A1. English proficiency level measures how well you can use English. It tests your speaking, writing, reading and listening skills.
English is so much more than a language. It is a way for people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds to connect with each other. Learning English can help you explore new academic, professional, and personal growth opportunities. There is a reason why it is the most popular and most widely spoken language in the world. So many countries, international organisations, and global businesses have adopted it as their official language of communication. If you want to pursue an international career, learning English will be a necessity for you. But before you enrol in a course or buy a book, you need to ask yourself: How well do I already know English? Understanding your English language proficiency level will help you decide where to start. Otherwise, you might feel overwhelmed by all the choices and resources available.
Today, we will introduce you to different English proficiency levels, help you identify your current level, and show you how to test your skills. We will break it down into simple steps to help you choose the right course and set achievable goals to enhance your learning journey.
Explore different English language proficiency levels
English proficiency levels are important milestones in your language learning journey. They will help you and your teachers test your English skills. Knowing your level will help identify how well you can speak, read, write, and listen in English. These levels are grouped into five or six categories, as defined by CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). Knowing your level will help you better understand where you stand and what skills you need to work on. Let’s take a detailed look at each level with an example so that you can understand what you can do at each stage.
|
Level |
Description |
Example |
|
A1: Beginner |
You introduce yourself and use basic words and phrases. |
Where is the bus? My name is Jenna. |
|
A2: Pre-intermediate |
You can understand simple sentences, have daily conversations and express your needs. |
You can order food at a café or introduce yourself to new people. |
|
B1: Intermediate |
You can hold everyday conversations and read/write simpler texts. |
You can talk about your hobbies or understand a news headline. |
|
B2: Upper-intermediate |
You express yourself fluently, discuss complex topics and understand the main ideas of texts. |
You can participate in a debate or read an article on technology. |
|
C1: Advanced |
You express yourself fluently and understand a wide range of complex texts. |
You can write essays or give professional presentations. |
|
C2: Proficient |
You understand everything you hear, read with ease and use English like a native speaker. |
You can read novels, write research papers, or lead workshops in English. |
Steps to find your English proficiency level
Contrary to popular belief, finding your English language proficiency is not that difficult. Follow these simple five steps to test your English skills:
1. Ask yourself honest questions
Before you can test yourself, think about your daily interactions with English. Your answers to these questions will offer you clues about your current proficiency level.
- Can you introduce yourself in English?
- Do you understand English songs, news, movies, or TV shows?
- Can you write a simple email?
2. Take an online English proficiency test
You can take English Path's free online test to find your current English proficiency level. Our test will give you an idea of your English level.
3. Assess your speaking and writing skills
After taking the test, if you still feel like you need more clarity, you can do a couple of self-assessments to test your speaking and writing skills. After trying these exercises, compare your results to the examples we have listed in the table. They are:
- Speaking: Record yourself talking. You can talk about your day, an activity you enjoy, or a topic you are passionate about.
- Writing: Write a short paragraph. Try to describe a specific situation. You can talk about a recent trip, a day out with friends, or even your experience in a particular class.
4. Test your English skills in real-life scenarios
Think of situations where you will have to use English to communicate. It will give you an idea of how proficient you are at the moment.
- Try to order food or coffee at a local cafe or a restaurant.
- Strike up a conversation with the salesperson next time you go shopping.
- Try to read signs at an airport, bus stand, or train station.
If these activities feel easy to you, then you are at A2 or B1. If you can handle reading complex texts, attend professional meetings or write detailed essays, you are probably closer to C1 or C2.
5. Retest as you improve
Even after enrolling in a course, keep testing yourself. When you start learning a language, your skills will grow over time. Try to retake tests every 3–6 months to see how far you have come. If you join English Path, our teachers can help you improve your skills and test your English skills from time to time. This approach will help you see how much progress you have made in a certain time period and identify the areas where you need to focus more.
Choosing the right English course for your level
Once you know your English language proficiency level, it’s time to find a course that matches it. You can check out our wide range of courses for every level, from beginner to advanced. We believe in hands-on learning with practical exercises so that you can speak English in the real world. Wherever you are in your English language journey, we can help you achieve your goals.
FAQs about how to find your current English language proficiency level
Q1. What is the English language proficiency level?
Q2. How can I know my English language proficiency level?
A2. You can take English Path’s online English proficiency test to get an idea of your current level. You can also test yourself by using English in real-life situations.
Q3. How are proficiency levels in English described?
A3. English proficiency levels are based on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) levels. They are:
- A1: Beginner
- A2: Pre-intermediate
- B1: Intermediate
- B2: Upper-intermediate
- C1: Advanced
- C2: Proficient
Q4. Why is it important to know my English language proficiency level?
A4. Knowing your level will help you choose the right path to improve your English language skills. It will also help you find the right course and set realistic goals.
Q5. What does a good English proficiency test include?
A5. A good English proficiency test will assess you on your grammatical knowledge, vocabulary, reading, listening, and sometimes speaking or writing skills.