A2 English Level (Elementary)

At this level you can understand:

✓Frequently used expressions relating to areas of immediate relevance
✓Short, clear, simple messages and announcements
✓Straightforward factual texts on subjects of personal interest

A2 Elementary English Level

The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), a list of various language proficiency levels created by the Council of Europe, lists English at level A2, which is the second level of English. This level could be referred to as "basic" in common conversation, as in "I speak basic English." It is the foundation. The term "elementary" is used as the official level description in the CEFR. At this level, students are proficient in the fundamentals of English and are able to express straightforward requirements.

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English CEFR Levels A1 to C2 — six-step scale

What can you achieve with an A2 level English?

With an A2 level of English, you can comfortably engage in tourism activities in English-speaking countries and have basic social interactions with English speakers. However, this level is not enough to form deeper friendships. You can network with English-speaking colleagues, but your ability to work in English is limited to very familiar topics. An A2 level is also insufficient for academic studies or for understanding most English-language media, such as TV shows, movies, radio, and magazines.

According to the official CEFR guidelines, someone at the A2 level in English:

Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of experience that are particularly relevant to him/her (basic information about him/herself and his/her family, shopping, places of interest, occupations, etc.)

Can communicate in simple, everyday tasks that require only simple and direct exchanges of information on familiar or routine matters

Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background and environment, as well as issues related to his/her immediate needs

English for A2 Level

At the A2 level students are beginning to be able to function in social situations. They are able to use simple everyday polite forms of greeting and address; greet people, ask how they are and react to news; handle very short social exchanges; ask and answer questions about what they do at work and in their free time; make and respond to invitations; discuss what to do, where to go and make arrangements to meet; make and accept offers.

Global Students at this level can understand sentences and frequently-used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). They can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.

What is A2 Level English?

A2 level learners can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance. They can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. They can describe in simple terms aspects of their background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.

What are the A2 Level Skills?

✓Understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of immediate relevance
✓Communicate in simple, routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar matters
✓Describe in simple terms aspects of your background, immediate environment, and matters of immediate need

What will I be able to do after completing A2 English Level?

Comprehension

Listening Comprehension

✓Understand phrases and the highest frequency vocabulary related to areas of most immediate personal relevance
✓Catch the main point in short, clear, simple messages and announcements

Reading Comprehension

✓Read very short, simple texts
✓Find specific, predictable information in simple everyday material

Speaking

Oral Interaction

✓Communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar topics
✓Handle very short social exchanges even though not usually able to understand enough to keep the conversation going independently

Oral Expression

✓Use a series of phrases and sentences to describe in simple terms family and other people, living conditions, educational background and present or most recent job

Writing

Written Expression

✓Write short, simple notes and messages relating to matters in areas of immediate need
✓Write a very simple personal letter

A2 Listening

Students can understand phrases and vocabulary relating to areas of most immediate personal relevance and can catch the main point in short, clear, simple messages and announcements.

A2 Reading

Students can read very short, simple texts and find specific predictable information in simple everyday material such as advertisements, prospectuses, menus and timetables.

A2 Speaking

Students can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar topics and activities. They can handle very short social exchanges, even though they usually cannot understand enough to keep the conversation going independently.

A2 Writing

Students can write short, simple notes and messages. They can write a very simple personal letter, for example thanking someone for something.

A2 Grammar

Present Simple and ContinuousPast SimpleFuture (going to)ArticlesPlurals (regular and irregular)Comparatives and superlativesPossessivesPrepositions of time and placeModal verbs (can, could, would)Questions formsFrequency adverbsObject pronounsConjunctions (and, but, because)

A2 Vocabulary

A2 vocabulary covers everyday topics such as shopping, family, work, and travel. Learners can use common phrases in familiar contexts and begin to express opinions on simple topics.

Details of A2 level English proficiency

An English learner at the A2 level will be able to:

Introduce themselves and talk about their family and background.
Handle simple transactions in shops and restaurants.
Ask for and give directions.
Talk about past events and future plans.
Understand simple written instructions.
Write simple messages and emails.
Students can anticipate reaching the A2 level in English with 100 to 120 hours of teaching, though progress will vary depending on the type of course and the particular student.

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What are your options if you have an English A2 level?

An A2 level of English is enough for basic social interactions, simple workplace conversations on familiar topics, and elementary travel needs. It is not yet sufficient for academic study, professional work in English, or fluent media consumption.

The official CEFR rules state that someone with an English language proficiency of A2:

·Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance, such as basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, and employment.
·Can communicate in simple, routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar topics.
·Can describe in simple terms aspects of background, immediate environment, and matters in areas of immediate need.

What can A2 English level do?

At the A2 English level (Elementary), learners can go beyond very basic communication and handle a wider range of everyday situations:

Engage in simple social interactions — greetings, introductions, short conversations about familiar topics. Handle basic transactions in shops, post offices, and banks. Ask for and give directions. Discuss past events and future plans in simple terms. Talk about work, family, hobbies, and interests using common vocabulary. Understand simple announcements and short messages.

An A2 CEFR certificate from International English Test is recognised by employers and educational institutions as proof of elementary English proficiency — useful for entry-level roles and basic academic requirements.

What can A2 English level read?

A2 learners can read simple texts on familiar topics with reasonable confidence:

Short personal letters and simple emails. Everyday written material — menus, timetables, advertisements, and prospectuses. Simple newspaper headlines and basic factual articles on familiar subjects. Short descriptions of places, people, and events. Basic instructions and simple forms.

The IET A2 English certificate verifies this reading ability alongside grammar and vocabulary, giving you a portable CEFR credential for your CV, LinkedIn, or visa application.

A2 English Level (Elementary) Speaking Skills

A2 speakers can communicate in routine situations with reasonable clarity:

Handle short social exchanges — how are you, making plans, responding to invitations. Describe their background, family, work, and daily routine in simple terms. Make and respond to simple requests and offers. Participate in basic conversations on familiar topics — shopping, travel, food, work. Give simple directions and instructions. Express opinions using basic phrases.

The IET English Speaking Certificate™ assesses A2-level speaking across pronunciation, intonation, fluency, grammar, and vocabulary — with AI-powered evaluation and an instant CEFR-aligned result.

How can I develop A2 English level language skills?

Progressing from A2 to B1 typically requires 100–120 hours of focused study. Key strategies:

Expand vocabulary to cover work, travel, health, and social topics (aim for 800–1,000 words). Read graded readers at A2–B1 level and simple news articles. Watch TV shows and films with English subtitles — start with short, slow-paced content. Practice writing short texts — emails, messages, and simple descriptions. Speak with language partners or in structured conversation classes. Use the IET English Level Test to benchmark your progress with an official CEFR score.

What are A2 English Level Daily Idioms?

At A2, learners begin encountering more idiomatic expressions in natural English. Common A2-level idioms:

"Take it easy" — relax or slow down. "No problem" — you are welcome / it is fine. "Just a moment" — wait briefly. "What's up?" — informal greeting. "I have no idea" — I don't know. "Of course" — certainly / definitely. "By the way" — used to introduce a new topic.

Exposure to idioms at A2 level builds the foundation for understanding natural spoken English. As proficiency increases to B1 and B2, idiomatic language becomes more central to fluency.

How many words should you know for A2 Level English?

A2 learners typically know around 800–1,000 words, covering a wider range of everyday topics than A1:

Daily activities and routines. Work and school vocabulary. Travel and transport. Food, health, and body. Basic emotions and opinions. Shopping, services, and transactions. Weather and environment.

The IET English Level Test assesses your vocabulary range as part of a full CEFR evaluation. Knowing where you stand helps you plan your study path — from A2 to B1, B2, and beyond.

FAQ

FAQ: A2 English Level

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A2 (Elementary) is the second level on the CEFR scale. At A2, you can understand frequently used expressions on familiar topics, communicate in simple routine tasks, and describe your background and immediate environment in simple terms.

A2 is sufficient for very basic roles involving limited English communication. Most professional positions require B1 or higher. The IET English Level Test helps you measure your current level and target the right certificate for your goals.

Most learners progress from A1 to A2 with approximately 100–120 additional hours of study. Regular practice across listening, reading, speaking, and writing accelerates progress.

Some visa categories accept A2-level evidence. The IET A2 certificate is CEFR-aligned and issued by International English Test, an ALTE Associate Member — making it suitable for official purposes in many contexts.

A1 covers only the most basic everyday expressions. A2 extends to frequently used expressions on familiar topics, simple social interactions, and basic descriptions of background and environment — a significant step towards independent use.

Take the International English Test online — 60 questions, 30 minutes. If your score corresponds to A2, you receive an instant CEFR-aligned A2 certificate, downloadable as PDF and shareable on LinkedIn.

A2 grammar includes past simple, present perfect basics, future with 'going to', comparatives and superlatives, modal verbs (can, could, would), prepositions of time and place, and object pronouns.

The IET A2 English Level Certificate costs £12.99 — including the test, your CEFR result, and an instant downloadable PDF certificate with verification code and QR code.