ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEVELS
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There are a number of different language scales in use which can identify and assess a student's ability to use English accurately and fluently.
Most exams and qualification will reflect the level a student has achieved within a language range known as "The Common European Framework of Reference" or CEFR. This CEFR range helps to identify and describe what language learners can do at different stages of their learning and is often used to indicate the level of an exam that international students can sit.
You can see some of these exams and their CEFR level in the table. |
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LEVELS AND STUDENT ABILITY ON ENTRY
When students first join ELH we conduct a short level test to identify their English language ability of entry.
We use the CEFR range to assess a student's language ability and we conduct a needs analysis to ensure we can identify what they need to improve most. This helps to identify the most appropriate learning plan for each student. We can then recommend lessons that are suitable for each student and the students can choose what lessons they would like to join. Students may join lessons suitable for:
- a starter level learner
- a lower level learner
- a higher level learner
- a proficient level learner
How we use the CEFR range:
Pre A1 Beginner
This student will join lessons as a "starter level learner". The student has no English or very little English.
A1 Elementary
This student will join lessons as a "lower level learner". The student has a little English. S/he may have studied English before but cannot use the language and communicate easily at a basic level
A1+ Upper Elementary
This student will join lessons as a "lower level learner". The student has a basic level of English but is still not very comfortable when communicating with English people.
B1 Lower Intermediate
This student may join lessons as a "lower level learner" or a "higher level learner". The student has a good basic level of English and begins to feel more comfortable when communicating with English people. Some students entering a lower intermediate level class may prepare for the Cambridge English "Key" or "KET” exam.
B1+ Intermediate
This student may join lessons as a "higher level learner". The student has a very good basic level of English and is beginning to communicate comfortably on a variety of topics. S/he feels comfortable communicating with most English people. Some students entering an intermediate level class may prepare for the Cambridge English “Preliminary" or "PET” exam.
B2 Upper Intermediate
This student will join lessons as a "higher level learner". The student has a very good basic level of English and can communicate comfortably on a variety of topics. This student is able to talk to native English speakers easily but may make some mistakes when using more complicated vocabulary and grammar. Some students entering an upper intermediate level class may prepare for the Cambridge English “First Certificate in English” examination.
C1 Advanced
This student may join lessons as a "higher level learner " or a "proficient level learner" depending on their needs. The student can communicate well in a variety of situations. S/he does not make mistakes at basic level and has a good range of grammar and vocabulary at a higher level. S/he can communicate comfortably and easily with native English speakers on a variety of topics and can cope with variations in the pronunciation of English. Some students joining lessons as "proficient level learners" may already have passed the Cambridge English “First Certificate” exam and be preparing for the “Certificate in Advanced English”
C2 Proficiency
This student will join lessons as a "proficient level learner". The student has very good English and can communicate well on a variety of topics using a wide range of vocabulary and grammar accurately and fluently. S/he may need to perfect their English further for work, study or personal use. S/he may need to expand their vocabulary further using authentic material. S/he may need to analyse more complex areas of English grammar and improve their overall command of the language. Some students may already have passed the Cambridge English “Certificate in Advanced English” "CAE" and be preparing for the “Certificate of Proficiency in English” or "CPE.
C2+ Post Proficiency
A post proficiency level learner may have already passed the Cambridge English “Certificate of Proficiency in English” exam but may need to "brush up" or perfect the English they know in order to progress at work or further study. This student has English that is very close to native English speaker level and may need to iron out certain inaccuracies and/or perfect certain skills. S/he would be able to enter the CELTA teacher training course and train to teach English to international students.
This student will join lessons as a "starter level learner". The student has no English or very little English.
A1 Elementary
This student will join lessons as a "lower level learner". The student has a little English. S/he may have studied English before but cannot use the language and communicate easily at a basic level
A1+ Upper Elementary
This student will join lessons as a "lower level learner". The student has a basic level of English but is still not very comfortable when communicating with English people.
B1 Lower Intermediate
This student may join lessons as a "lower level learner" or a "higher level learner". The student has a good basic level of English and begins to feel more comfortable when communicating with English people. Some students entering a lower intermediate level class may prepare for the Cambridge English "Key" or "KET” exam.
B1+ Intermediate
This student may join lessons as a "higher level learner". The student has a very good basic level of English and is beginning to communicate comfortably on a variety of topics. S/he feels comfortable communicating with most English people. Some students entering an intermediate level class may prepare for the Cambridge English “Preliminary" or "PET” exam.
B2 Upper Intermediate
This student will join lessons as a "higher level learner". The student has a very good basic level of English and can communicate comfortably on a variety of topics. This student is able to talk to native English speakers easily but may make some mistakes when using more complicated vocabulary and grammar. Some students entering an upper intermediate level class may prepare for the Cambridge English “First Certificate in English” examination.
C1 Advanced
This student may join lessons as a "higher level learner " or a "proficient level learner" depending on their needs. The student can communicate well in a variety of situations. S/he does not make mistakes at basic level and has a good range of grammar and vocabulary at a higher level. S/he can communicate comfortably and easily with native English speakers on a variety of topics and can cope with variations in the pronunciation of English. Some students joining lessons as "proficient level learners" may already have passed the Cambridge English “First Certificate” exam and be preparing for the “Certificate in Advanced English”
C2 Proficiency
This student will join lessons as a "proficient level learner". The student has very good English and can communicate well on a variety of topics using a wide range of vocabulary and grammar accurately and fluently. S/he may need to perfect their English further for work, study or personal use. S/he may need to expand their vocabulary further using authentic material. S/he may need to analyse more complex areas of English grammar and improve their overall command of the language. Some students may already have passed the Cambridge English “Certificate in Advanced English” "CAE" and be preparing for the “Certificate of Proficiency in English” or "CPE.
C2+ Post Proficiency
A post proficiency level learner may have already passed the Cambridge English “Certificate of Proficiency in English” exam but may need to "brush up" or perfect the English they know in order to progress at work or further study. This student has English that is very close to native English speaker level and may need to iron out certain inaccuracies and/or perfect certain skills. S/he would be able to enter the CELTA teacher training course and train to teach English to international students.
