Thus, the path up this ladder from the level of a graduate of a good special school with English language to the level of an Oxford University applicant takes at least a whole year of study abroad, no matter how offensive it may seem to our graduate. Well, for a capable and hardworking graduate, perhaps 9 months is enough. And with intensive training (30 hours a week), perhaps six months.

Here we need to make some explanations. When we are talking about the level of language proficiency of a local resident (native speaker), then a decently educated and moderately erudite local resident, for whom this language is native, is meant. And even then, not every Englishman can pass the Cambridge exam for “Proficiency”. What can we say about the huge number of immigrants from the most different countries of the world speaking English in a very specific way. Sometimes students who come to study English at high levels speak it much better than those they encounter, say, on the streets of London.

But without studying in the country of the language being studied, to master a living modern language almost impossible - no textbooks have time to keep track of what happens to the language when a variety of jargons, dialects, slang, foreign borrowings are mixed. You need to find yourself not only in the linguistic, but also in the cultural context, to know what the newspapers write about, what they discuss on TV, what songs they sing, what jokes they tell ... Only then will it be possible to pass the English exams with the highest score.

So how long does it take to learn English for admission to Oxford University (this educational institution makes the highest possible requirements for the level of English proficiency of foreign applicants, in many universities the requirements are much lower)?

According to Western estimates (approximate, average and published solely as information of a recommendatory nature), from zero to passing the IELTS exam at 7.5, you need to study 1000-1200 classroom hours, with a qualified teacher. Hours of self-study, preparation, assignments, etc. must be added to this number.

Theoretically, you can pass all the levels without going abroad - it can take about 2.5 - 3 years if you take courses a couple of times a week for 4 hours. "Theoretically" because in practice it is quite difficult to implement, except perhaps to enter the philological faculty of a prestigious university. In ordinary language courses, it is rarely possible to move from level to level without breaks in classes, and at high levels, groups are generally formed very rarely. At the Advanced level, it is no longer possible to do without a trip to study abroad.

If you study abroad, it will take three times less time - one year is usually enough even for a graduate of a regular high school in order to reach the desired level of proficiency foreign language.

Thus, the well-known formula “time is money” gets its visual embodiment: you can save money, but you will have to spend much more time. You can reach the next level faster, but you will have to pay more. You can learn a language even faster - study more intensively, in mini-groups or individually, but it will cost even more.

But what does not happen is miracles. For no amount of money, no one anywhere can learn a foreign language in a month - no matter what the sellers of all sorts of miracles like "25-frame", "unique author's techniques", "English in 16 lessons" and other nonsense promise. Parents who plan their child's future career in advance can successfully combine education in our country with occasional summer trips. language classes abroad - then by the end of our school, in addition to the certificate, a teenager can also receive a certificate of passing an international exam.

If you need advice on how to most effectively and quickly improve your level of foreign language proficiency, please contact us! We help everyone, regardless of region or country of residence.
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Hello, friends. Many of you are probably asking yourself the question: “What is my level of knowledge of English? What level can be considered basic? To what level would you like to improve your English? How is English proficiency measured? We will try to answer these questions in this article.

Conditionally There are 4 levels of English proficiency:
elementary - initial
intermediate - medium
advanced - advanced
proficiency (fluent) - native speaker (fluent)

If you take any foreign tutorial, for example, Longman, then either on the cover or on the first pages it will be indicated what level this manual is. Many publishers divide the first 3 levels into several sub-levels:

elementary - beginner (starter) - beginner
- easy - easy

intermediate - low-intermediate - lower middle
- intermediate - medium
- upper-intermediate - high medium

advanced - advanced - advanced
- high-advanced - high

By what parameters is the division into levels?
1. By the number of words learned
2. According to the level of proficiency in grammar and speech structures.

Number of words learned by levels

Different publishers may have different criteria. For example, some elementary have 100 words, others have 500, the same differences are in grammar. When choosing a study guide or book for yourself, look at the first pages with text or tasks. If it's too easy for you, take the book of the next level. If much is not clear, then take the previous level.

According to my observations, for those who learn English from scratch, it is suitable beginner level- it doesn't get any easier. The easy level requires some kind of foundation. There, they usually use the present simple / continuous, future simple and past simple.
Intermediate is the level at which everyone sits for a very long time. We can say that, knowing English at the intermediate level, you already have a base. This is the basic grammar (without the nuances that are important only to the British :), and several thousand English words. Our school program ideally brings students to intermediate level.
Advanced is, as they say, the field where you can roam. This is already fairly fluent English. Usually, textbooks at this level take some specialization (for example, business English), and study words / terms / grammatical structures in the chosen direction.

Of course, you need to strive for the advanced level, because with it you can already take international certificates, which, unlike school certificates / university diplomas / shorts of local English courses, are valid throughout the civilized world.

But if you are a beginner and learn English from scratch, do not chase levels. Do not sign up for courses in a group with a more advanced level, you will slip, much will remain incomprehensible. Often adults who want to learn English say something like this: "I have school English, but I need business English / I'm going to get an IELTS / TOEFL certificate." But at the same time, they cannot distinguish the present simple from the present continuous. Be realistic, smoothly and gradually replenish your knowledge, and your level of knowledge of the English language will certainly increase.

Description of each level according to the international system:

A1 Beginner Elementary

The student understands and can use in speech familiar phrases and expressions necessary to perform specific tasks. Can introduce himself, introduce others, ask, answer questions about the place of residence, acquaintances, property. Can engage in simple conversation if the other person speaks slowly and clearly and is willing to help.

A2 Pre-Intermediate

The student understands single sentences and common expressions related to the main areas of life (for example, basic information about himself and his family members, shopping, getting a job, etc.). Can perform tasks involving the simple exchange of information with acquaintances or everyday topics. In simple terms, he can talk about himself, his family and friends, describe the main aspects of everyday life.

В1 Intermediate

The student understands the main ideas of clear messages made on literary language on various topics that typically arise at work, study, leisure, etc. Able to communicate in most situations that may arise during a stay in the country of the language being studied. Can compose a coherent report on topics known or of particular interest to him. Can describe impressions, events, hopes, aspirations, state and justify opinions and plans for the future.

B2 Upper-Intermediate

The student understands the general content of complex texts on abstract and concrete topics, including highly specialized texts. Speaks quickly and spontaneously enough to constantly communicate with native speakers without much difficulty for either party. Able to make clear, detailed reports on a variety of topics and state their view of the main problem, show the advantages and disadvantages of different opinions.

The student understands voluminous complex texts on various topics, recognizes the hidden meaning. Speaks spontaneously at a fast pace, without difficulty in choosing words and expressions. Uses language flexibly and effectively to communicate in scientific and professional activity. Can produce accurate, detailed, well-structured messages on complex topics, demonstrating mastery of text organization patterns, means of communication, and aggregation of text elements.

The student understands almost any oral or written message, can compose a coherent text based on several oral and written sources. Speaks spontaneously at a high pace and with a high degree of accuracy, emphasizing nuances of meaning even in the most complex cases.

Many of us speak English, but not all are the same. Very often, a person learning a language asks different questions about what level is considered sufficient to achieve a particular goal, whether there is a generally accepted classification. When applying for a job, a resume, as a rule, always indicates one of the following levels of foreign language proficiency: fluent, conversational or basic. This is the simplest classification, and there are many more levels of proficiency.

Beginner level is called beginner. It includes only the simplest knowledge: the ability to tell about yourself in two, three simple sentences, reading simple texts, as well as the ability to compose a dialogue on simple topics. Vocabulary must contain at least 500 words.

The next level is basic or Elementary. This level includes: knowledge of many grammatical structures, as well as the ability to fluently read texts. The vocabulary is close to 1500 words.

Then comes the level Pre-intermediate translated as before the middle. It is characterized by the ability to recognize foreign speech by ear, as well as full possession of basic skills.

The next level is knowledge of English intermediate. It implies knowledge of all existing forms of the verb, as well as free communication on everyday topics and the presence of 3000 words in vocabulary.

After the intermediate level comes the level Upper-intermediate, implies a very good command of the language. At this level, there should be a free understanding of speech by ear, including radio and television programs. In the lexicon at this point there are about 5000 words.

And highest level counts Advanced. It implies knowledge of English at the native level.

Knowledge of English Intermediate what gives this level

• Knowledge of simple grammatical structures.
• Opportunity to keep up a conversation on everyday topics.
• There is a good understanding of simple speech constructions and sentences.