Language level A2. How CEFR assesses language proficiency

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 else is there to learn? We invite you to take a free online test (registration and input is not required) Email), consisting of 60 questions. You will receive the result 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 elementary (elementary) to advanced.

The test tests knowledge of language constructs (36 questions) and vocabulary(24 questions). A total of 60 questions must be answered, 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 on it will be considered incorrect.

There is no time limit for passing the test, but try to keep 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 the level of English

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

Please note that the English level test only provides estimates 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 - The level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is a unified system for assessing language knowledge, using which even knowledge can be compared with each other. different languages For example, your English is at level B1, and your Chinese is at level A2.

So let's get to the test

TEST (60 questions)

Choose the most the right word or a phrase for each question

What is the division of languages ​​into levels, and why are they needed? About everything in order. Common European system language levels(and in particular, the system of levels of Spanish) was created in order to control the amount of knowledge required to learn the language at each stage, as well as to assess the student's lexical abilities. Besides, this system provides enough accurate estimate his real linguistic competence.

Spanish Proficiency Levels:

Level A1 - elementary level of Spanish

Duration: 60 academic hours

You will start this level without any knowledge of the language, but very soon you will get acquainted with basic structures such as: , articles, and first words. By the end of the level, you will know how to communicate in everyday easy situations on the topic of shopping in stores, ordering food in a restaurant, as well as being able to introduce yourself and talk a little about yourself and your hobbies. In addition, you will begin to learn verbs in the present tense, reflexive verbs and learn a little about one of the types of past tense (pretérito indefinido).

According to the Common European Framework of Reference for Possession foreign language A student who has passed this level is able to understand and respond to simple questions and is also able to compose simple texts. And this is just the beginning exciting journey to learn Spanish!

Greeting and farewell
. Be able to introduce a guest or friend and respond when meeting
. Ask for an apology.
. Thank.
. Show that you do not understand.
. Asking someone to speak more slowly or louder.
. Ask to repeat what was said.
. Ask to write a word, sentence, etc. that interests you.
. Describe people, places, and objects.
. Communication about daily activities in the present.
. Talk about plans and projects.

. Express knowledge and ignorance.
. Ask if it is possible or impossible to do something.
. Talk about tastes, what you like/dislike.
. Ask and express wants and needs.
. invite and offer something
. Accept or decline an invitation or offer
. Start and end a conversation.

Basic phrases (greeting, farewell).
. Basic questions (qué, cómo, cuál, etc.).
. Survival phrases, invitations, requests, etc.
. Alphabet. Fundamentals of pronunciation and intonation.
. Noun. Adjective. Articles.
. Days of the week, months and seasons.
. Numbers.
. Pronouns.
. Use of the verb SER (beginning).
. Use of the verb ESTAR (beginning).
. The difference between using HAY and ESTAR.
. Demonstrative pronouns.
. Possessive pronouns.
. Adverbs of place.
. The main provisions of the place.
. Verb hacer (to do).
. Regular verbs in present time.
. Irregular verbs in the present tense (most frequently used).
. Use of the verbs saber and conocer.
. Some modal verbs: poder (to be able), querer (to want/love), tener que (to be due).
. Most commonly used reflexive verbs
. Verb GUSTAR (like).
. También (also, the same), tampoco (also not).
. Preterito indefinido (past perfect tense), conjugation of regular and irregular verbs(the most widely used) (ser, estar, tener).
. Structure IR A + INFINITIVO.

The use of language in a variety of social and cultural situations in the Hispanic world.
. Information about the life and habits of the inhabitants of Spain
. Information about famous personalities Spain (actors, artists, singers, athletes, etc.).

Level A2 - elementary level of Spanish

Duration: 120 academic hours. (2 levels of 60 academic hours: A2.1 and A2.2)

Level A2 is very important and significant step on the way to intermediate proficiency Spanish. At this stage, you will already be able to understand the most frequently used phrases and expressions and communicate more freely on daily topics (for example, talk about yourself, your work, hobbies, health and other easy topics in more detail).

If we talk about grammar, then you can already use three past tenses in your speech indicative mood(pretérito perfecto, indefinido e imperfecto) as well as the present tense (presente) and the future tense (futuro). And this means that you will be able to tell the interlocutor about the events that have already happened or about your plans for the future. All this will make your speech even richer and more interesting.

This knowledge will no doubt be enough for a simple conversation with a native speaker.

The ability to describe a situation or event in the past tense
. The ability to express one's thoughts in the future tense
. Comparison of people, objects, places, situations.
. Express your own and learn someone else's opinion about something or about someone.
. Express a degree of confidence.
. Ask permission/deny permission.
. Express and ask about desires.
. Express and ask for preferences.
. Express and ask about needs.
. Explain and ask the interlocutor about the state of health, symptoms of the disease.
. To offer something to do, to respond to an offer.
. Express surprise, joy, interest.
. Congratulations on the holidays.
. Know how to address the interlocutor.
. Be able to ask questions about something that you forgot: a question, an expression, etc.
. Invite and offer something.
. Accept or reject an offer
. Start and end a dialogue.

Repetition level A1
. Expanding the scope of the verbs SER and ESTAR.
. Continued study of regular and irregular verbs.
. Learning new verbs similar in conjugation to the verb “GUSTAR”: doler, molestar, parecer.
. Pretérito Imperfecto (Past Incomplete)
. Difference between Pretérito Indefinido and Imperfecto tenses.
. Futuro de Indicativo (future unfinished tense).
. Structure Si + Presente + Futuro.
. Modal verbs: poder, deber, tener que.
. Verb ESTAR + Gerund.
. Direct and indirect speech.
. Use of pronouns
. Imperative mood for the pronouns YOU and YOU

Level B1 - Intermediate Spanish

Duration: 120 academic hours. (2 levels of 60 academic hours: B1.1 and B1.2)

At the end of this level, your knowledge will allow you to feel confident being in Spain or countries Latin America and respond to everyday situations without problems.

You will already have no problem maintaining a conversation with a native speaker on topics familiar to you: express your opinion, explain what happened to you, talk about your desires and plans, and also defend your point of view, which is important. Usually students reach this level in 8-10 months.

In addition, you will be able to write simple logically related texts on topics that are familiar or interesting to you.

Description in detail what happened in the past.
. Express intentions, conditions, goals.
. Offering and asking for help, accepting and rejecting it.
. Express agreement or disagreement with something.
. To express impossible desires, or difficult to fulfill.
. Find out if someone knows about something or someone.
. Express hypothetical plans.
. Be able to apologize for another and respond to an apology.
. Be interested in the health of others.
. Be able to communicate on certain topics and conduct a conversation.
. Give examples during the conversation.
. End the conversation.
. Show that you understand the conversation.

. Presente de subjuntivo
. Continued study of direct and indirect addition.
. Location of pronouns.
. Difference between Indefinido and Imperfecto.
. Using conditional simple time (Condicional).
. Using the prepositions POR and PARA,
. Indefinite pronouns and adjectives.
. Time El Preterito Pluscuamperfecto Indicativo.
. Oraciones de relativos.
. Affirmative imperative
. Introduction during imperfecto de subjuntivo.

Level B2 - Advanced Spanish

Duration: 180 academic hours. (3 levels of 60 academic hours: B2.1, B2.2 and B2.3)

Students who have completed level B2 are able to communicate with native speakers freely, without visible effort on their part, using all grammatical structures and turns in their speech. In addition, they are able to understand the main themes of difficult or abstract texts.

This is the most fruitful stage in language learning, which allows the student not only to communicate with native speakers, but also to watch movies in the original, read books, the press and always understand main idea difficult conversations or texts.

Many students, having reached this level, decide not to continue their studies further in a language school or language courses and start just chatting with native speakers, traveling to Spanish-speaking countries, making Spanish-speaking friends, and practicing the language in more natural environment constantly improving your level.

Be able to express what other people have said.
. Expresiones causales, finales, concesivas.
. Express agreement or disagreement with something, give arguments for and against.
. Defend and justify your point of view.
. Express judgments and evaluations.
. Express the possibility and impossibility of something.
. Express surprise, joy, regret or disappointment.
. Express fear and anxiety.
. Express gratitude and be able to respond to it.
. Give assignments to other people.
. Attract attention.
. Wish something good, say goodbye.
. Be able to participate in formal meetings and events.
. Write proper formal letters.
. Correct what the other person has said.
. Draw conclusions from what others have said.
. Express disinterest and boredom.
. Support and soothe.
. Recommend something and make recommendations.

Repetition of the material covered.
. Indirect speech(Estilo indirecto pasado) (Part 1).
. negative form imperative mood(Imperativo negativo)
. The use of pronouns.
. Presente de subjuntivo.
. Difference between Subjuntivo and Indicative.
. Preterito imperfecto de subjuntivo.
. Preterito perfecto de subjuntivo.
. Preterito pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo.
. Conditional compuesto.
. Futuro, futuro perfecto y condicional para formular hipótesis.

Level C1 - the highest level of Spanish

To reach the C1 level, you need to work long and hard. This is the level of professional language proficiency: fluent, without tension and search necessary word or expressions. C1 is the level of a well-educated native speaker, when the speech you say is beautiful and pleasant for perception by a native speaker.

A student at C1 level is able to use the language in a variety of situations: from colloquial speech before business communication and correspondence, and besides, given level obliges to understand complex texts that require special preparation.

The student can also write structured, well-written, and detailed essays on a wide variety of topics.

Describe and evaluate people.
. Definition and description of objects.
. Express duties and prohibitions.
. Recommend and advise.
. React by explaining feelings and emotions
. Respond to other people's desires.
. Show skepticism.
. Express desires that are difficult to fulfill or impossible to fulfill.
. Formulate hypothetical situations in the present and past.
. Give counter arguments.
. Comparison of people and objects.
. Express agreement and disagreement.
. Express approval and disapproval.
. Engage in debate and argue your point of view.
. Make orders, inquiries, give advice (present and past tense).
. Send messages (in present and past tense).
. Have structured speech.
. Be able to use literature in Spanish.
. Narrate using all types of tenses.

Or in the courses, you will definitely come across the concept of “levels of English language” or “English proficiency levels”, as well as with such obscure designations as A1, B2, and more understandable Beginner, Intermediate and so on. From this article, you will learn what these formulations mean and what levels of knowledge of the language distinguish, as well as how to determine your level of english.

The levels of English are designed so that language learners can be divided into groups with approximately similar knowledge and skills in reading, writing, speaking and writing, as well as to simplify testing procedures, examinations, for various purposes related to emigration, study abroad and employment. This classification helps in recruiting students into a group and preparing teaching aids, methods, language teaching programs.

Of course, there is no clear boundary between the levels, this division is rather conditional, necessary not so much for students as for teachers. In total, there are 6 levels of language proficiency, there are two types of division:

• Levels A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2,
• Beginner, Elementary, Intermediate, Upper Intermediate, Advanced, Proficiency levels.

Basically it's just two different names for the same. These 6 levels are divided into three groups.

Table: English language proficiency levels

The classification was developed in the late eighties - early nineties of the last century, it is fully called the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (abbr. CERF).

English levels: detailed description

Beginner level (A1)

At this level you can:

• Understand and use familiar everyday expressions and simple phrases aimed at solving specific problems.
• Introduce yourself, introduce other people, ask simple questions of a personal nature, such as “Where do you live?”, “Where are you from?”, be able to answer such questions.
• Maintain a simple conversation if the other person speaks slowly, clearly, and helps you.

Many English learners in school have a language proficiency of about Beginner level. From the vocabulary only elementary mother, father, help me, my name is, London is the capital. You can understand well-known words and expressions by ear if they speak very clearly and without an accent, as in audio lessons for a textbook. You understand texts like the “Exit” sign, and in a conversation with the help of gestures, using individual words, you can express the simplest thoughts.

Elementary level (A2)

At this level you can:

• Understand common expressions common topics, such as: family, shopping, work, etc.
• Speak in simple everyday topics, to put it simple phrases.
• Tell simple expressions about yourself, describe simple situations.

If at school you had 4 or 5 in English, but after some time did not use English, then most likely you speak the language at the Elementary level. TV shows in English will not be understood, except perhaps single words, but the interlocutor, if he speaks clearly, in simple phrases of 2-3 words, you will generally understand. You can also incoherently and with long pauses for reflection tell the simplest information about yourself, say that the sky is blue and the weather is clear, express a simple wish, make an order at McDonald's.

Beginner - Elementary levels can be called "survival level", Survival English. It is enough to "survive" during a trip to a country where the main language is English.

Intermediate level (B1)

At this level you can:

• Understand the general meaning of distinct speech on general, familiar topics related to everyday life(work, study, etc.)
• deal with the most typical situations on a trip, travel (at the airport, in a hotel, etc.)
• Write simple connected text on topics that are common or familiar to you personally.
• Retell events, describe hopes, dreams, ambitions, be able to briefly talk about plans and explain your point of view.

Vocabulary and knowledge of grammar is enough to write simple essays about yourself, describe cases from life, write a letter to a friend. But in most cases oral speech lags behind writing, you confuse tenses, think over a phrase, pause to pick up a preposition (to or for?), but you can more or less communicate, especially if there is no shyness or fear of making a mistake.

It is much more difficult to understand the interlocutor, and if it is a native speaker, and even with fast speech and a bizarre accent, then it is almost impossible. However, simple, clear speech is understood well, provided that the words and expressions are familiar. You generally understand if the text is not very complex, and with some difficulty understand the general meaning without subtitles.

Level Upper Intermediate (B2)

At this level you can:

• Understand the general meaning of complex text on concrete and abstract topics, including technical (specialized) topics in your profile.
• Speak quickly enough so that communication with a native speaker occurs without long pauses.
• Write clear, detailed text different topics, explain a point of view, give arguments for and against various points view on the topic.

Upper Intermediate is already a good, solid, confident command of the language. If you are talking on a well-known topic with a person whose pronunciation you understand well, then the conversation will go quickly, easily, naturally. An outside observer will say that you are fluent in English. However, you can be confused by words and expressions related to topics that are poorly understood by you, all sorts of jokes, sarcasm, allusions, slang.

You are asked to answer 36 questions to test listening, writing, speaking and grammar.

It is noteworthy that to test listening comprehension, phrases like “London is the capital” recorded by the speaker are not used, but short excerpts from films (Puzzle English specializes in learning English from films and TV shows). In English-language films, the speech of the characters is close to how people speak in real life so the test may seem harsh.

Chandler from Friends doesn't have the best pronunciation.

To check the letter, you need to translate several phrases from English into Russian and from Russian into English. The program provides several translation options for each phrase. To test knowledge of grammar, a completely ordinary test is used, where you need to choose one option from several proposed ones.

But you are probably wondering how the program can test the skill of speaking? Of course, an online English proficiency test will not test your speech as a person, but the test developers came up with original solution. In the task, you need to listen to a phrase from the movie and choose a cue that is suitable for continuing the dialogue.

Talking is not enough, you also need to understand the interlocutor!

The ability to speak English consists of two skills: to understand the speech of the interlocutor by ear and to express one's thoughts. This task, albeit in a simplified form, tests how you cope with both tasks.

At the end of the test you will be shown full list questions with correct answers, you will find out where you made mistakes. And of course, you will see a chart showing your level on a scale from Beginner to Upper Intermediate.

2. Test to determine the level of English with a teacher

To get a professional, “live” (not automated, as in tests) assessment of the level of English, you need English teacher who will test you with assignments and an interview in English.

This consultation is free of charge. First, your city may have Language school, which offers free testing for knowledge of the language and even a trial lesson. Now this is a common practice.

In short, I signed up for a trial test lesson, got in touch on Skype at the appointed time, and the teacher Alexandra and I held a lesson, during which she “tortured” me in every possible way different tasks. All communication was in English.

My trial lesson on SkyEng. Checking grammar knowledge.

At the end of the lesson, the teacher explained to me in detail in which direction I should develop my English, what problems I have, and a little later she sent a letter with detailed description level of language skills (with marks on a 5-point scale) and methodological recommendations.

This method took some time: three days passed from the application to the lesson, and the lesson itself lasted about 40 minutes. But it is much more interesting than any online test.