When you’re learning English on your own, it’s normal to feel a bit lost. You’re studying and practicing, but sometimes it’s hard to know how good you are. Questions might pop up like, “Can I talk about everyday things? Can I understand simple conversations?”

Knowing your level helps you understand what you’re good at and what you need to work on. It’s like having a map to guide you on your journey of learning English. And if you’re learning English for work, people might ask, “How well do you speak English?” So, it’s useful to have an idea of your level. Levels aren’t just about being a beginner, intermediate, or advanced. They’re about what you can do with English. Can you have a basic conversation? Can you understand simple texts? 

To help with this, there’s something called the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It splits learners into six levels. Let’s take a look at them:

A1 (Beginner): You can understand and use simple everyday phrases and expressions.

A2 (Elementary): You can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance.

B1 (Intermediate): You can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.

B2 (Upper-Intermediate): You can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics.

C1 (Advanced): You can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and express yourself fluently and spontaneously.

C2 (Proficient): You have a near-native command of the language, understanding almost everything heard or read.

Knowing your level helps you set goals and see how far you’ve come in your English journey. It’s a way to measure your progress and feel more confident in using English in different situations.