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CEFR A1 · BEGINNER

English at A1, the beginner level.

A1 is the first step on the CEFR scale: introduce yourself and understand slow, clear speech.

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Can-do lines from the Council of Europe's own grid

CEFR A1, Beginner

Band A · Basic user

active words
~500
guided hours from zero
90–100

The words are a typical estimate and the hours a commonly cited range, not a Carna measurement.

The step, with its neighbours

  1. A1, Beginner: 90–100 guided hours
  2. A2, Elementary: 180–200 guided hours
  3. B1, Intermediate: 350–400 guided hours
Next: A2 · Elementary

— WHAT YOU CAN DO

What A1 lets you do.

The CEFR describes A1 in “can-do” terms: what you are able to do with the language in each mode, not what you know about it. These lines follow the Council of Europe's self-assessment grid.

  1. Listening

    Recognise familiar words and very basic phrases about yourself, your family and your surroundings when people speak slowly and clearly.

  2. Reading

    Understand familiar names, words and very simple sentences, for example on notices and posters or in catalogues.

  3. Speaking

    Introduce yourself, ask and answer simple questions about where you live, people you know and things you have, and interact in a simple way when the other person speaks slowly and is ready to help.

  4. Writing

    Write a short, simple postcard, and fill in forms with personal details: your name, nationality and address.

— WHERE A1 SITS

A1 on the scale.

Each bar is the commonly cited guided-hour range to reach a level, counted from zero, so every level includes the hours before it. A1 keeps its colour; open any step for its guide.

Guided learning hours to reach each level, cumulative
  1. A1, Beginner: 90–100 guided hours
  2. A2, Elementary: 180–200 guided hours
  3. B1, Intermediate: 350–400 guided hours
  4. B2, Upper-Intermediate: 500–600 guided hours
  5. C1, Advanced: 700–800 guided hours
  6. C2, Proficient: 1,000+ guided hours

Commonly cited guided-learning-hour ranges, not a Carna measurement. Open a level for what it means in practice.

— IN CARNA TODAY

The same scale, on the screen.

Carna for Schools runs on the CEFR scale today: assigned work shows its level on the card, and so do the books in the student's library. The individual tutor is in early access.

  • CARNA FOR SCHOOLS · LIVE TODAY

    Every card names its level.

    A student's Learn screen lists what the teacher assigned, soonest due first, each module with its CEFR level on the cover.

    A student's Learn screen in Carna for Schools. Carna School London is a sample school; the courses, levels and dates are demo data.

  • CARNA FOR SCHOOLS · LIVE TODAY

    Books with their level on the cover.

    The readers a school publishes carry their CEFR level on the cover, so reading practice can stay at the rung a student is on.

    A student's Library in Carna for Schools. Carna School London is a sample school; the books and levels are demo data.

Book a demo See Carna for Schools

— FIND YOUR LEVEL

Not sure where you stand?

A placement test scores each skill separately, because reading and speaking are rarely at the same level. Carna Test is the assessment platform from Carna, on its own site.

Also from Carna

Carna Test

A three-section placement test (CPT) and a five-section adaptive test with speaking and writing (CAET), on carnatest.com.

Find your level on carnatest.com (opens in a new tab)

FAQ

Questions about A1.

How long it takes, what it lets you do, and how A1 compares.

How long does it take to reach A1?

Starting from no English, A1 typically takes around 90 to 100 guided learning hours. How many calendar weeks that is depends on how often you study: a few hours a week reaches it within a school term or two.

What can I do at A1 level?

At A1 you can introduce yourself, ask and answer simple personal questions, understand slow and clear speech, and use basic everyday phrases for immediate needs.

Is A1 the lowest English level?

A1 is the lowest level on the CEFR scale. A complete beginner with no prior English is sometimes labelled A0, the starting point before A1.

EARLY ACCESS

Want this level taught?

Carna's personal tutor is still on its way, so there is no individual sign-up yet. Join the early-access list and we will write to you when it opens. Schools and teams run on Carna today.

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