B1 Level

What is B1 Level?

The course covers B1 level English thoroughly – right up to the beginning of B2. This provides a solid foundation for continued learning, and for your learners’ future lives and careers.

B1 is a level of English defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It is an important level as it bridges the gap between simple and complex language usage. The CEFR says that learners at B1 level:

  • Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
  • Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken.
  • Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest.
  • Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

Speaking: Learn to

  • start, maintain and close simple face to face conversation on familiar topics
  • deal with most situations when making travel arrangements or travelling
  • ask for and follow detailed directions
  • express and respond to feelings such as surprise, happiness, sadness, interest or indifference
  • give or seek personal opinions
  • agree or disagree with someone politely
  • narrate a story
  • give detailed accounts of experiences, describing feelings and reactions
  • describe dreams, hopes and ambitions
  • relate the plot of a book or film and describe your reactions
  • paraphrase short written passages orally

Listeining: Understand

  • clearly articulated speech when directed at you, though you may have to ask for repetition
  • follow the main points of extended discussion, if clearly articulated in standard dialect
  • short narratives, and be able to guess what comes next
  • clearly expressed radio news bulletins on topics of personal interest
  • the main points of TV programmes on familiar topics
  • simple technical information such as instructions

Reading: Understand

  • the main points in short newspaper articles
  • the overall meaning of columns or interviews in the press
  • the meaning of unknown words and phrases from the context
  • how to use different reading techniques such as skimming and scanning to get relevant information
  • the most important information in short everyday information brochures
  • the plot of a clearly structured story and recognise the significance of events

Writing: Learn to

  • write simple texts on a range of topics within your field of interest or experience
  • express personal views and opinions in writing
  • write personal letters asking for or giving news and narrating events
  • describe the plot of a film or book or describe a concert
  • express feelings in writing such as grief, happiness, interest, regret or sympathy
  • reply in written form to advertisements and ask for specific information on products and services
  • convey, for example by email, short, simple information to friends or colleagues
  • write your CV in summary form