B1 English Level (Intermediate)

At this level you can understand:

✓The main points of clear standard input on familiar matters
✓Most situations likely to arise while travelling
✓Simple connected text on familiar topics

B1 Intermediate English Level

The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), a list of various language proficiency levels created by the Council of Europe, places English at level B1, which is the third level of English. This level is commonly referred to as "intermediate," which is also the level descriptor used by the CEFR. Students at this level have advanced beyond the fundamentals, but they are still unable to work or study in English only.

Test your B1 English level →

English CEFR Levels A1 to C2 — six-step scale

Achieving CEFR Level B1

At level B1 students are able to maintain interaction and get across what they want to express in a range of contexts and follow the main points of extended discussion around them, provided that speech is clearly articulated in standard dialect. They can express the main point they want to make comprehensibly and keep going comprehensibly, even though they may have to pause for grammatical and lexical planning and repair, especially in longer stretches of free production.

The second feature is the ability to cope flexibly with problems in everyday life, for example coping with less routine situations on public transport; dealing with most situations likely to arise when making travel arrangements through an agent or when actually travelling; entering unprepared into conversations on familiar topics.

What is B1 Level English?

B1 learners can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. They can deal with most situations likely to arise while travelling in an area where English is spoken. They can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest and describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions.

What are the B1 Level Skills?

✓Understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters in work, school, and leisure
✓Deal with most situations likely to arise while travelling in an area where English is spoken
✓Produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest, and describe experiences and events

What will I be able to do after completing B1 English Level?

Comprehension

Listening Comprehension

✓Understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
✓Understand the main point of many radio or TV programmes on current affairs or topics of personal or professional interest when the delivery is relatively slow and clear

Reading Comprehension

✓Understand texts that consist mainly of high frequency everyday or job-related language
✓Understand the description of events, feelings and wishes in personal letters

Speaking

Oral Interaction

✓Deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken
✓Enter unprepared into conversation on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life

Oral Expression

✓Connect phrases in a simple way in order to describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions
✓Briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans

Writing

Written Expression

✓Write simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest
✓Write personal letters describing experiences and impressions

B1 Listening

Students can understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters and the main point of many radio or TV programmes when the delivery is relatively slow and clear.

B1 Reading

Students can understand texts that consist mainly of high frequency everyday or job-related language and the description of events, feelings and wishes in personal letters.

B1 Speaking

Students can deal with most situations likely to arise while travelling. They can enter unprepared into conversation on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life.

B1 Writing

Students can write simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. They can write personal letters describing experiences and impressions.

B1 Grammar

Present Perfect Simple and ContinuousPast ContinuousUsed to / WouldFuture forms (will, going to, present continuous)First ConditionalSecond ConditionalPassive Voice (present and past)Reported Speech (statements)Relative Clauses (defining)Modal Verbs (must, should, might, may)Gerunds and Infinitives (basic)Comparative and superlative formsQuestion tags

B1 Vocabulary

B1 vocabulary covers a wide range of everyday topics including travel, work, health, and current events. Learners can express opinions and describe experiences with reasonable accuracy.

Details of B1 level English proficiency

An English learner at the B1 level will be able to:

Follow the main points of extended discussion around them, provided speech is clearly articulated.
Give or seek personal views and opinions in an informal discussion.
Explain why something is a problem and discuss what to do next.
Understand straightforward factual information about common everyday topics.
Write a simple essay on a topic of personal interest.
Write simple formal letters requesting information.

Test your B1 English level →

What are your options if you have an English B1 level?

A B1 level of English is sufficient for general workplace communication, travelling independently in English-speaking countries, and following basic academic content. It is the threshold of independent English use, though advanced study and complex professional roles still require higher proficiency.

The official CEFR rules state that someone with an English language proficiency of B1:

·Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, and similar contexts.
·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, and describe experiences, events, dreams, hopes, and ambitions.

What can B1 English level do?

At the B1 English level (Intermediate), learners cross the threshold of independent English use. B1 speakers can:

Deal with most situations likely to arise while travelling in an English-speaking country — booking accommodation, asking for help, navigating public transport. Engage in conversation on familiar topics such as work, family, hobbies, current events, and personal interests. Describe experiences, events, dreams, hopes, and ambitions. Briefly justify and explain opinions and plans. Follow the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters. Write simple connected text on topics of personal interest.

The IET B1 English Level Certificate confirms intermediate proficiency — a widely recognised benchmark for general workplace communication, travel, and entry-level academic study. Issued instantly after the test, with CEFR-aligned scoring and a unique verification code.

What can B1 English level read?

B1 readers handle a wider range of texts on familiar and current topics:

Newspaper and magazine articles on familiar subjects. Personal letters and emails describing events, feelings, and wishes. Job-related texts — instructions, reports, and basic professional correspondence. Simple novels, short stories, and graded readers at intermediate level. Advertisements, brochures, and product descriptions. Online content — blog posts, social media, and informational websites.

The IET English Level Test assesses reading comprehension at every CEFR band — from simple A1 texts through to demanding C2 literature — giving you a precise placement and an instant downloadable certificate.

B1 English Level (Intermediate) Speaking Skills

B1 speakers communicate with reasonable fluency on familiar topics:

Enter unprepared into conversation on topics that are familiar, of personal interest, or pertinent to everyday life. Maintain interaction across a range of contexts, even if pausing for grammatical and lexical planning. Express opinions and give reasons and explanations. Describe experiences, dreams, hopes, and ambitions. Handle most travel situations and routine workplace conversations. Make and respond to invitations, suggestions, and apologies.

The IET English Speaking Certificate™ uses AI-powered evaluation across pronunciation, intonation, fluency, grammar, and vocabulary — providing an instant CEFR-aligned speaking result you can add to your CV or LinkedIn.

How can I develop B1 English level language skills?

Progressing from B1 to B2 typically requires 150–200 hours of focused study. Effective strategies:

Expand vocabulary to 1,500–2,500 words covering work, study, current affairs, and abstract topics. Read intermediate-level books, news articles, and online publications. Watch TV series and films with English subtitles, then without. Practice writing essays, reports, and structured emails. Engage in regular conversation — language exchange, discussion groups, professional contexts in English. Use the IET English Level Test to verify your progress with an official CEFR certificate.

What are B1 English Level Daily Idioms?

At B1, learners encounter idiomatic English regularly. Common B1 idioms:

"It rings a bell" — sounds familiar. "On the same page" — in agreement. "To get the hang of it" — to learn how to do something. "Once in a blue moon" — very rarely. "Hit the nail on the head" — say exactly the right thing. "Pull yourself together" — calm down and focus. "Better late than never" — being late is better than not coming at all.

Idiomatic competence is one of the markers that distinguishes B1 from A2 — and is essential for progressing towards B2 and C1, where natural expression becomes increasingly important.

How many words should you know for B1 Level English?

B1 learners typically know around 1,500–2,500 words. This vocabulary covers:

Work and professional life — meetings, emails, projects. Travel and accommodation. Health, wellbeing, and lifestyle. News and current events. Education and study. Opinions, preferences, and abstract concepts. Common phrasal verbs and collocations.

The IET English Level Test evaluates your vocabulary range and places you accurately on the CEFR scale. Knowing your level helps you target the right resources and progress efficiently to B2 and beyond.

FAQ

FAQ: B1 English Level

Can't find what you're looking for? Our team replies within a few hours.

Contact support→

B1 (Intermediate) is the third level on the CEFR scale and the threshold of independent English use. At B1, you can deal with most travel situations, follow the main points of clear standard speech, and produce simple connected text on familiar topics.

B1 is generally not sufficient for full university study in English. Most universities require B2 or higher. The IET English Level Test helps you measure your level and identify how much further you need to progress.

Typically 150–200 hours of focused study. Progress depends on your native language, learning style, and exposure to English in everyday life.

B1 is sufficient for general workplace communication, customer service, and roles with limited English requirements. Senior or specialised roles usually require B2 or above. The IET B1 certificate verifies your intermediate proficiency for employers.

B1 covers familiar and routine topics with reasonable fluency. B2 extends to complex texts on concrete and abstract subjects, fluent interaction with native speakers, and clear, detailed writing on a wide range of topics.

Yes. International English Test issues a CEFR-aligned B1 English Level Certificate immediately after you complete the online test. Includes your name, CEFR level, verification code, and QR code for employer verification.

B1 grammar covers present perfect (simple and continuous), past continuous, used to / would, future forms, first and second conditional, passive voice, reported speech (statements), defining relative clauses, and modal verbs (must, should, might, may).

The IET B1 English Level Certificate costs £12.99 — including the test, your CEFR result, and an instant downloadable PDF certificate with verification code and QR code.