A1 English level (elementary)

English level A1 describes basic users of the language. Learners at this level can communicate in everyday situations with common expressions and elementary vocabulary. The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is the system that defines and explains the different levels of oral and written expression and comprehension for languages, including English. There are six levels of reference, divided into three blocks: basic user for levels A1 and A2, independent user for B1 and B2 and proficient user for C1 and C2.

Skills at A1 English level (elementary)

What can an A1-level learner of English do?

  • They can understand and use very common everyday expressions and simple phrases for immediate needs.
  • They can introduce themselves and other people and can ask and answer questions about personal details, such as where they live, things they have and people they know.
  • They can communicate in a simple way if the other person talks slowly and clearly.

Online courses at this level

Our online self-study, live classes and one-to-one courses with personal tutors are designed by some of the world's English teaching experts. They offer a safe and inclusive learning environment to help you improve your English and achieve your ambitions.

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Choose content at this level

A message to say you're late

Learn how to write text messages to tell a friend you're going to be late.

A noticeboard message

Learn how to write a noticeboard message.

A poster at work

Read an invitation to an office event to practise and improve your reading skills.

A poster for exam candidates

Read the poster outside an exam room to practise and improve your reading skills.

A request from your boss

Listen to some requests from a manager to practise and improve your listening skills.

A restaurant menu

Read a menu to practise and improve your reading skills. 

A study timetable

Read a study timetable for a week in summer school in England to practise and improve your reading skills.

A text message invitation

Learn how to write a text message invitation to a friend.

A thank-you email

Learn how to write a thank-you email.

A voicemail message

Listen to a voicemail message and answer the questions to practise your listening skills.

Vocabulary Games – Actions

Actions

Do the exercises and learn the words for some common actions.

Adjectives and prepositions

Do you know how to use adjectives with prepositions like interested in or similar to?

Adjectives ending in '-ed' and '-ing'

Do you know the difference between bored and boring?

An airport departures board

Read an airport departures board to practise and improve your reading skills. 

An application form

Learn how to fill in an application form.

An email to book a hotel

Learn how to write an email to book a hotel.

An email to confirm an appointment

Learn how to write an email to confirm an appointment.

An email to congratulate a colleague

Learn how to write an email to congratulate a colleague.

Articles 1

Do you know how to use a, an and the?

Articles 2

Do you know when you need to use the in common phrases and place names?

Vocabulary games – Body parts 1

Body parts 1

Do these exercises to learn words for parts of the body.

Booking a table

Listen to someone booking a table in a restaurant to practise and improve your listening skills.

Business cards

Read four business cards to practise and improve your reading skills.

Business cards

Listen to four people talk about their jobs to practise and improve your listening skills.

Checking understanding

In this video, Paul has problems understanding Bob. Listen to the language they use for checking understanding and practise saying the useful phrases.

Vocabulary games – Clothes 1

Clothes 1

Do the exercises to learn words for different kinds of clothes.

Vocabulary games – Colours

Colours

Do these exercises to learn the names of colours.

Countable and uncountable nouns 1

Do you know how to use a, some, any, much and many?

Countable and uncountable nouns 2

Do you know how to use a few, few, very little and a bit of?

Vocabulary games – Daily routine

Daily routine

Do the exercises and learn how to talk about what you do every day.