Complete list with sequence of subjects (by level) to study English

Hello, reader!
Many students who want to start an English course or have already started one usually ask

themselves what they learn at each English level and what characterizes each of the levels

presented to them. This is important both when studying and when taking a test, be it a

placement test or a proficiency test. However, this grammatical content may not be very clear

during the classes, which usually have a more dynamic approach.

In order to clarify some doubts about the division into levels of the English language, we will

present the corresponding grammar content in an extensive manner. This way you can have a

more solid base or a clearer idea of where you stand on this.

To better understand how this division works, let's illustrate it with the CEF or CEFR, which is

the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, developed by the Council of the

European Union as a way to standardize language exam levels in different regions. It is widely

used internationally and all major exams are mapped to the CEFR, even those that do not

correspond to British or European English.

See below for a full description of each level, with its name appropriate to the standard of

English language courses and also to the CEFR, along with the grammatical content of its

correspondence.
 English Levels

Basic Level - Level A

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 himself/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.

Grammar Content:
- Adjectives: Common and Demonstrative

- Adverbs of Frequency

- Comparative and Superlative

- To be going to' - basic phrases

- Quantifiers: 'How much', 'how many' and 'very

- Most common uncountable nouns

- Requests: 'I'd like

- Imperatives: Positive and Negatives

- Intensifiers - Basic

- Basic modals: 'can', 'can't', 'could', 'couldn't

- Simple Past tense of the verb "to be

- Simple Past

- Possessive Adjectives

- Possessives

- Most Common Prepositions

- Prepositions of Place, including in/on/at

- Prepositions of Time, including in/on/at (simple)

- Present Continuous

- Present simple

- Personal Pronouns

- Questions

- There is/are

- Verb to be, including interrogative and negative sentences

- Verb + gerund 'ing': like/hate/love

A2 - Basic
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.

Grammatical Content:

- Adjectives - in the comparative form using 'than' and definite articles

- Adjectives - in the superlative form using definite articles

- Adverbial phrases of Time, Place and Frequency

- Adverbs of frequency

- Articles - with countable and uncountable nouns

- Countable and Uncountable: 'much' and 'many

- Future tense: 'will' and 'going to

- Gerunds

- Imperatives

- Modals - 'can' and 'could

- Modals - 'have to

- Modals - 'should

- Past Continuous

- Simple Past

- Most common phrasal verbs

- Possessives - use of 's, s

- Prepositional Phrases - place, time and movement

- Prepositions of Time: on/in/at

- Present Continuous

- Present Continuous to talk about the future

- Present perfect

- Interrogative Phrases

- Verb + Gerund -ing / Infinitive: 'like', 'want' - 'would like

- Wh-questions in the Past

- Zero Conditional

- First Conditional

- Intermediate Level - Level B

Intermediate Level - B Level

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 whilst travelling in an
area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which 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.

Grammar Content:

- Adverbs

- Wide range of Intensifiers - 'too', 'enough' and others

- Comparatives and Superlatives - complete

- Complex Tag Questions

- Second Conditional

- Third Conditional

- Connectives - expressions and words of cause and effect, contrast, etc.

- Future Continuous

- Modals - 'must', 'can't' deduction

- Modals - 'might', 'may', 'will', 'probably

- Modals - 'should have', 'might have', etc.

- Modals: 'must', 'have to

- Past Continuous

- Past Perfect

- Simple past

- Terms in the past tense

- Phrasal verbs, extended

- Present perfect continuous

- Present Perfect / Simple Past - differences

- Reported Speech (in a wide range of tenses)

- Simple Passive Voice

- Wh- Questions in the Past

- Predicates - 'will' and 'going to' (simple)

B2 - Post-Intermediate
Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including
technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. 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 current issue, offering advantages and disadvantages of various options.

Grammar Content:

- Adjectives and Adverbs

- Future Continuous

- Future perfect

- Future perfect continuous

- Mixed conditionals
- Modals - 'can't have', 'needn't have

- Modals of deduction and speculation

- Narrative tenses

- Passive voice

- Past perfect

- Past perfect continuous

- Phrasal verbs, extended

- Relative Clauses

- Reported Speech

- Predictions - 'will' and 'going to

- Wishes

- Would to express habits in the past tense

Advanced Level - Level C

C1 - Advanced
Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can
express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions.
Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can
produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of
organizational patterns, connectors, and cohesive devices.

Grammar Content:

- Forms of Future (review).

- Inversion with Negative Adverbials

- Mixed Conditionals - in past, present and future forms

- Modals in the Past

- Narrative Tenses - for experience, including passive voice

- All forms of Passive Voice

- Phrasal verbs, especially separation

- Regrets - 'Wish'/'if only

C2 - Proficient / Fluent
Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from
different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent
presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating
finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.

Grammar content: Mastery of all the content presented above in both written and spoken forms
of speech. As well as some slangs and expressions of the corresponding English.

Now that you know more about the type of assessment and division that corresponds to each
level of English, try to find your strengths and weaknesses in the content presented, so that you
can place yourself in one of the levels. Also, take the opportunity to reinforce the points
corresponding to your English level or some previous level that are not yet one hundred percent
clear, or to learn those that you have not had the opportunity to see or do not remember.

The important thing to understand is that this article is only the grammatical and mechanical
basis of the division of English language study, keeping in mind that there are other concepts that
are extremely important for those who seek fluency in the language, such as listening and
interpreting. In addition, understanding any language is also achieved through a rich and
expansive vocabulary, preferably covering several fields of knowledge.

Now it's your turn to study! Until next time.