English levels · Beginner
A1 English level: what it means
A1 is the first level on the A1 to C2 scale (CEFR), where every learner starts. At A1 you can understand and use familiar everyday words and very simple phrases: introduce yourself, ask and answer basic questions, and get simple things done when the other person speaks slowly and helps you.
20 questions, about 5 minutes, no sign-up.
What you can do at A1
- Introduce yourself and say where you're from and what you do
- Ask and answer simple questions about people, places and things you have
- Understand numbers, prices, times and dates
- Order food and drink and buy simple things in a shop
- Fill in a form with your name, address and nationality
- Understand very short messages, signs and notices
What A1 English looks like
Sentences you can say and understand
- Hi, I'm Ana. I'm from Brazil.
- I live in São Paulo with my sister.
- How much is this?
- Can I have a coffee, please?
Words you know
- family
- friend
- work
- breakfast
- today
- tomorrow
- cheap
- expensive
- left
- right
Grammar you use
- The verb to be (I am, you are, she is)
- Present simple for routines (I work, she lives)
- There is and there are
- Possessives (my, your, his, her)
- can and can't (I can swim)
A1 compared with English exams
Official exams report their scores on the same A1 to C2 scale. These are the score ranges the exam boards publish for A1.
| Exam | Score at A1 |
|---|---|
| IELTS | Not designed for this level |
| TOEFL iBT | Not designed for this level |
| Cambridge English | A1 Movers (young learners), 100 to 119 |
From A1 to A2
Cambridge English estimates around 180 to 200 hours of guided study in total to reach A2, so roughly 100 more from A1. The first goal is to stop translating word by word: learn the phrases you use every day as whole chunks, and you'll start answering faster.
- 1
Learn the most common words first, a few every day, and review them before you forget them
- 2
Learn whole phrases you'll actually use, like "Can I have…" and "Where is…"
- 3
Listen to slow, simple English every day, such as podcasts and videos made for learners
Questions about A1
A1 is the starting level. You can manage a few very simple situations, like introducing yourself or ordering a coffee, if people speak slowly. It isn't enough yet for work or for travelling without help.
Yes. The CEFR groups A1 and A2 as basic (beginner), B1 and B2 as independent (intermediate), and C1 and C2 as proficient (advanced). A1 is the very first step.
Cambridge English estimates around 90 to 100 hours of guided study from zero. Learning a little every day works better than long sessions once a week.
At A1 you use single words and memorised phrases about yourself. At A2 you can talk about your day, describe the past and handle routine tasks like shopping or asking for directions on your own.
Take our free English level test: 20 questions in about 5 minutes, with your estimated level from A1 to C2 straight away. If you're just starting out, it also shows you what A2 looks like.
Are you really A1?
Find out in 5 minutes with our free English level test.