Don’t know how to describe your English level in a resume or at an interview? Are you unsure whether you’re a beginner, low intermediate, or already an upper intermediate? These labels appear everywhere—from courses and tests to international company job listings.
In this article, we will figure out:
- What English levels exist according to international standards?
- How to understand exactly what your level is,
- What is the difference between low intermediate and upper intermediate?
- How to Improve Your Level.
English level assessment systems
-
European system — CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference)
The most widespread system worldwide. Includes 6 levels:
- A1 — Beginner / Elementary
- A2 — Pre-Intermediate
- B1 — Intermediate / Low Intermediate
- B2 — Upper Intermediate
- C1 — Advanced
- C2 — Proficiency
These labels are often indicated on resumes, English courses, international programs, and job offers.
-
International (Cambridge) scale
Less common but used in Cambridge, IELTS, and TOEFL exams. Levels look like this:
- Elementary
- Lower Intermediate (≈ A2–B1)
- Upper Intermediate (≈ B2)
- Lower Advanced
- Upper Advanced
💡 In everyday use, the terms low intermediate and upper intermediate are often used to specify progress within levels B1–B2.
What English levels exist: a complete overview
🟢 A1 — Beginner / Elementary
What a person can do:
- Understands and uses basic phrases;
- Can introduce themselves, say their name, age, and country;
- Reads short sentences up to 10 words;
- Understands simple instructions.
Vocabulary: 800–1200 words
Goal: Learn to “survive” in basic communication.
🟡 A2 — Pre-Intermediate
Basics of communication in typical situations:
- Talk about yourself, family, and plans;
- Communicate in stores, cafes, and gas stations;
- Write short messages or notes.
- Understand adapted texts of 300–500 words.
Vocabulary: 1500–2000 words
Grammar: Present Simple, Past Simple, modal verbs, conditionals 0 and 1.
🔵 B1 — Intermediate / Low Intermediate
This is the level where a person can:
- Maintain fluent conversations in common situations (work, travel, everyday life);
- Talk about events, plans, experiences, and dreams;
- Write personal letters and short essays without a dictionary.
- Read unadapted news and instructions.
Vocabulary: 2500–3000 words
Features:
- This is low intermediate — a confident user level.
- Critically crucial for work in international companies or studying abroad.
🔷 B2 — Upper Intermediate
The level at which you can “work in English”:
- Communicate fluently with native speakers;
- Understand films, interviews, and podcasts;
- Express opinions with arguments;
- Write essays, business letters, and reports.
- Negotiate.
Vocabulary: 3000–4500 words
Typical job description request: “Required level: Upper Intermediate (B2) or higher”
🔶 C1 — Advanced
Practically fluent:
- Understands dialects and slang;
- Skilled in written and spoken language;
- Can understand complex technical or analytical texts.
Vocabulary: 5000–6000 words
Often required for:
- Teaching English;
- Studying at universities in English-speaking countries.
🟣 C2 — Proficiency
Complete mastery of the language, like a native speaker:
- Perfect pronunciation;
- Understanding even conversational nuances;
- Fluent use of metaphors, irony, and complex sentence structures.
Requirements for C2 level:
- Knowledge of over 7000 words;
- Passing CAE, CPE (Cambridge) level exams.
How to find out your English level
🔹 Online tests
Try taking several reliable tests:
- EF SET — official CEFR level test;
- British Council test — grammar and reading;
- Cambridge Placement Test — precise exam with certificate;
- Exam English — various tests for all skills.
💡 Tip: Take not just one but several tests for a more objective result.
🔹 Self-assessment by language skills
Evaluate yourself on 6 parameters:
- Speaking — how fluently and grammatically correct do you speak?
- Listening — do you understand films without subtitles?
- Reading — do you read English news/books?
- Writing — how often do you make mistakes in writing?
- Vocabulary — how many words do you actively know?
- Grammar — how many tenses, conditionals, and constructions do you use?
How to improve your level: from low intermediate to upper intermediate
🟠 What to do if you’re at B1 (low intermediate)?
📚 Read more unadapted texts: news, blogs, light books.
🎧 Listen to podcasts for B1–B2 levels (e.g., “BBC Learning English”).
🗣 Practice speaking with a tutor or on platforms (Italki, Cambly).
📝 Keep a diary in English (even 5 sentences daily).
📘 Review grammar: conditionals, modals, passive voice.
🔵 How to move from upper intermediate to advanced?
🧠 Learn idioms and phrasal verbs.
📖 Read original books: Orwell, Hemingway, Atwood.
✍️ Write essays or articles, send them for review (e.g., Grammarly).
🎙 Watch TED Talks, join speaking clubs.
🎯 Focus on pronunciation — intonation, stress, accent.
FAQ
What is the difference between low intermediate and upper intermediate?
Low intermediate (B1) is confident communication in everyday situations. Upper intermediate (B2) is a fluent user level capable of academic, business, and abstract speech.
What level is needed for work?
Most jobs require at least upper intermediate (B2) proficiency, sometimes advanced (C1) proficiency, for international roles.
Can different skills have different levels?
Yes. For example: reading — B2, writing — B1, speaking — A2. This is normal.
What level do school graduates have?
On average, A2–B1, if there were no additional courses or practice.
Conclusion
Knowledge of English is not “yes/no,” but a spectrum of different levels. If you have reached a low intermediate level, you can already communicate and understand the language. But for academic, professional, or immigration purposes, it’s advisable to move toward upper intermediate or higher.
Test yourself, analyze, learn.
And remember: the best English level is the one that works for your goals.
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