You’ve probably asked yourself one of these questions at least once in your life.
What is my level in English?
Can I really put English – fluent on my CV?
Is my level in English good enough for this job/this interview?
It’s natural to want to get some kind of indicator of your level in English. We are curious, we want to know how we do, compared to others. But we also want to know if we have the level that is expected from us in some situations.
How to determine your English level?
There are a few ways to determine your English level.
Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
For a start, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) provides a very detailed of what you’re supposed to know and do for each level (from A1 to C2).
For example, if you can handle very short social exchanges but are rarely able to understand enough to keep the conversation going, you’re probably level A2.
But if you can enter unprepared into conversations on familiar topics, you’re at least level B1.
And if you can engage in an extended conversation on most general topics in a clearly participatory fashion, even in a noisy environment, that puts you on level B2.
Can you use English flexibly and effectively for social purposes, and even understand jokes? You might have reached the C1 level.
Once you can converse comfortably and appropriately, unhampered by any linguistic limitations in conducting a full social and personal life, you definitely have the C2 level.
This kind of assessment should be done in all areas of English – listening, speaking, reading, and writing – to give you a full picture of where you stand.
It’s usually accepted that from the B2 level, you are already fluent in English.
A formal assessment from a recognised international English exam
The CEFR is a great way to self-assess your level and show you exactly what competencies are required for each level.
If you want/need to have a formal certification, you can choose from the many English exams offered. The most popular English exams are the American TOEIC and TOEFL, and the several Cambridge English exams (IELTS, B2 First, etc.)
In some cases (relocation, university, hiring process in some big companies) you are told what test to prepare for. They all have their own system of points, but it’s usually very consistent with the CEFR levels.
So why is it important to determine your English level?
Be realistic with your English level
Some people are underconfident and would say they are beginners in English (they can speak but lack some confidence) when truly they are A2 or even B1.
On the other hand, you have over-confident people who feel they are fluent in English but they don’t realize they use the same words all the time, or make a lot of grammar mistakes.
So if you want a realistic picture of where you stand with your English, go back to the CEFR website and do a self-assessment.
You will be fully confident with the level you express when you write your English level on your CV or when someone asks you what your level is.
“To grow yourself, you must know yourself”
Knowing your level in English will also help you know where you stand and what areas you should focus on to take your English to the next level.
Your English teacher can help you if you are not sure of how to assess yourself.
Beware of focusing solely on a level
It’s just a number
Knowing your level in English is a great start and a great way to measure progress and bring awareness to your learning journey.
However, make sure you also give yourself room to reflect on how you feel about your English, how the learning process is working for you. You don’t want to lose touch with the skills you want to acquire.
In fact, learning for an exam is not necessarily the same as improving your level. If you are familiar with the kinds of exercises in a specific exam, you will increase your chances to get a good mark. But will your skills improve? Not sure.
Success is a journey, not a destination
Like any other journey, learning English is a series of ups and downs. Sometimes, you’ll feel great because you managed a conversation with a native-English speaker, sometimes, you’ll feel upset that you were not able to express your ideas the way you wanted.
Don’t feel discouraged, this is the way we all learn.
