Our summer education programmes are tailored to students of all English levels with a separate syllabus for every level of English from Elementary to Advanced.
Different summer academic programmes may have different requirements for English levels. All students are given an English level assessment before the summer or on arrival to ensure they are placed in the right class to really learn as much as possible.
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is the European standard for grading an individual’s language proficiency. It divides learners into three broad divisions that can be divided into six levels; for each level, it describes what a learner is supposed to be able to do in reading, listening, speaking and writing.
Cambridge English (also known as ESOL) is developed by University of Cambridge. Their five level of English exams – Proficiency (CPE), Advanced (CAE), First (FCE), Preliminary (PET) and Key (KET) each focuses on a CEFR level, and can be aligned with the CEFR levels in general. From 2015, the exam results of Cambridge English are reported on the Cambridge English Scale, which allows easy alignment of Cambridge English to the CEFR, and to IELTS scores.
The following picture illustrates English levels of CEFR, Cambridge English and IELTS, as well as their alignments.
CEFR Levels
A1 – Beginner
- Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type.
- Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has.
- Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
A2 – Elementary
- Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment).
- Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.
- Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
B1 – Intermediate
- Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
- Can deal with most situations likely to arise while travelling in an area where the language is spoken.
- Can produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest.
- Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
B2 – Upper Intermediate
- Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialization.
- Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party.
- Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
C1 – Advanced
- Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning.
- Can express ideas fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions.
- Can use language flexibly.
If you are unsure of your English level, and would like to have an approximate assessment, you may take a free Online English Level Test provided by British Council to give you an approximate indication of your English level. You can also search for suitable content by level afterwards to further improve your English.
