English levels
English levels (CEFR)
English has 6 levels, from A1 (beginner) to C2 (almost like a native speaker). These levels are called the CEFR scale. Words have levels too, so you can learn the easy, common words first.
What is CEFR?
CEFR stands for the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. It is a scale that shows how well you can use a language. It started in Europe, but now schools, companies and English tests all over the world use it, including in Thailand.
The 6 levels
The 6 levels are in 3 groups. Each group has a lower level and a higher level.
| Group | Level | Name | You can… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic user | A1 | Beginner | introduce yourself and use very simple phrases. |
| Basic user | A2 | Elementary | talk about your daily life, family, shopping and work. |
| Independent user | B1 | Intermediate | handle most travel situations and explain your opinions simply. |
| Independent user | B2 | Upper intermediate | talk with native speakers without too much effort. |
| Proficient user | C1 | Advanced | use English well at work and university, in speaking and writing. |
| Proficient user | C2 | Mastery | understand almost everything and express small differences in meaning. |
Most jobs ask for B2
For many jobs that use English, B2 is the goal. At B2 you can join meetings, write emails and read technical documents. You don't need C2 to work in English.
Words have levels too
Dictionaries give each word a level. Common, everyday words are at the low levels. Formal and special words are at the high levels.
| Word | Level (about) | Why |
|---|---|---|
| key | A1 | Everyday word: door key, car key |
| cancel | A2 | Common in daily life: cancel a meeting |
| disable | B2 | Used more in tech and at work |
| revoke | C2 | Formal word, used mostly in law, government and tech |
So the phrase "revoke key" is a high-level phrase because of revoke. See more examples like this on the same meaning, different level page.
Dictionaries can be different
Different dictionaries sometimes give a word a different level. For example, one may say B1 and another may say B2. Use the level as a guide, not a strict rule.
How to check a word's level
- Cambridge Dictionary (dictionary.cambridge.org) shows the level next to many words, like A2 or B1.
- Oxford Learner's Dictionaries (oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com) mark the most important words. The Oxford 3000 are words from A1 to B2. The Oxford 5000 add more words at B2 and C1.
- You can also ask an AI tool. Ask the question like this:
On the CEFR scale, what level is the word revoke?
In a question, the verb comes before the subject: "What level is it?" not "What level it is?"
Levels and English tests
Many English tests show your result as a CEFR level. Here is the IELTS score for each level (about):
| CEFR level | IELTS score (about) |
|---|---|
| B1 | 4.0 – 5.0 |
| B2 | 5.5 – 6.5 |
| C1 | 7.0 – 8.0 |
| C2 | 8.5 – 9.0 |
Words for talking about your level
Level
How good or how high something is, on a scale.
My English level is B1, but I want to reach B2 this year.
Beginner
A person who is just starting to learn something.
I'm a beginner in Rust, but I know Python well.
Intermediate
In the middle level: not a beginner, but not advanced.
This course is for intermediate learners at B1 and B2.
Advanced
At a high level, for people who already know a lot.
C1 and C2 are the advanced levels.
Fluent
Able to speak a language easily and quickly, without stopping a lot.
I want to be fluent in English so I can work with teams around the world.
Native speaker
A person who learned a language as a child, as their first language.
I'm a native speaker of Thai, and I'm learning English.
Fluent is not the same as C2
Many Thai learners think fluent means perfect. It doesn't. Many people at B2 are fluent: they speak easily, even with some small mistakes. Don't wait for "perfect English" before you start speaking.