Learner Levels‏‎

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There is no single method used to describe the learner level of an English‏‎ speaker, however this article will provide a rough idea of how to classify a student and how they are generally classified in TEFL‏‎.

Note that no single system is definitive and there are overlaps and variations with all the systems used. Schools in different countries may well have their own system but if you look at most books for students you will find that the level is classified using one of these system below.

For more general purposes, the following terms are often used:

• Beginner
• Pre-Intermediate
• Intermediate
• Upper-Intermediate
• Advanced

Comparison of Classifications

These comparisons are by no means accurate and are approximations.

Approximate Levels

Beginners

Beginners are starting out learning English.

False Beginners are students who have had perhaps some exposure to English and have a very limited grasp of the basics. They have either learned English many years before (perhaps at school) and are coming back to the classroom later in life, or perhaps they have had some contact with English speakers but no formal training.

False Beginners often learn faster than Total Beginners who may well know nothing at all of English. On the other hand, False Beginners may well have imperfect English embedded in their minds and this can take some work to correct.

However, remember that certain words are almost universal: internet, computer, pizza, taxi and so on will be understood by almost all nationalities so it is sometimes difficult to find a complete and utter beginner.

See also the full article, Beginners‏‎.

Intermediate

Students at intermediate level can talk and read about a wide number of subjects using appropriate vocabulary‏‎ and fairly correct, if basic, grammar‏‎. They can confidently use all the main tenses‏‎, and are beginning to use phrasal verbs‏‎, modal verbs‏‎, and suchlike. 

Tone and style are not refined yet but there is an awareness of pronunciation and what it entails.

An intermediate level students have generally enough knowledge of the language to branch out to more specific English courses, such as Business English‏‎ or English for Academic Purposes‏‎.

A Pre-Intermediate level gives scope for improvement in all areas (grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, etc.) as students have a good basic ability to communicate and understand. They can confidently use all the simple tenses and handle many everyday situations like shopping, booking a hotel room, asking for information, etc. Grammatically they have generally covered the parts of speech‏‎ and know how to use them.

At Upper-Intermediate level students have an effective, but not perfect, use of English. They can take part in extended conversations on a wide range of topics. If they don't know the appropriate term for something they are able to find a way of describing it. They have a knowledge of some idiomatic English and colloquial expressions. All main areas of English grammar have been covered at this level.

See also the full article, Intermediate.

Advanced

Advanced students can hold extended conversations and write extended texts. They are aware of differences between formal and informal English and whilst they may make occasional mistakes and their pronunciation is obviously not like a native speaker, they have little difficulty in communicating on everyday topics as well as specialized subjects.

See also the full article, Advanced.