Our English Levels
Wall Street English offers 20 English levels for students ranging from beginners to advanced, which are aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). We offer the assurance of learning alongside these standards which are internationally recognized. The CEFR levels have identified three main types of learner – Basic, Independent, and Proficient – each of which is subdivided into two levels, creating a total of five – A1, A2, B1, B2, C1. These levels provide a specific evaluation of the linguistic skills of writing, listening, reading, spoken production and spoken interaction.
CEFR A1
Wall Street English levels: 3 – 5 Waystage | IELTS: 2 – 3 | TOEIC: 120 – 220 | Cambridge: KET
Listening
You can understand words and basic concepts related to personal information regarding your family, your country of origin, and your home, when people speak slowly and clearly.
Reading
You can understand the meaning of simple words and common phrases found in notices, posters, and catalogs.
Spoken Interaction
You can interact with people who speak slowly and are willing to reformulate sentences if you don’t understand. You can use and understand familiar expressions to describe immediate and basic needs.
Writing
You can write a simple email or message. You can fill in simple forms related to personal data like name, nationality, hotel location and other basic information.
Spoken Production
You can introduce yourself and others in a simple but clear way. You can describe details about where you live and your life using simple adjectives, verb tenses and grammatical forms.
Examples
Your friend phoned to tell you that he lives in London and has invited you to visit him in two weeks: you can understand and reply to his invitation, asking him to repeat and/or speak slowly if necessary.
You’re in an English-speaking country and have to ask directions to the nearest supermarket: you can ask simple but clear questions and make yourself understood. At the supermarket, you can understand signs and prices.
You’re on holiday in Spain and send a postcard to your friend who lives in London: you can write a short message that describes where you’re staying and what you’re doing.
CEFR A2
Wall Street English levels: 6 – 9 Upper Waystage | IELTS: 3 – 4 | TOEFL IBT: 0 – 56 | TOEIC: – 225 – 545
Listening
You can understand words and phrases related to personal topics (e.g. basic information related to yourself and your family, where you live, shopping, work).
Reading
You can read very short, simple texts. You can find specific information found in everyday material like advertisements or train timetables. You understand short, simple letters.
Spoken Interaction
You can communicate during daily activities that require a fast and basic exchange of information. You can take part in social exchanges even if you’re not always able to carry on the conversation by yourself.
Writing
You can write simple personal letters, short messages, notes, and summaries, using basic grammatical structures.
Spoken Production
You can speak about yourself and your family and friends. You can talk about your studies and job using simple expressions and a limited vocabulary. You can formulate simple but clear grammatical constructions.
Examples
You’re in a clothes shop where the assistant describes the latest offers on sale: you can understand him/her, ask about the price or for advice regarding the clothes and a brief description of every item.
You’re in a restaurant: you can understand basic information about the dishes on the menu, asking the waiter for some brief clarifications about some food.
You’re about to take a tram abroad: you can understand the timetable and details about the route based on written indications or asking someone waiting at the stop.
CEFR B1
Wall Street English levels: 10 – 13 Threshold | IELTS: 4 – 5 | TOEFL IBT: 57 – 86 | TOEIC: 550 – 780 | Cambridge: PET
Listening
You can understand the main points of a speech about familiar topics. You understand the main points of a TV or radio program, the news, and topics related to everyday life.
Reading
You can understand texts about frequent daily activities and work. You can understand descriptions of events, feelings, and wishes in personal letters and messages.
Spoken Interaction
You can interact with people who speak slowly and are willing to reformulate sentences if you don’t understand. You can use and understand familiar expressions to describe immediate and basic needs.
Writing
You can deal with most situations while traveling in an English-speaking country. You can enter into conversations about topics and everyday life without preparation.
Spoken Production
You can clearly and confidently describe personal and professional experiences. You can describe dreams, hopes, and ambitions in a simple way, giving short explanations about your plans.
Examples
Examples
You’re in a hotel and you meet a group of people who speak about their holidays and you take part in the conversation without difficulties, speaking about your experiences during your stay: you can understand the sense of what people say and intervene actively.
You’re watching a football program: you can understand how the game went based only on the summary provided by the commentator and listening to the interviews given by the players.
You would like to go to a U2 concert with an English speaking friend: you can write a short message to your friend explaining some updates about the tour and you explain that it would be best to see them in Dublin.
CEFR B2
Wall Street English levels: 14 – 17 Milestone | IELTS: 5 – 6 | TOEFL IBT: 87 – 109 | TOEIC: 785 – 940 | Cambridge: FCE
Listening
You can understand complex conversations in personal and professional situations. You understand technical speeches. You can understand most TV and radio programs especially if they are about current issues.
Reading
You can understand the meaning of newspaper articles about current affairs in which the writers use a specific register, expressing their viewpoints. You can understand complex terms related to technical arguments.
Spoken Interaction
You can interact quite spontaneously and fluently with native speakers. You can take part in complex conversations, expressing your opinions and needs with confidence. You can describe a wide variety of events.
Writing
You can write clear, complex texts about a wide range of subjects, justifying the pros and cons of plans and giving different opinions. You can write texts that clearly describe specific events.
Spoken Production
You can provide clear and detailed descriptions on a wide range of topics related to your interests. You can express your point of view, giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options, with ease and confidence.
Examples
You’re an IT engineer and you understand most videos which explain the specifications and functions of new technological solutions: you understand the technical guide videos and manuals about your sector.
You meet your business partner in London and talk about your future collaboration in a clear and detailed way: you can present written reports and documents about your work.
You are invited to a business meeting abroad where you meet managers and directors: you can introduce yourself confidently in conversations and interact well with those present, knowing how to construct complex professional phrases.
CEFR C1
Wall Street English levels: 18 – 20 Mastery | IELTS: 6 – 7 | TOEFL IBT: 110 – 120 | TOEIC: 945 – 990 | Cambridge: CAE
Listening
You can understand extended speeches even about topics that you don’t know well. You can understand TV programs and films without much effort.
Reading
You can understand long and complex texts related to specific events and topics. You can read books and manuals without difficulty. You can understand, distinguish and appreciate different writing styles. You don’t have difficulty understanding technical concepts.
Spoken Interaction
You can converse spontaneously and fluently without difficulty. You use the language flexibly and effectively for personal and professional purposes. You formulate ideas and opinions clearly and get your point across skillfully.
Writing
You can write well-structured texts, expressing your viewpoints in detail. In letters you use complex themes, highlighting important aspects. You can modify your writing style according to the reader.
Spoken Production
You can express complex themes and arguments from various angles. Your argumentation is clear, detailed, and provides important information that leads to concise, specific conclusions.
Examples
Your friend talks about kite-surfing, explaining in detail the equipment used as well as the techniques to adopt: even if you have never practiced this sport you can understand most of the speech.
In preparation for a meeting you write a detailed speech about artificial intelligence providing specific information and using scientific language: you can give precise answers to questions from the audience.
You’ve had a car accident and have to reach an agreement with the other driver: you express yourself without difficulty using specific language related to legal responsibility as well as talk about what happened.