Level definition is first and very important step in learning English. After all, depending on it, the training program is selected. Despite this, many English tests will not only not help determine your level but they can also be misleading.
This can lead to the fact that you will be trained according to the wrong program, which will negatively affect the result. How to avoid it? How to determine your language level correctly? What tests should be used for this? Now you will know everything.
What tests to determine the level of English are there?
One has only to enter the query "English level test" in a search engine, and you will find many sites that offer you their own online test s. But not all of these tests will help you correctly identify it.
Consider a standard test.
You have seen or taken English tests more than once, where you have to choose one correct answer from several. They are very common, but such tests won't help you at all in definition proficiency level English. Perhaps you will answer all the questions perfectly, thereby showing that you know the theoretical part (grammar) very well.
Checking your level of language proficiency includes not only a test of knowledge, but also a test of skills. And the online test will not determine practical skills: writing, reading, speaking and listening.
I'm not talking about the fact that many people often answer some questions in such tests “with a finger to the sky”, that is, they choose an option at random. Of course it says that you don't know desired material but just trying to guess correct option. That is, there is no question of knowledge here at all.
Two types of tests can be distinguished:
1. Determining your knowledge (theory);
2. Determining the level of language proficiency (theory + practice).
Since option 1 is incomplete and will not help you determine the level of English proficiency, we will consider in detail the second option of the test. First, let's decide what levels of English are.
What are the levels of English proficiency?
Exists international system English language levels. According to her, there are 6 levels of English proficiency. You know them.
1.Beginner(First level).
This is the level of people who are just starting to learn the language, or have studied it a long time ago and at a low level. At this level, a person knows the alphabet, the basic rules of reading, can answer simple questions.
2. Elementary(elementary level).
The name speaks for itself. At this level, you can use elementary constructions and phrases, simple times(Present Simple, past simple, Future Simple, Present Continuous, Past continuous, Future Continuous), to communicate on topics familiar to you.
3. Pre-Intermediate(below the average).
You can chat, keep up a conversation, build more complex sentences and use more difficult times(Present Perfect, past perfect, Future Perfect).
4. intermediate(average level).
At this level, you understand English, express yourself fluently, and know all tenses.
5. Upper Intermediate(level above average).
You communicate easily everyday topics, calmly understand what you are being told, know all the nuances of using tenses.
6. Advanced(advanced level).
You understand English speech, you know grammar, you can think and speak it as if it were your native language.
Important point: absolutely at any level you should be able to read and write, understand speech and speak English, but within the material of these levels. If your level is elementary, then you should be able to speak very basic English. If intermediate, then you should be great at it. The higher the level, the better your skills and more knowledge.
What does the English level test include?
We have determined that the correct tests are those that determine the level of language proficiency (knowledge and skills). Consider what items such a test should include:
1. Knowledge of grammar
Grammar is the rules by which words are linked into sentences. It includes: knowledge of all tenses in English and the ability to coordinate them, all parts of speech and the nuances associated with their use.
2. Vocabulary
This is how many words you have in your "baggage". Vocabulary consists of words that you can understand by listening and reading (passive), and which you yourself use when speaking (active).
4. Listening
This is the ability to understand English. You must be able not only to catch incoherent words, but to be able to understand the whole speech: in the right time and with meaning.
5. Ability to speak
Can you speak English? You may know grammar and vocabulary well, but not be able to use this knowledge in a conversation at all. It is this skill that is tested in this paragraph.
How to choose the right test to determine the level?
To correctly determine the level of English proficiency, the test should contain the following tasks:
1. Translation of Russian sentences into English.
This assignment will show theoretical knowledge grammar and vocabulary. If you know the rules, you can easily translate a sentence.
2. Translation from English to Russian
This task will show how much you understand the meaning of what you read.
3. Small essay
It will let you know how freely you can express your thoughts in writing and how big your vocabulary.
4. Speaking part
This part is aimed at testing two skills at once: speaking and understanding skills English speech (listening). Of course, this part cannot be completed online, since live communication is required here.
During the dialogue, it is easy to understand at what level your spoken English and listening skills are. In this case, the teacher (or a person with a high level of English) can ask additional questions, ask to translate sentences from Russian into English and vice versa (as in parts 1 and 2).
Completing these tasks will really reflect your level of knowledge. Therefore, we use just such a test. Of course, such a test is more difficult and longer than the one where you just need to choose the right option. But he will show not only the level of knowledge of English, but also its proficiency (practical part).
I sincerely wish you success in your studies, no matter what stage you are at now. After all, the most important thing is your desire to learn the language and develop the knowledge already gained.
The best way to determine if your English language skills are B1 level is to take a quality standardized test. Below is a list of the main internationally recognized tests and their respective B1 scores:
What can you do with knowledge of English at level B1
Level B1 of English will be sufficient to communicate with native English speakers on familiar topics. In the workplace, the B1 English level allows the employee to read simple reports on familiar topics and write simple emails in his professional area. However, B1 level is not enough to communicate in the workplace only in English.
According to the official CEFR guidelines, a student with B1 English proficiency:
- Understands the main ideas of clear standard messages on familiar topics regularly encountered at work, school, leisure, etc.
- Can communicate in most situations that may arise during a stay in a country where the target language is spoken.
- Can write simple coherent text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest to him.
- Can describe experiences, events, dreams, hopes and aspirations, state and justify opinions and plans.
More about knowledge of English at level B1
The official conclusions about the student's skills are broken down into smaller sub-items for educational purposes. Such a detailed classification will help you evaluate own level knowledge of English or help the teacher assess the level of students. For example, a student who speaks English at level B1 will be able to do everything that a student at level A2 can do, as well as:
- to discuss dreams and hopes for the future in the personal and professional sphere. organize and pass an interview when applying for a job in your professional field.
- talk about your TV preferences and favorite programmes.
- describe your education and your plans for future studies.
- talk about loved ones musical works and musical trends. Be able to plan an evening of listening to live music.
- talk about management healthy lifestyle life, give and receive advice on healthy habits.
- talk about relationships and acquaintances, including communication with people on social networks.
- visit a restaurant, order food, engage in small talk at dinner, and pay the bill.
- participate in negotiations in their area of expertise, enlisting help in understanding some issues.
- discuss safety issues in the workplace.
- Discuss the norms of polite behavior and adequately respond to impolite behavior.
Of course, progress will depend on the type of course and the individual student, but it can be predicted that the student will achieve a B1 English proficiency level in 400 hours of study (total).
Or in courses, you will definitely come across the concept of “English language levels” or “English language proficiency levels”, as well as such incomprehensible designations as A1, B2, and more understandable Beginner, Intermediate and so on. From this article, you will learn what these formulations mean and what levels of knowledge of the language distinguish, as well as how to determine your level of english.
The levels of English are designed so that language learners can be divided into groups with approximately similar knowledge and skills in reading, writing, speaking and writing, as well as to simplify testing procedures, examinations, for various purposes related to emigration, study abroad and employment. This classification helps in recruiting students into a group and preparing teaching aids, methods, language teaching programs.
Of course, there is no clear boundary between the levels, this division is rather conditional, necessary not so much for students as for teachers. In total, there are 6 levels of language proficiency, there are two types of division:
- Levels A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2,
- Beginner, Elementary, Intermediate, Upper Intermediate, Advanced, Proficiency levels.
Basically it's just two different names for the same. These 6 levels are divided into three groups.
Table: English language proficiency levels
The classification was developed in the late eighties - early nineties of the last century, it is fully called the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (abbr. CERF).
English levels: detailed description
Beginner level (A1)
At this level you can:
- Understand and use familiar everyday expressions and simple phrases aimed at solving specific problems.
- Introduce yourself, introduce other people, ask simple personal questions, such as “Where do you live?”, “Where are you from?”, be able to answer such questions.
- Maintain a simple conversation if the other person speaks slowly, clearly, and helps you.
Many English learners in school have a language proficiency of about Beginner level. From the vocabulary only elementary mother, father, help me, my name is, London is the capital. You can understand well-known words and expressions by ear if they speak very clearly and without an accent, as in audio lessons for a textbook. You understand texts like the “Exit” sign, and in a conversation with the help of gestures, using individual words, you can express the simplest thoughts.
Elementary level (A2)
At this level you can:
- Understand common expressions on the common topics, such as: family, shopping, work, etc.
- Talk about simple everyday topics, using simple phrases.
- Tell simple expressions about yourself, describe simple situations.
If at school you had 4 or 5 in English, but after some time did not use English, then most likely you speak the language at the Elementary level. TV shows in English will not be understood, except perhaps individual words, but the interlocutor, if he speaks clearly, in simple phrases of 2-3 words, you will generally understand. You can also incoherently and with long pauses for reflection tell the simplest information about yourself, say that the sky is blue and the weather is clear, express a simple wish, make an order at McDonald's.
Beginner - Elementary levels can be called "survival level", Survival English. It is enough to "survive" during a trip to a country where the main language is English.
Intermediate level (B1)
At this level you can:
- Understand the general meaning of distinct speech on general, familiar topics related to everyday life (work, study, etc.)
- Cope with the most typical situations on a trip, travel (at the airport, in a hotel, etc.)
- Write simple connected text on topics that are common or familiar to you personally.
- Retell events, describe hopes, dreams, ambitions, be able to briefly talk about plans and explain your point of view.
Vocabulary and knowledge of grammar is enough to write simple essays about yourself, describe cases from life, write a letter to a friend. But in most cases, oral speech lags behind written speech, you confuse tenses, think over a phrase, pause to pick up a preposition (to or for?), but you can more or less communicate, especially if there is no shyness or fear of making a mistake.
It is much more difficult to understand the interlocutor, and if it is a native speaker, and even with fast speech and a bizarre accent, then it is almost impossible. However, simple, clear speech is understood well, provided that the words and expressions are familiar. You generally understand if the text is not very complex, and with some difficulty understand the general meaning without subtitles.
Level Upper Intermediate (B2)
At this level you can:
- Understand the general meaning of complex text on concrete and abstract topics, including technical (specialized) topics in your profile.
- Speak quickly enough so that communication with a native speaker occurs without long pauses.
- Write clear, detailed text different topics explain a point of view, give arguments for and against various points view on the topic.
Upper Intermediate is already a good, sound, confident command of the language. If you are talking on a well-known topic with a person whose pronunciation you understand well, then the conversation will go quickly, easily, naturally. An outside observer will say that you are fluent in English. However, you can be confused by words and expressions related to topics that are poorly understood by you, all sorts of jokes, sarcasm, allusions, slang.
You are asked to answer 36 questions to test listening, writing, speaking and grammar.
It is noteworthy that to test listening comprehension, phrases such as “London is the capital” recorded by the announcer are not used, but short excerpts from films (Puzzle English specializes in learning English from films and TV shows). In English-language films, the speech of the characters is close to how people speak in real life, so the test may seem harsh.
Chandler from Friends doesn't have the best pronunciation.
To check the letter, you need to translate several phrases from English into Russian and from Russian into English. The program provides several translation options for each phrase. To test knowledge of grammar, it is used quite regular test, where you need to choose one option from several offered.
But you are probably wondering how the program can test the skill colloquial speech? Of course, an online English proficiency test will not test your speech as a person, but the test developers came up with original solution. In the task, you need to listen to a phrase from the movie and choose a cue that is suitable for continuing the dialogue.
Talking is not enough, you also need to understand the interlocutor!
The ability to speak English consists of two skills: to understand the speech of the interlocutor by ear and to express one's thoughts. This task, albeit in a simplified form, tests how you cope with both tasks.
At the end of the test you will be shown full list questions with correct answers, you will find out where you made mistakes. And of course, you will see a chart showing your level on a scale from Beginner to Upper Intermediate. 
2. Test to determine the level of English with a teacher
To get a professional, “live” (not automated, as in tests) assessment of the level of English, you need English teacher who will test you with assignments and an interview in English.
This consultation is free of charge. First, your city may have Language school in which they offer to pass free testing for knowledge of the language and even a trial lesson. Now this is a common practice.
In short, I signed up for a trial test lesson, got in touch on Skype at the appointed time, and the teacher Alexandra and I held a lesson, during which she “tortured” me in every possible way different tasks. All communication was in English.
My trial lesson on SkyEng. Checking grammar knowledge.
At the end of the lesson, the teacher explained to me in detail in which direction I should develop my English, what problems I have, and a little later she sent a letter with detailed description level of language skills (with marks on a 5-point scale) and methodological recommendations.
This method took some time: three days passed from the application to the lesson, and the lesson itself lasted about 40 minutes. But it is much more interesting than any online test.
Self-critical people like to repeat that they don't know anything (although in fact they can speak the language at a level closer to the average and continue to regularly enroll in English courses), and conceited people claim in an interview that they speak English perfectly (when in fact, again, they can be “average”).
For the most impatient, who check their level after each cup of coffee, the buttons are displayed at the top. This is done for your convenience: no tedious text searches, click on health and get your certificates - we don't mind.
And for the most assiduous who are not used to guessing on coffee grounds, we offer to plunge into multi-level English. With feeling, sense, arrangement, we will talk about how Elementary differs from Intermediate and whether Advanced is as scary as it is painted.
Basically, he will evaluate the fundamental base - i.e. grammar. However, it depends on the degree of ownership foreign speech. Because you can chat incessantly in English, but at the same time make so many mistakes that the interlocutor can hardly guess what the conversation is about. Or you can make sentences slowly in oral speech, weighing each word without making gross mistakes - and thus create the impression of a person who speaks English well.
Level 0 - Complete beginner(or Complete...beginner)
Just don't say now that it's you. If you know the name of the letter "i" or even remember something from the school like "teacher", "book" - feel free to move on. Zero level - only for those who studied another language at school. Or not studied at all.
Level 1 - Elementary(Elementary)
Holmes would be happy with such a title. Yes, and the majority of those who graduated from the ordinary high school- too. Because this level, unfortunately, is the most common among those who learned English through a stump-deck and happily got a “three” at the final exam.
What characterizes Elementary: you can quite tolerably read many words (especially without any gh, th, ough), there are mother, father, I am from Russia and other most common phrases in the vocabulary, and you can sometimes catch something from the song that familiar.
Level 2 - Upper-Elementary(Higher Elementary)
A good student of an ordinary school with the study of English can boast of such a level. And also quite often it is on Upper-Elementary for some reason that those who studied the language on their own decide to stop. Why? Because there is an illusion of knowing English: the vocabulary is already decent enough to support some main topics of conversation (in any case, in a hotel abroad it will already be possible to speak without indecent gestures), reading usually goes quite well, and even American films in the original become more or less understandable (25 percent).
However, such conclusions are misleading. Especially if you look at other levels of English.
You can jump from the usual Elementary to Upper in 80 hours if you work hard.
Level 3 - Pre-Intermediate(Lower Intermediate)
If you passed the English level test and got such a result - our congratulations. Because it's a very decent command of English. It occurs in ordinary school excellent students, specialized school good students and the bulk of those who combine English courses with trips abroad.
What characterizes this level: in pronunciation there are no “f” or “t” instead of [θ] and in general the speech of such a student does not have a strong Russian accent, written speech is quite literate and completely understandable, you can even communicate on unfamiliar topics using simple sentences. In general - among the levels of English Pre-Intermediate language occurs most often in serious students.
Level 4 - Intermediate(Average level)
A very worthy result. Practically unattainable for schoolchildren in regular school and quite real for those who did not hack at English lessons in specialized school. Among self-learners of English, not everyone reaches this level. They usually rent at the previous one, because you can reach Intermediate in about six months of foreign courses with accommodation, a year good courses or a year of tutoring.
What characterizes this level of English: clear pronunciation, good vocabulary, ability to communicate on various topics, the ability to compose complex written appeals(up to official documents), films in English with subtitles go with a bang.
With this level, you can already take international TOEFL tests, IELTS.
Level 5 - Upper Intermediate(Upper middle level)
If you passed the test for the level of English and received such a result, then you can almost without deceit write in your resume for a position: “English is Fluency". College graduates at the Faculty of Foreign Languages usually reach this level.
What is characterized by: skillful manipulation of different styles in his speech (business, conversational, etc.), almost flawless pronunciation, the ability to act as a simultaneous interpreter in an informal setting, fluent reading, understanding the most difficult style - the language of newspapers and magazines in English, deft compilation even especially complex structures offers.
Level 6 - Advanced(Advanced)
This is probably the pinnacle that learners of English can reach in a country where it is not official. Who can speak advanced level, are usually perceived by the interlocutors as people who have lived in the United States or another English-speaking country for several years.
In fact, you can achieve Advanced even at the Faculty of Foreign Languages in a college, not to mention universities. And this proves that 5 years, during which it will be spread out for 1-2 hours a day to study English, is enough. And if you choose intensive courses, the result will be achieved even earlier.
What is the level of English advanced language: By right, this is fluency in English. Pronunciation with almost no accent, conducting formal and informal conversations, working as a simultaneous interpreter, fully understanding films/books/songs in the original, no grammatical errors in written speech and minimal presence of errors in oral speech, understanding of idioms and colloquial expressions. You can confidently plan a career abroad, as well as studying in foreign universities.
Level 7 - Super-Advanced(Super advanced)
Are there any here? If so, then the computer, most likely, failed on the test in terms of the level of English.) For language proficiency at this level is the lot of natives living in a country where state language accepted English.
What characterizes the Super-Advanced level? Imagine… yourself speaking Russian. You will understand any speech, even if it is a conversation between two emo teenagers discussing topics unknown to you. You will understand even jargon. But with all this, you yourself also own the art of the word, deftly operating with terms and folding them into beautiful sentences, without errors (including stylistic ones). And now - the same in English. Well, how?
Dia friend! Are you already feeling itchy in your fingers? Are the belts fastened? And are you still here?
Click on the button - and go! Do not forget to insert paper into the printer to print the certificate and proudly show it to everyone interested.
specially for
| Make your choice and get a certificate | ||||
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If you only know the Terminator phrase in English or decide to test the theory of probability “what if you answer at random” - do not bother, get a novice certificate (“Full Beginner”) and rejoice. |
And for all those who suffer, test their knowledge and get documentary evidence of their success - click the "determine your level of English" button and take the test. Be honest with yourself! And may English be with you. Advanced. |
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| A - Elementary proficiency | B - Self Ownership | C - Fluency | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | A2 | B1 | B2 | C1 | C2 |
| Survival Level | Pre-threshold level | threshold level | Threshold advanced level | Proficiency Level | Ownership at the carrier level |
| , Elementary | |||||
Want to know if your knowledge is at the Elementary level? Take our course and get recommendations to help you improve your English.
The Elementary English level is the foundation on which your knowledge of the English language will rest
AT European system levels of ownership foreign language A1 Elementary level has the same letter designation as Beginner. However, it is the Elementary level of English that is considered the survival level. That is, the knowledge gained at this stage is enough to communicate in English in household level. For example, if you are abroad, you can check the direction of travel with local residents, make purchases, book a hotel room, etc.
As a rule, students come to the Elementary level already with a small amount of knowledge gained on the Beginner course, at school or another educational institution. If you have previously studied English, it means that you already have at least some basic knowledge, even if it seems to you that you have studied for a long time and do not remember anything. In fact, you have already "acquainted" with the English language, you know the letters and sounds, you can read, you can introduce yourself and say simple phrases about yourself, your friends, family, home. This is enough to start studying at the Elementary level.
We recommend that you start learning English at the Elementary level if you:
- have studied English a little or for a short time, received elementary knowledge;
- almost do not speak English, although you know elementary grammar and about 300-500 words;
- have a vague idea of English grammar and would like to understand all tenses and constructions;
- have basic knowledge, but do not understand English at all by ear;
- completed the Beginner level in English courses or with a personal teacher.
Material that a person at the Elementary level should know
If you think your English is a little better than in the categories above, you may already be able to speak English at the Elementary level. To verify this, check out the table below. It is considered that you know English at the Elementary level and can move to the level if you have the following knowledge:
| Skill | your knowledge |
|---|---|
| Grammar (Grammar) | You understand how the verb to be is used (I am a student, It is cold). You know three simple tenses (Present, Future and Past Simple), present long time(Present Continuous), have an idea of the present perfect tense (Present Perfect). You understand the difference between sentences in the future tense: I'm going to bake a cake (to be going to construction), I'll bake a cake (Future Simple), I'm baking a cake (Present Continuous to indicate future action) . Do you know three forms irregular verbs(drive-drove-driven). You can ask questions to your interlocutor (Word order in questions). You understand the difference between a cat and the cat (the indefinite and definite articles). You are not surprised that you can say a cookie, but you can’t say a toast (toast, a toasted piece of bread) ( Countable and uncountable nouns). You understand what lady's dress, James' house (Possessive Case) means. You know the degrees of comparison of adjectives (big-bigger-the biggest). You understand the difference between that cup, this cup, these cups, those cups (Demonstrative pronouns). You know object pronouns(me, him, her, us, them) and the rules for their use. You know some adverbs of frequency (often, usually, always, sometimes) and mode of action (well, quickly, hard). You know what There is no snow on the ground (There is/are/was/were) means. Do you know what sentences mean I can read, I can't swim, You should work ( modal verbs can/can't/should). You understand what I like reading, I hate shopping means (Construction like/love/hate + -ing). |
| Vocabulary (Vocabulary) | Your vocabulary is between 1000 and 1500 words and phrases. You know commonly used words and phrases in English. |
| speaking (Speaking) | You can describe yourself, your family and home in a few simple sentences. You know how to talk about your preferences and hobbies. You can easily describe your working day and weekend rest. You can make purchases in a store abroad or communicate with the staff at the hotel within the limits of your familiar vocabulary. You can talk about simple everyday topics. You can answer simple questions within topics that are familiar to you. |
| Reading (Reading) | You understand adapted literature at your level. You can understand signs and announcements in public places or on the street. You can understand the essence of general news. |
| listening (Listening) | You understand audio recordings adapted to your level. You understand what native speakers are saying to you if they speak slowly and use familiar vocabulary. |
| Letter (Writing) | You can write a simple personal letter to a friend. You can write Short text about yourself, your hobby, family, home. You can fill in simple personal data. |
If you are still not sure about the choice of the level of study, we recommend that you check your knowledge using ours.
The Elementary level program includes the study of such topics in the curriculum
| Grammar Topics | Conversational Topics |
|---|---|
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How will your speaking skills develop in the Elementary course?
In the Elementary course, as in the other levels, you will work on four core skills: speaking, by listening, By reading, Letter. You will meet simple grammatical constructions English, replenish your vocabulary with the most necessary words and phrases, you will develop correct pronunciation and intonation.
Your the main task at any level - learn talk(Speaking). At the Elementary level, you will already be able to take part in a small dialogue, ask questions within the framework of the topics you have studied and understand the answers to them, especially if the interlocutor does not use words you do not know. You will be able to tell a monologue of 5-10 sentences about yourself, your family, hobbies.
At A1 Elementary level you will learn understand by ear (listening) individual familiar words and simple phrases that sound rather slow and clear. The material used for listening is simple texts and dialogues that will be completely clear to you after the second listening.
Concerning reading(Reading), new texts in English will be present in almost every lesson. Each of these texts is a source of new words and expressions that you have to learn at this level. In the Elementary course, the basic vocabulary is studied: you learn the most necessary in Everyday life words and phrases. Also at this stage, you will fix the reading rules in memory. You will learn to read correctly "on the machine" all the letter combinations you meet, without checking the dictionary. And you will do this in the process of reading an interesting text.
Concerning letters(Writing), then the training will begin with the simplest actions. You will learn how to sign postcards, fill out small questionnaires, where you need to indicate your name, surname, nationality, and so on. By the end of the level you will be able to write short essays and personal letters.
At the level English Elementary vocabulary (Vocabulary) will expand to 1000-1500 words. Level A1 is saturated with the most useful words and phrases that are often used in all typical communication situations (shop, airport, on the street, etc.). Most of words at this level are universal and can be used in written and spoken speech, regardless of style. However, the amount of material to study will be large enough, because even for simple dialogues we need to know a lot of words. But do not be afraid that you will be forced to learn lists of words by heart. is aimed at mastering the language in the process of communication, so you will memorize new words with the help of dialogues on the topic under study.
Term of study at the Elementary level
The term for studying English at the Elementary level depends on individual features student and his basic knowledge. Average duration Elementary course duration is 6-9 months. Although this is one of the first levels of language proficiency, it covers a lot of material that will allow you to express yourself in the most typical situations of daily communication. At this level, you will receive basic knowledge, which is why it is important to lay a solid foundation, which will subsequently allow you to achieve high levels English proficiency.
And for those who want to not only test their knowledge of the English language, but also improve it, we suggest enrolling in our school. The teacher will determine your level, weak and strong points and help improve knowledge.
