Key Points

• A 12-month English learning plan can help you progress from beginner to advanced levels, depending on your starting point and dedication.
• The plan is based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which includes levels A1 (beginner) to C2 (proficient).
• It seems likely that consistent daily practice, using varied resources, will improve listening, speaking, reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar skills.
• Progress may vary, so the plan should be flexible, with periodic assessments to adjust goals.

Overview

This 12-month English learning plan is designed to guide learners through a structured progression, starting from beginner (A1) and aiming for upper-intermediate (B2) or advanced (C1) proficiency by the end of the year. It incorporates all key language skills and uses the CEFR framework to set clear milestones.

Structure

The plan is divided into five phases, each targeting a specific CEFR level (A1 to C1). Each phase includes goals and activities tailored to build proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar.

Flexibility

Your starting level and learning pace may vary, so the plan can be adjusted. Regular self-assessment and feedback from language partners or tutors are recommended to stay on track.

12-Month English Learning Plan

This comprehensive 12-month English learning plan is designed to help learners progress from beginner (A1) to upper-intermediate (B2) or advanced (C1) proficiency, based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It covers listening, speaking, reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar, with a focus on consistent practice and varied resources. The plan is flexible and can be tailored to your starting level and goals.

General Guidelines

• Regular Practice: Dedicate time daily or several times a week to practice English. Consistency is key to progress.
• Resources:
• Online platforms: Duolingo, Babbel, Rosetta Stone, Memrise
• Language exchange: Tandem, HelloTalk, Conversation Exchange
• Learning communities: Reddit’s r/learnenglish, Stack Exchange’s English Language & Usage
• Books: English Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy, Practical English Usage by Michael Swan
• Apps for vocabulary: Anki, Quizlet
• Listening resources: BBC Learning English, ESL Pod, TED Talks
• Reading: Graded readers, news websites like BBC News, The Guardian
• Assessment:
• Take periodic tests or use apps that provide level assessments (e.g., EF SET, Cambridge English Placement Test) to track progress.
• Adjust the plan based on your progress and areas needing improvement.
• Flexibility:
• If certain areas are challenging, spend more time on them.
• If you progress faster, move to the next level earlier.

Months 1-2: A1 – Beginner

• Goals:
• Understand and use basic phrases and expressions.
• Introduce yourself and others.
• Ask and answer simple questions about personal details.
• Activities:
• Learn basic vocabulary (e.g., greetings, numbers, colors, family, common objects).
• Practice pronunciation of common words and phrases (e.g., using Forvo or YouTube pronunciation guides).
• Listen to simple audio or videos (e.g., beginner podcasts, children’s shows like Peppa Pig or Sesame Street).
• Read short texts (e.g., signs, menus, simple stories for children).
• Write simple sentences about yourself (e.g., “My name is . I am from .”).
• Speak with a language partner or tutor for basic conversations (e.g., using Tandem or HelloTalk).
• Example Weekly Schedule:
  Day Activity Duration
  Monday Learn 20 new words (greetings, numbers) 30 min
  Tuesday Practice pronunciation (YouTube videos) 30 min
  Wednesday Listen to a beginner podcast 20 min
  Thursday Read a short children’s story 20 min
  Friday Write 5 sentences about yourself 20 min
  Saturday Speak with a language partner 30 min
  Sunday Review vocabulary and grammar 30 min Months 3-4: A2 – Elementary
  • Goals:
  • Understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g., personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment).
  • Communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.
  • Activities:
  • Expand vocabulary to include everyday topics (e.g., food, travel, work, hobbies).
  • Learn basic grammar (e.g., present tense, simple past, future with “going to”).
  • Practice listening to slightly more complex audio (e.g., news headlines, simple interviews, or beginner-level podcasts like BBC Learning English).
  • Read short articles or stories for beginners (e.g., graded readers at A2 level).
  • Write short paragraphs on familiar topics (e.g., “My daily routine” or “My family”).
  • Engage in conversations on everyday topics (e.g., “What do you do for work?” or “Where do you live?”).
  • Example Weekly Schedule:
    Day Activity Duration
    Monday Learn 30 new words (food, travel) 30 min
    Tuesday Study present tense grammar 30 min
    Wednesday Listen to a simple interview 20 min
    Thursday Read a graded reader (A2 level) 20 min
    Friday Write a paragraph about your routine 20 min
    Saturday Converse on everyday topics 30 min
    Sunday Review vocabulary and grammar 30 min Months 5-7: B1 – Intermediate
    • Goals:
    • Understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
    • Deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken.
    • Produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest.
    • Describe= Describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes, and ambitions, and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
    • Activities:
    • Learn intermediate vocabulary and idiomatic expressions (e.g., using Quizlet or Memrise).
    • Study more complex grammar (e.g., past tenses, conditionals, modals like “can,” “should,” “must”).
    • Listen to podcasts, radio shows, or TED Talks on interesting topics (e.g., ESL Pod or TED Talks with transcripts).
    • Read books or articles on topics of interest (e.g., short stories, blogs, or news articles at B1 level).
    • Write essays or journal entries on various subjects (e.g., “My favorite hobby” or “A memorable experience”).
    • Participate in discussions or debates on familiar topics (e.g., through language exchange apps or online forums like Reddit’s r/learnenglish).
    • Example Weekly Schedule:
      Day Activity Duration
      Monday Learn 40 new words and idioms 30 min
      Tuesday Study conditional sentences 30 min
      Wednesday Listen to a TED Talk with transcript 30 min
      Thursday Read a news article (B1 level) 30 min
      Friday Write an essay on a personal topic 30 min
      Saturday Discuss a topic with a language partner 45 min
      Sunday Review vocabulary and grammar 30 min Months 8-10: B2 – Upper-Intermediate
      • Goals:
      • Understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in your field of specialization.
      • Interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party.
      • Produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
      • Activities:
      • Learn advanced vocabulary, including phrasal verbs and collocations (e.g., using English Vocabulary in Use by Cambridge).
      • Master advanced grammar structures (e.g., passive voice, subjunctive, complex sentences with relative clauses).
      • Listen to lectures, documentaries, or audiobooks (e.g., BBC Documentaries or Audible books at B2 level).
      • Read novels, newspapers, or academic papers (e.g., The Guardian or New York Times opinion pieces).
      • Write reports, reviews, or opinion pieces (e.g., “Review of a book or movie” or “Essay on a current event”).
      • Engage in debates or presentations on various topics (e.g., through online language exchange groups or local meetups).
      • Example Weekly Schedule:
        Day Activity Duration
        Monday Learn 50 new words (phrasal verbs) 30 min
        Tuesday Study passive voice grammar 30 min
        Wednesday Listen to a documentary 30 min
        Thursday Read a newspaper opinion piece 30 min
        Friday Write a review of a movie 30 min
        Saturday Debate a current issue 45 min
        Sunday Review vocabulary and grammar 30 min Months 11-12: C1 – Advanced
        • Goals:
        • Understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning.
        • Express yourself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions.
        • Use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic, and professional purposes.
        • Produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors, and cohesive devices.
        • Activities:
        • Focus on fluency and accuracy in all skills.
        • Study nuanced vocabulary and expressions (e.g., using Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary).
        • Listen to and understand native speakers in various accents and speeds (e.g., podcasts like The Joe Rogan Experience or The Guardian’s Politics Weekly).
        • Read literary works, research papers, or technical documents (e.g., novels by George Orwell or Jane Austen, or academic articles).
        • Write creative pieces, research papers, or professional reports (e.g., “Short story” or “Research essay on a topic of interest”).
        • Participate in advanced conversations, negotiations, or presentations (e.g., through professional networking groups or public speaking clubs like Toastmasters).
        • Example Weekly Schedule:
          Day Activity Duration
          Monday Learn nuanced vocabulary 30 min
          Tuesday Study complex sentence structures 30 min
          Wednesday Listen to a podcast with varied accents 30 min
          Thursday Read a novel chapter 30 min
          Friday Write a research essay 45 min
          Saturday Present a topic to a group 45 min
          Sunday Review vocabulary and grammar 30 min Notes
          • Starting Level: If you start at a higher level (e.g., A2 or B1), focus on the corresponding months and adjust the timeline accordingly.
          • Progress Variability: Progress depends on individual factors like prior knowledge, learning style, and daily commitment. Regular self-assessment is crucial.
          • Feedback: Seek feedback from language partners, tutors, or teachers to ensure you’re on track.
          • Motivation: Set short-term goals, reward progress (e.g., watch an English movie after completing a month), and join communities for support.
          This plan provides a structured yet flexible approach to learning English over 12 months, ensuring steady progress toward fluency. Key Citations:
          • Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
          • English Proficiency Levels: A Guide to Determining Your Level
          • Understand your English level | British Council

English Proficiency Levels: A Guide to Determining Your Level

• By Matthew Jones

Language proficiency is difficult to measure, as everyone has different strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles. You may be able to tell the difference between a person who only speaks a few words in English and a native English speaker, but what about everyone in between? How can you determine your English level? And how many English proficiency levels are there?

Understanding English Levels with CEFR

The Common European Framework of References for Languages (CEFR) is an international standard for language ability and comprehension. This standard includes 6 distinct English levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2. Some institutions also recognize the pre-A1 level, though it is not as common. What do these designations actually mean about your English abilities?

All CEFR language levels were originally created by the Council of Europe in order to standardize language ability. These standards are used to determine language ability for speakers all over the world. Let’s take a closer look at each English level to see what they mean:

A1 – Beginner (Basic)

The A1 level refers to speakers who have a basic grasp of the English language. If you are at the A1 level, you can understand some common phrases and words in English. You can ask and answer simple questions (i.e. How old are you? Where do you live? What’s your favorite color?).

Your interactions will be relatively basic, and you may need other people to speak slowly with you in order to understand.

This level is common among those who have only been studying English for a short time (less than 6 months) or those who have not studied English for many years and do not practice regularly.

A2 – Beginner (Basic)

At the A2 level, you can speak in full sentences and phrases on simple topics. Your vocabulary covers a broader array of subjects than it did at the A1 level, but your interactions are still limited to direct exchanges of information.

You can likely have a full conversation about yourself and various parts of your life. While your listening comprehension has improved, you might still need others to speak slowly or repeat themselves from time to time.

This level is common among adults in their first year of study or those who have not studied English for many years.

B1 – Intermediate (Independent)

Once you reach B1 level English, your English abilities are at the “intermediate” level. This means that you can speak and understand English for matters related to your daily routine. You can also be much more descriptive about your life and experiences. Finally, you can talk (using relatively simple terms) about more abstract or subjective topics, like aspirations, dreams, or opinions.

This level is common among adults who have been continuously studying English for more than one year or those who have the opportunity to practice English on a semi-regular basis.

B2 – Intermediate (Independent)

The B2 level is often referred to as the “upper intermediate level.” As a B2 English speaker, you can take part in conversations on a variety of concrete and abstract topics. You may not know a lot of technical vocabulary, but you can still convey complex thoughts, explanations, experiences, or concepts with moderate accuracy.

This English proficiency level is common among adults who have been studying English for several years and practice regularly.

C1 – Advanced (Proficient)

Once you have reached the C2 level, you are considered an advanced student of the English language.

You now have a firmer grasp of more complex grammar structures, implicit meaning in both text and speech, as well as the ability to speak English fluently in almost any environment. Though you will naturally make some errors from time to time, they are likely small and infrequent.

In order to reach the C1 level, you will likely need to study English formally for several years and practice speaking or reading English on a regular basis. This level of English proficiency is common among those who have lived in an English-speaking country for an extended period of time.

C2 – Advanced (Proficient)

C2 is the highest assessment of all 6 CEFR levels.

At this level, you can understand the vast majority of English, spoken or written, that you encounter. Though you may make rare errors, your proficiency is near or equal to that of a native English speaker. You can understand the finer nuances of tone, pacing, and word choice, even in complex texts or situations.

C2 level speakers have likely been studying English for many years, practicing the language regularly or even on a daily basis with native speakers.

How to Determine your English Proficiency Level

Great! Now you know the 6 different English proficiency levels. But how can you determine your own English level? While the summaries above may give you a rough idea of where you are on a scale from A1 to C2, you’ll want to test your abilities in order to know for sure. You can easily check your English level with our free English speaking test.

Additionally, there are a number of free online resources and English proficiency tests to help you assess your English abilities:

• Cambridge English language proficiency test online
• Online English level test from British Council
• EFSET English proficiency test online

We recommend using more than one source to test yourself, as no single test will give you a perfect assessment. Learning how many words you know is yet another fun way to find out your English level.

IETLS, TOEFL, and CEFR

You can also gauge your English level by evaluating your scores on the IETLS or TOEFL. Here’s a helpful chart to see what your scores mean for your English level:

That being said, these tests are designed to give you a general idea of where you stand on the CEFR English scale. Once you know your English level, you will be in a better position to develop a study plan that is right for you!

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