English level A1 is the first level of English in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), a definition of different language levels written by the Council of Europe. In everyday speech, this level would be called “beginner”, and indeed, that is the official level descriptor in the CEFR, also used by EF SET. In practice it is possible to be at a pre-A1 level of English. A student who is just beginning to learn English, or who has no prior knowledge of English, is at a pre-A1 level.
The best way to tell if you are at an A1 level in English is to take a high-quality standardized test. See below for a list of major recognized tests and their corresponding A1 scores:
Name of test |
Score equivalent to A1 |
EF SET |
1-30 |
IELTS |
Cannot assess A1 |
TOEIC Listening |
60-105 |
TOEIC Reading |
60-110 |
TOEFL |
Cannot assess A1 |
An A1 level of English would be sufficient for very simple interactions, for example as a tourist in an English-speaking country. An A1 level would not be sufficient for other academic or professional purposes.
According to the official CEFR guidelines, someone at the A1 level in English:
The official can-do statements are broken down into smaller chunks for teaching purposes. This more detailed skill breakdown can help you assess your own English level, or help a teacher assess a student’s level. For example, a student at the A1 level in English will be able to:
Although progress will depend on the type of course and the individual student, students can expect to reach the A1 level in English with 60 to 80 hours of instruction.
The priority at this level, when building up to A2 English level, is expanding vocabulary and building up to more complex types of sentences.