A2 English level: what you can say, and how to move up to B1

A2 is “elementary”, the second of six CEFR levels. In speaking, it means you can handle simple, everyday exchanges: talk about yourself, your family and your work, shop, order food and ask for directions, using short sentences. Here is what A2 sounds like, with an A1 and an A2 answer side by side, the situations to master, and how to reach B1.

By The YoFluent teamUpdated 7 min read

The YoFluent cat giving a thumbs up next to the title: A2 English level
On this page
  1. What A2 means in speaking
  2. A1 vs A2: the same question, two answers
  3. 10 everyday situations to master at A2
  4. A 6-question self-check
  5. How to move from A2 to B1
  6. FAQ
  7. Sources

What A2 means in speaking

At A2 you can…Example
Describe yourself and your life“I live in a small flat with my sister. I work in a bank. On weekends I play football.”
Talk about the past simply“Last summer I went to the beach with my family. It was very hot.”
Handle routine tasksOrder food, buy a ticket, ask the price, book a room, ask for directions.
Ask and answer simple questions“What do you do?” “Where are you from?” “Do you like your job?”
Understand slow, clear speechFollow short announcements and simple conversations about familiar things.
Make plans“Are you free on Saturday? Let’s meet at the café at ten.”

This paraphrases the CEFR description of A2. See all six CEFR levels explained for the full scale, and B1 English level for the next step.

A1 vs A2: the same question, two answers

Question: “What did you do last weekend?”

A1 answerA2 answer
“Weekend… I go shopping. Shopping and… family. Is good.”“On Saturday I went shopping with my mother. We bought some clothes and had lunch in a restaurant. On Sunday I stayed at home and watched a film. It was relaxing.”

The A2 answer is still simple, but it uses the past tense (went, bought, stayed), full sentences, time words (on Saturday, on Sunday) and a short opinion (it was relaxing). That is the A2 jump: from words to sentences.

10 everyday situations to master at A2

A2 is the “survival” level. If you can do these ten things in English, you are speaking at A2:

  1. Introduce yourself: name, origin, job, family, hobbies.
  2. Describe your daily routine: “I get up at seven…”.
  3. Order food and drinks and ask for the bill.
  4. Shop: ask for sizes, prices and colours.
  5. Ask for and understand simple directions.
  6. Buy a ticket and ask about times.
  7. Make, accept and refuse an invitation.
  8. Talk about last weekend or your last holiday.
  9. Describe your home, town or a person.
  10. Explain a simple problem: “My room is cold. The heating doesn’t work.”

For ready-made dialogues, see short English conversations and daily English sentences.

A 6-question self-check

  1. Can you introduce yourself for 30 seconds without notes?
  2. Can you say what you did yesterday in three or four sentences?
  3. Can you order a meal and ask a question about the menu?
  4. Can you ask for directions and understand a simple answer?
  5. Can you understand someone who speaks slowly and clearly about everyday things?
  6. Can you make a plan with a friend: day, time and place?

Five or six yes answers suggest A2. If most answers are yes and you can also give reasons (“because…”), you may be close to B1. For an estimate, try the free English level test.

How to move from A2 to B1

Cambridge English guidance suggests about 350–400 guided hours from zero to B1, so roughly 150–200 more hours from A2. See how long it takes to learn English. The difference between A2 and B1 is mostly about connecting sentences and explaining:

At A2 you sayAt B1 you add
“I like my job.”“I like my job because my colleagues are friendly, but the hours are long.”
“I went to Spain.”“I went to Spain last year. The food was amazing, and I want to go back.”
“I don’t know.”“I’m not sure, but I think…”
  • Add “because”, “but” and “so” to every answer.
  • Speak out loud every day, even for ten minutes. Read daily sentences aloud, then say them without looking.
  • Learn whole phrases, not single words: daily English vocabulary.
  • Have short conversations with a patient partner or an AI tutor that slows down for you.

Frequently asked questions

What is A2 level English?

A2 is elementary English on the CEFR scale. At A2 you can understand frequently used expressions about everyday life, communicate in simple and routine tasks, and describe your background and immediate needs in simple terms.

Is A2 English good?

A2 is a basic but useful level. You can travel, shop, order food and have simple conversations about yourself. For work or study in English you usually need B1 or B2.

What is the difference between A1 and A2?

At A1 you use single words and memorised phrases. At A2 you speak in full simple sentences, talk about the past, and handle everyday situations like shopping, ordering food and asking for directions.

What exam shows A2 English?

Cambridge A2 Key is designed for A2. IELTS is not designed for this level. TOEIC Listening and Reading maps A2 to a total of about 225 and TOEFL ITP to about 337 (ETS mapping studies).

How long does it take to go from A2 to B1?

Cambridge English guidance suggests about 150 to 200 more guided hours. At one hour a day that is roughly five to seven months, faster if you speak and listen a lot outside class.

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Sources

  1. A2 Elementary, British Council LearnEnglish
  2. Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), Council of Europe
  3. Guided learning hours, Cambridge English
  4. Mapping the TOEIC tests on the CEFR, ETS