in various assessment systems.

When can I start learning English at the Upper-Intermediate level?

The division between levels of knowledge of any foreign language is very arbitrary, but there are certain indicators by which current progress can be determined.

Levels of English proficiency B2 - C1 correspond to almost fluent proficiency in written and spoken language. A higher level requires an understanding of terminology in various highly specialized fields, the ability to speak on serious topics, conduct business negotiations and read classical literature in the original. It is difficult to establish clear distinctions between the stages of knowledge. But, before deciding to overcome the B2 level of English, you need to make sure that you are fluent in reading level B1 literature, and also fluent in the basic rules of grammar, can express yourself more or less fluently in the language you are studying, read the press and modern entertainment literature. And although there are still unfamiliar words, this does not affect the overall understanding of the text; you grasp the meaning and understand what is being said.

This system evaluates the linguistic skills of a student studying any foreign language, including English. Level B2, which means “advanced level,” is above average, but at this stage there may still be some shortcomings that require further elaboration.

Knowledge of grammar rules

Of course, grammar occupies the most important place when learning any foreign language. The following are the main key topics, knowledge of which is necessary at the Upper-Intermediate level.

• Time. B2 - level of English at which you are already fluent in all aspects and clearly understand in which case it is necessary to use Simple, Continuous, Perfect or Perfect Continuous. In addition, you know the table of irregular verbs and apply it in practice.
• Understand the usage (Active voice).
• Know how to convert direct speech into indirect speech.
• Know modal verbs and know how to use them, understanding the subtle differences between words such as may, might, can, ought,
• You speak impersonal forms of the verb: participle, infinitive and gerund.

Vocabulary

Considering that a good knowledge of grammatical rules is achieved already at the B1 level, the B2 level of English involves developing other skills: fluency, listening, reading literature and, of course, increasing vocabulary. At this level, attention should be paid not only to individual words, but also to phraseological units, phrasal verbs and more complex constructions.

One of the most common mistakes when learning any foreign language is the desire to memorize separate lists of words without subsequently using them in your written and spoken speech.

Any new words and phrases should be included in your speech. Those lexical units that are not used will soon be simply forgotten. When reading, write down unfamiliar words and try to make sentences, dialogues, stories or articles with them.

First of all, you should learn those foreign words whose equivalents you use in everyday life, talking about yourself, your interests, hobbies, work, goals, loved ones and friends. Another common mistake is trying to memorize lists of words, most of which you may not use often.

One of the best ways is to keep a diary. From the point of view of vocabulary replenishment, this method is useful because you learn to use vocabulary that is directly related to your life. By writing down your own observations, events, goals and dreams every day, you use exactly the same words that you use in your native speech.

Idioms and phraseological units

B2 - level of English, which assumes that you know not only simple words and constructions, but also understand and know how to use a number of idioms. These are figures of speech that are unique to a given language and do not have a literal translation. The meaning of these phraseological units is conveyed by equivalent phrases acceptable for the target language.

Knowing these set expressions will help make your speech more figurative and colorful. The table shows only a small part of all possible phraseological units. You can make your own list of phrases that you will subsequently include in your speech.

Phrasal verbs

IN English There is such a thing as phrasal verbs. Most often, this is a combination of a verb with a preposition or adverb, due to which the meaning of the original word changes. These are unique stable phrases that do not obey any rules, exist only as indivisible semantic units and carry a semantic load only in this form.

• be about - to be nearby;
• be after - to achieve something;
• be back - return;
• break out - unexpectedly begin, break out;
• bring up - to bring up;
• call for - to call for someone;
• clear up - put in order;
• come about - happen;
• come across - to meet unexpectedly;
• look for - search.

Phrasal verbs are quite common in English. However, they are used mainly in everyday speech.

Expanding your vocabulary with synonyms

Try to replace frequently used words with synonyms. This will help make speech more refined, beautiful and refined.

Reading

There is special adapted literature designed for gradual advancement from entry level (A1) to high level (C2).

These are mainly works of art by famous authors. The books are adapted in such a way that a specific set of grammatical structures and vocabulary corresponds to a specific level of foreign language proficiency. The best way to figure out what level you are currently at is to read two or three pages and count the number of words you don't know. If you have come across no more than 20-25 new lexical units, then you can start reading this book. To get the most out of the reading process, it is advisable to write down all unfamiliar words and phrases, and then work on them further. That is, include them in your vocabulary when composing stories, dialogues, keeping a diary and writing essays. Otherwise, vocabulary is quickly forgotten. You can move to the next level when you feel that work at this level is becoming boring, and there are practically no new lexical units encountered.

However, level B2 is a level of English that allows you to read not only light books, but also entertaining literature by modern authors, newspapers, and magazines.

Listening comprehension

Like reading literature, there are many adapted audiobooks. If you are still experiencing some difficulties in listening, you can first take aids that correspond to a lower level. For example, if your grammar and vocabulary are approximately at the B1 level, but you find it difficult to understand English by ear, take A2 level books in audio format. Over time, you will get used to foreign speech.

Some tips:

• Listen to a chapter of a book without first reading the text. Take a deep dive, determine what you have been able to understand, how acceptable this rate of speech is for you, and whether there are many unfamiliar words.
• Write down from memory what you learned.
• Listen again.
• Read the text, write down unfamiliar words and determine their meaning in a dictionary.
• Play recording again.

Such study will help you get used to English speech in the shortest possible time and increase your level of knowledge.

Levels of English knowledge B2 - C1 allow you to expand your opportunities. For variety, you can include films and TV series in your training. It is advisable to find films with subtitles. However, it is not advisable to use the method of learning a language by watching films with subtitles over a long period of time. Otherwise, you will get used to reading the text rather than listening to the speech of the actors.

This is one of the best methods to help you master the English language. Level B2 is quite sufficient for watching entertainment shows and series.

Development of writing

In order to learn to write fluently in the language you are studying, you need to devote time to this activity every day. Only regular work will help you begin to speak English more fluently. Choose the most suitable method for yourself. This could be writing stories, essays, keeping a diary or blog, communicating on social networks. Try to enrich your vocabulary daily, including new expressions and constructions. B2 is a level of English that corresponds to an upper-intermediate level, which means you must have the following skills:

• know how to construct not only simple, but also complex and compound sentences;
• use different designs;
• use set expressions, idioms, phrasal verbs;
• you can write an essay, story or article on a topic familiar to you;
• You correspond quite freely with native English speakers, discussing everyday issues.

Oral speech

Upper-Intermediate or B2 - the level of English corresponds to almost fluency in oral communication, provided that you discuss simple everyday topics.

The best way to improve your speaking skills is to communicate with a native English speaker. Levels of knowledge of English B2 - C1 already allow you to communicate quite freely on everyday topics with English speakers. The easiest way is to find friends on social networks or language exchange sites. However, if this is not possible, you can use alternative methods:

• briefly retell books you’ve read, TV shows or movies you’ve watched;
• try to describe everything you see: the landscape outside the window, a painting, various objects;
• Make a list of questions, then try to give a detailed answer to each of them.

It is very difficult to establish clear distinctions between levels of foreign language proficiency. However, this article will allow you to form a general idea and give approximate answers to questions about what English B2 is, what level it is and what knowledge you need to have at this stage of learning.

Do you want to take an English level test right now and find out your level of language proficiency? What are your strengths and what still needs to be learned? We invite you to take a free test online (no registration or email required), consisting of 60 questions. You will receive the result immediately as soon as you answer the last question.

English level test - instructions

The test determines the level of knowledge of the English language and divides students into 5 groups - from initial (elementary) level to advanced.

The test tests knowledge of language structures (36 questions) and vocabulary (24 questions). In total, you need to answer 60 questions, each of which is given a choice of one of four answers. If you do not know the correct answer to a question and do not mark anything, then the answer to it will be considered incorrect.

There is no time limit for taking the test, but try to keep it within 40-45 minutes - this is the time for which this test is designed. For a more accurate assessment of knowledge, it is better not to use dictionaries and textbooks.

Determining your English level

You can determine the result yourself in accordance with the table below, depending on the number of points you score. Read also our articles on how to prepare and pass international tests: and.

Please note that the English level test only provides approximate scores and cannot be used for admission to educational institutions. In addition, this test does not assess your writing, reading or speaking skills.

CEFR level ( Common European Framework of Reference (level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is a unified system for assessing language knowledge, using which you can compare even the knowledge of different languages, for example, your English is at level B1, and Chinese is at level A2.

So, let's take the test.

TEST (60 questions)

Choose the most appropriate word or phrase for each question

When learning a new language, not everyone can answer questions about how much progress has occurred since learning began, and how much longer to “learn” to reach the set goal. And this is where the gradation of language levels, which is used in the European Union, is very useful.

The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) is a standard system developed by the Council of Europe in the early 90s to determine the quality of knowledge and skills in a foreign language.

This system is used internationally for the study, teaching and examination of any language and determines the level of proficiency in speaking, understanding, reading texts and writing.

Language level system

The CEFR system is divided into 3 main stages of 2 levels each:

• Category A is responsible for basic knowledge of a foreign language and is divided into the survival level (A1) and the pre-threshold level (A2).
• Category B represents a level of self-sufficient language proficiency, which is divided into threshold level (B1) and threshold advanced level (B2).
• Category C shows the level of fluency in a foreign language, this is the level of professional proficiency (C1) and the level of perfect proficiency (C2).

Why do you need to determine your language level?

1. First of all, it is important for a person who is learning a new language to understand how he is progressing in learning the language, what he can already do, and where there are gaps. Knowing how much has been accomplished since the beginning of training, and how close the goal is, is very important, at a minimum, to maintain motivation.
2. Foreign universities and companies also need the ability to determine the level of language learning of candidates for admission or employment. This way they can understand whether the applicant has enough necessary knowledge, qualifications and skills. Or vice versa: they will tell you what else needs to be worked on. In such situations, they usually pass one of the international exams and receive a certificate indicating their language level (the type of exam is selected depending on the purpose of passing it).

Each language level is characterized by a specific set of skills and knowledge. Let's figure out what each stage includes and define ours.

Entry level (A1)

From this stage the process of learning the language begins. But even to reach this level, you need to work a little. Having received level A1, the student can carry on a light conversation (greet the interlocutor, find out and answer how you are doing, tell simple facts about your biography, make a request, express gratitude, apologize, answer basic questions, end the conversation). The student also begins to understand slow and clear foreign speech in simple sentences.

This stage can be called the base or linguistic foundation on which everything else will be built. Therefore, it is advisable to go through it with a good teacher. And since at this stage it is too early to talk about listening comprehension or fluency, it is important to practice regularly and receive feedback and encouragement from a mentor and like-minded people.

Elementary level (A2)

At this stage, the student has a fairly confident command of the language base. And if previously a person operated with monosyllabic phrases, now he speaks and answers questions in more detail on topics such as life, relatives, favorite activities, work and study, and everyday affairs. With this level, you can solve simple problems abroad: make purchases in a store, find your way around, ask to change linen in your room, exchange money, in general, communicate quite comfortably on a short trip abroad, using the knowledge you already have.

Pre-intermediate level (B1)

If you decide to continue learning a language beyond the basic knowledge and skills, you gradually move to the next level. Here it is important to demonstrate the ability to express your own opinion on issues that you encounter at work, school, and home.

A student at level B1 easily shares plans, talks about past and future events, is able to describe the situation, and also understands the main essence of a text or audio message on the topics listed above and personally interesting to him, based on the context.

At this stage, you can communicate and resolve almost all issues that you may encounter abroad.

Intermediate level (B2)

At this level, the development of fluency in speech and clearer listening comprehension continues. The student can boast of understanding text and audio on a completely diverse range of topics, including narrow topics.

Speech becomes confident, and the ability to maintain spontaneous conversation appears. The student no longer feels problems when communicating in a foreign language, and is able to clearly and reasonably explain his point of view, express any ideas and thoughts, using the vocabulary that he already has.

At the same stage, you can move more actively towards your goal by studying vocabulary and materials on the desired topic (business, travel, immigration...), listening to specialized videos and audio.

Upper Intermediate (C1)

This is where the fun begins, because a foreign language becomes practically native. A person even understands the hidden meaning in voluminous messages, texts, video and audio materials, foreign humor, sarcasm, puns...

Speech is spontaneous and fast, it contains linking words and slang expressions that can be heard in the speech of native speakers. You can use the language in your profession and even scientific activities.

Advanced level (C2)

Here you are very close to the level of a native speaker. It is assumed that you can use a foreign language in any situation: from traveling to renting an apartment in a new country, from a business trip to giving a lecture at an event abroad, from undergoing an interview to writing business letters.

You will be able to communicate correctly in both formal and informal settings. In this case, idioms, colloquial phrases, linking words, and jokes will be used appropriately. But, of course, the opportunity to speak on various topics depends here not only on knowledge of the language, but also on the general outlook.

At an advanced level, you can easily choose where and how to practice the language, and use your knowledge and skills to achieve your life goals. You can develop your business in a foreign market, travel around the world, learn and develop, watch original movies, read books, and so many other interesting things!

How to find out your language level

On the Internet, you have probably come across many tests to determine your language level, which in fact were aimed only at grammar. Most likely you have gone through them more than once. But when checking your language level, it is very important to evaluate all skills together, as happens in the same international exams.

An overview of your stage of learning and vocabulary you can get using tests on the LingQ application website.

For English learners, there are good Puzzle English tests that assess several skills at once: listening comprehension, writing, speaking, grammar and vocabulary knowledge.

How to master a language at every level

At any stage of language learning, you need a clear route that takes into account your goals, provides motivation and shows where you are now.

In the Language Expert set I have collected for you my findings from the language marathons that we conducted for several years, and in the end we came up with an action plan for learning and practicing any foreign language. With its help, you organize your own effective and very exciting learning process.

What's included in the set?

• guide "How to master a language from scratch to results"
• language log to record progress
• language time management course "How to find time to study"
• colorful and cool bonuses: 18 mind maps on the learning system, a brochure “100 ways to learn a language”, a series of checklists with lists of topics to study and practical challenges

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