CEFR A1 Level Guide
Your complete guide to beginner English proficiency
What is CEFR A1 Level?
CEFR A1 is the beginner level of English proficiency. At this level, you can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at satisfying concrete needs.
You Can Do
- Introduce yourself and others
- Ask and answer basic personal questions
- Interact in simple conversations
- Understand common everyday expressions
Study Time
Typically requires 80-100 hours of guided study for complete beginners to reach A1 level.
Perfect For
- Complete beginners
- Elementary school students
- Adult beginners returning to English
A1 Language Skills Breakdown
Listening Skills
At A1 level, you can understand:
- Familiar words and very basic phrases
- Simple instructions and directions
- Basic information about yourself and family
- Slow, clear speech with pauses
Example Situations:
- Understanding simple greetings
- Following basic directions ("Turn left", "Go straight")
- Comprehending numbers, prices, and times
Reading Skills
At A1 level, you can read:
- Familiar names, words, and simple sentences
- Simple notices and signs
- Basic personal information forms
- Very simple texts with visual support
Example Texts:
- Simple postcards and greetings
- Basic menus and price lists
- Street signs and store names
Speaking Skills
At A1 level, you can:
- Use simple phrases for basic needs
- Introduce yourself and others
- Ask for basic information
- Express likes and dislikes simply
Example Phrases:
- "Hello, my name is..."
- "Where is the bathroom?"
- "I like coffee"
Writing Skills
At A1 level, you can write:
- Simple isolated phrases and sentences
- Basic personal information forms
- Short, simple postcards
- Fill in personal details on forms
Example Writing:
- Hotel registration forms
- Simple shopping lists
- Brief holiday postcards
A1 Vocabulary Requirements
Words
Active vocabulary needed for A1 level communication
Topics
Essential topic areas to master
Essential Vocabulary Topics
Personal Information
Name, age, nationality, job, family members, physical appearance
Home & Family
House, rooms, furniture, family relationships, daily routines
Shopping
Food, clothes, colors, sizes, numbers, prices, quantities
Time & Dates
Days, months, seasons, clock time, frequency expressions
Food & Drink
Basic foods, meals, restaurants, cooking verbs, preferences
Places & Directions
Countries, cities, landmarks, transportation, basic directions
A1 Grammar Essentials
Core Grammar Points
-
Present Simple
I work, He likes, They live -
Be Verb
I am, You are, He is -
Articles
a, an, the -
Basic Questions
What, Where, When, Who -
Plural Forms
book → books, child → children
Practice Examples
Present Simple
✓ "She works in a hospital."
✓ "They study English."
Basic Questions
✓ "What is your name?"
✓ "How old are you?"
Effective A1 Learning Strategies
Daily Practice
- Study 15-30 minutes every day
- Review vocabulary with flashcards
- Practice speaking with language apps
- Listen to simple English audio
Study Materials
- Beginner coursebooks
- Picture dictionaries
- Children's books
- Language learning apps
Focus Areas
Week 1-2: Basics
Alphabet, numbers, greetings, personal information
Week 3-4: Daily Life
Family, home, food, shopping, time
Week 5-8: Communication
Simple conversations, directions, preferences
A1 Assessment & Testing
Official Tests
- Cambridge Key (KET)
- Trinity GESE Grade 2-3
- IELTS 2.5-3.5
- TOEFL 32-42
Self-Assessment
Check if you can:
- ✓ Introduce yourself
- ✓ Ask for basic information
- ✓ Understand simple instructions
- ✓ Fill out forms
- ✓ Make simple purchases
Next Steps
Ready for A2 when you can:
- ✓ Hold simple conversations
- ✓ Describe past experiences
- ✓ Express opinions simply
- ✓ Understand longer texts
- ✓ Write short paragraphs