TESOL/English proficiency levels

Beginner
This stage involves building fluency with essential, everyday English. There is a basic stock of about 2000 words that the student must practice using until they can use fluently. The student must gain a number of stock phrases, and must be able to make questions.

In practical terms, this student aims to be able to survive in an English-speaking environment.

Resources: Category:Beginner English

Intermediate
This stage involves learning to navigate more complicated situations like apologies, negotiations over price and so on, or giving an opinion or disagreeing politely. At this stage fluency in basic English is not a problem but students need support with more complicated grammar like past participles or new uses of familiar structures.

In practical terms, this student aims to be comfortable in a variety of everyday situations in an English-speaking environment.

Resources: Category:Intermediate English

Advanced
This stage involves developing control of language so that a student can moderate the level of politeness or strength of their language appropriate to the situation. The student should be able to judge the meanings of unknown words from context or by analogy with previously learned language. At this stage students can start practicing using English in formal situations like meetings at work or formal ceremonies like weddings. Their vocabulary should include not just everyday English but vocabulary usually used in writing. This student should understand common idioms and be able to manipulate them.

In practical terms, this student aims to be able to participate and take an active role in a business meeting by volunteering ideas, explaining their logic, and politely agreeing and disagreeing with colleagues.

Resources: Category:Advanced English