English Levels
Wall Street English offers 20 English levels for students ranging from beginners to advanced, which are aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). We offer the assurance of learning alongside these standards which are internationally recognized.
The CEFR levels have identified three main types of learner – Basic, Independent, and Proficient – each of which is subdivided into two levels, creating a total of six – A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2. These levels provide a specific evaluation of the linguistic skills of writing, listening, reading, spoken production and spoken interaction.
CEFR Levels: all the information you need.
The Common European Framework Reference for Languages is a system of evaluating the skills obtained by someone studying a European language.
Let’s look in detail at the CEFR levels: next to each level we’ve indicated the IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge certificate with the relative scores that correspond to the specific CEFR level.
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CEFR A1
Wall Street English levels:
- 3 – 5 Waystage
Certificates:
- IELTS: 2 – 3
- TOEIC: 120 – 220
- Cambridge: KET
Test your knowledge and take our A1/A2 level test now!
Listening
You can understand words and basic concepts related to personal information regarding your family, your country of origin, and your home, when people speak slowly and clearly.
Reading
You can understand the meaning of simple words and common phrases found in notices, posters, and catalogs.
Spoken Interaction
You can interact with people who speak slowly and are willing to reformulate sentences if you don’t understand. You can use and understand familiar expressions to describe immediate and basic needs.
Writing
You can write a simple email or message. You can fill in simple forms related to personal data like name, nationality, hotel location and other basic information.
Spoken production
You can introduce yourself and others in a simple but clear way. You can describe details about where you live and your life using simple adjectives, verb tenses and grammatical forms.
Examples
Your friend phoned to tell you that he lives in London and has invited you to visit him in two weeks: you can understand and reply to his invitation, asking him to repeat and/or speak slowly if necessary.
You’re in an English speaking country and have to ask directions to the nearest supermarket: you can ask simple but clear questions and make yourself understood. At the supermarket, you can understand signs and prices.
You’re on holiday in Spain and send a postcard to your friend who lives in London: you can write a short message that describes where you’re staying and what you’re doing.
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CEFR A2
Wall Street English levels:
- 6 – 9 Upper Waystage
Certificates:
- IELTS: 3 – 4
- TOEFL IBT: 0 – 56
- TOEIC: – 225 – 545
Listening
You can understand words and phrases related to personal topics (e.g. basic information related to yourself and your family, where you live, shopping, work).
Reading
You can read very short, simple texts. You can find specific information found in everyday material like advertisements or train timetables. You understand short, simple letters.
Spoken Interaction
You can communicate during daily activities that require a fast and basic exchange of information. You can take part in social exchanges even if you’re not always able to carry on the conversation by yourself.
Writing
You can write simple personal letters, short messages, notes, and summaries, using basic grammatical structures.
Spoken Production
You can speak about yourself and your family and friends. You can talk about your studies and job using simple expressions and a limited vocabulary. You can formulate simple but clear grammatical constructions.
Examples
You’re in a clothes shop where the assistant describes the latest offers on sale: you can understand him/her, ask about the price or for advice regarding the clothes and a brief description of every item.
You’re in a restaurant: you can understand basic information about the dishes on the menu, asking the waiter for some brief clarifications about some food.
You’re about to take a tram abroad: you can understand the timetable and details about the route based on written indications or asking someone waiting at the stop.
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CEFR B1
Wall Street English levels:
- 10 – 13 Threshold
Certificates:
- IELTS: 4 – 5
- TOEFL IBT: 57 – 86
- TOEIC: 550 – 780
- Cambridge: PET
Listening
You can understand the main points of a speech about familiar topics. You understand the main points of a TV or radio program, the news, and topics related to everyday life.
Reading
You can understand texts about frequent daily activities and work. You can understand descriptions of events, feelings, and wishes in personal letters and messages.
Spoken Interaction
You can deal with most situations while traveling in an English speaking country. You can enter into conversations about topics and everyday life without preparation.
Writing
You can write a simple text about the most important current issues. You can write emails that clearly describe your personal and professional experiences.
Spoken Production
You can clearly and confidently describe personal and professional experiences. You can describe dreams, hopes, and ambitions in a simple way, giving short explanations about your plans.
Examples
You’re in a hotel and you meet a group of people who speak about their holidays and you take part in the conversation without difficulties, speaking about your experiences during your stay: you can understand the sense of what people say and intervene actively.
You’re watching a football program: you can understand how the game went based only on the summary provided by the commentator and listening to the interviews given by the players.
You would like to go to a U2 concert with an English speaking friend: you can write a short message to your friend explaining some updates about the tour and you explain that it would be best to see them in Dublin.
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CEFR B2
Wall Street English levels:
- 14 – 17 Milestone
Certificates:
- IELTS: 5 – 6
- TOEFL IBT: 87 – 109
- TOEIC: 785 – 940
- Cambridge: FCE
Listening
You can understand complex conversations in personal and professional situations. You understand technical speeches. You can understand most TV and radio programs especially if they are about current issues.
Reading
You can understand the meaning of newspaper articles about current affairs in which the writers use a specific language, expressing their viewpoints. You can understand complex terms related to technical arguments.
Spoken Interaction
You can interact quite spontaneously and fluently with native speakers. You can take part in complex conversations, expressing your opinions and needs with confidence. You can describe a wide variety of events.
Writing
You can write clear, complex texts about a wide range of subjects, justifying the pros and cons of plans and giving different opinions. You can write texts that clearly describe specific events.
Spoken Production
You can provide clear and detailed descriptions on a wide range of topics related to your interests. You can express your point of view, giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options, with ease and confidence.
Examples
You’re an IT engineer and you understand most videos which explain the specifications and functions of new technological solutions: you understand the technical guide videos and manuals about your sector.
You meet your business partner in London and talk about your future collaboration in a clear and detailed way: you can present written reports and documents about your work.
You are invited to a business meeting abroad where you meet managers and directors: you can introduce yourself confidently in conversations and interact well with those present, knowing how to construct complex professional phrases.
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CEFR C1
Wall Street English levels:
- 18 – 20 Mastery
Certificates:
- IELTS: 6 – 7
- TOEFL IBT: 110 – 120
- TOEIC: 945 – 990
- Cambridge: CAE
Listening
You can understand extended speeches even about topics that you don’t know well. You can understand TV programs and films without much effort.
Reading
You can understand long and complex texts related to specific events and topics. You can read books and manuals without difficulty. You can understand, distinguish and appreciate different writing styles. You don’t have difficulty understanding technical concepts.
Spoken Interaction
You can converse spontaneously and fluently without difficulty. You use the language flexibly and effectively for personal and professional purposes. You formulate ideas and opinions clearly and get your point across skillfully.
Writing
You can write well-structured texts, expressing your viewpoints in detail. In letters you use complex themes, highlighting important aspects. You can modify your writing style according to the reader.
Spoken Production
You can express complex themes and arguments from various angles. Your argumentation is clear, detailed, and provides important information that leads to concise, specific conclusions.
Examples
Your friend talks about kite-surfing, explaining in detail the equipment used as well as the techniques to adopt: even if you have never practiced this sport you can understand most of the speech.
In preparation for a meeting you write a detailed speech about artificial intelligence providing specific information and using scientific language: you can give precise answers to questions from the audience.
You’ve had a car accident and have to reach an agreement with the other driver: you express yourself without difficulty using specific language related to legal responsibility as well as talk about what happened.
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CEFR C2
Certificates:
- IELTS: 7 – 8
- TOEFL IBT: 94 – 109
- TOEIC: 901+
- Cambridge: CPE
Listening
You can understand any type of speech without difficulty. Whether the speech is live or on TV, you can understand all the words and phrases, even if they are spoken quickly. You can identify the accent of the speaker.
Reading
You can understand all forms of writing including manuals, news, complex instructions, and literary works. You can understand complicated articles about topics that you are not familiar with.
Spoken Interaction
You can take part in any kind of discussion with mother tongue speakers fluently, using idiomatic expressions. You can express yourself naturally and use different shades of meaning in your speech.
Writing
You can write clear, flowing texts using an appropriate style. You can prepare detailed reports containing in-depth information. The structure of your texts is easy to follow and enables the reader to identify the most important points.
Spoken Production
You can express yourself clearly and fluently and can do presentations and make speeches. You can adopt a style that is appropriate to the situation and the structure of your dialogue is logical and easy to follow.
Examples
You watch a TV program about English medieval literature which mentions texts related to the historical period: even if you don’t understand some specific words, you can understand the general meaning.
You’re at a conference in London: you communicate with your American and British colleagues without any difficulty, even making some jokes that contain idiomatic expressions.
You create an advertising text about the latest product released by your company: the text includes idiomatic expressions as well as colloquial phrases aimed at increasing sales.
Do you want to know your level? Visit your nearest Wall Street English center and do a professional test with one of our Personal Tutors, so we can create a study program to fit your needs.
