Is B1 English level enough?
However, a B1 level is not adequate to function fully in the workplace in English. According to the official CEFR guidelines, someone at the B1 level in English: Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
The B1 level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is also known as intermediate. Having this level means that you can function efficiently in professional, academic, or everyday situations in an English-speaking country.
Passing the B1 writing exam is not an easy task. You need advanced preparations to successfully complete this English test. Languages are the most complex subjects. You need lots of patience and practice to learn a new language.
Skills at B1 English level (intermediate)
They can manage most situations on a trip to places where English is used. They can produce simple, organised texts about familiar topics. They can describe experiences, events, wishes and aspirations, and explain opinions and plans.
Level B1 corresponds to independent users of the language, i.e. those who have the necessary fluency to communicate without effort with native speakers.
B1 ENGLISH TEST TOPICS – THE IELTS LIFE SKILLS TEST
You can take this exam in many parts of the world. The result is either pass or fail. If you receive a fail, then you cannot use the test result in your application for a visa.
Some recognised test qualifications only last for 2 years. You can still use a B1 level qualification that you took more than 2 years ago in 2 situations.
B1 Preliminary – Level B1
If you achieve a scale score of 140–159 (Pass, Pass with Merit) in your exam, you will receive the Preliminary English Test certificate at Level B1.
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B1 Level
- Understand and use basic grammar structures.
- Use a range of vocabulary items with some precision to communicate effectively on a range of topics.
- Produce simple connected texts on topics which are familiar or of personal interest.
Between the PTE and the TOEFL test, the PTE has more sections that are specifically gauged towards measuring speaking and also the items are easier compared to that of the TOEFL test. Bear in mind that the TOEFL speaking is an integrated one. So the winner for the speaking section is the PTE test.
What percentage do you need to pass B1?
The minimum score to pass Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET) is 140 points (70%).
CEFR level | Cambridge English exam | Juniors (age 5-10) |
---|---|---|
B1 | PET for Schools | |
High Flyers | ||
A2 | Flyers | Flyers |
Movers | Movers B |

Level B1: Intermediate
At B1, you're getting more comfortable. You now have a working knowledge of around 2500 words total, maybe half of which you can recall and use pretty quickly. This makes conversations much more fluid generally.
On average it will take 18 months (6 courses of 10 weeks each) to reach B1 level. B1 is an intermediate level where you can converse comfortably on most everyday topics.
As you go up the levels, you need more hours to get to the next one. To get from A1 to A2, it typically requires 100-150 hours of guided learning, but it can take 180-260 hours to get from B1 to B2.
B1 English (Intermediate)
Level B1 corresponds to users who can understand and produce text on familiar topics and give opinions and descriptions.
What level is fluent English? Basic fluency is typically considered to begin at the B2 level, with complete mastery of the language achieved at the C2 level.
Anglo-Link rank | CEFR* | TOEFL iBT |
---|---|---|
Elementary | A2 | 20 - 31 |
Intermediate | B1 | 32 - 45 |
Advanced | B2 | 46 – 93 |
Fluent | C1 | 94 – 114 |
- A two hour wait. My exam lasted from 9.00am to 4.00pm; others last longer or a little bit less depending on when their speaking section occurs. ...
- Sit plenty of test exams. ...
- Speaking practice is the key. ...
- Challenging but worthwhile.
Make sure you allow yourself enough time to study for the exam, do not wait until the last minute because it might be too late and you might fail to present the certificate when necessary. – 10-14 weeks to learn English and prepare for B1 SELT ISE I (A2/B1 level student).
What is the best topic for B1 test?
The speaking topics for B1 ESOL Exams are the kind of things people talk about in everyday life. These topics typically include: Home, Family and Friends, Work and School, Likes and Dislikes and Weather.
Nonetheless, the US B1/B2 visa offers one of the simplest options for visiting the United States for business or tourism purposes. The B1/B2 Visa is an important requirement for many travelers wishing to enter the U.S. Luckily, everyone is eligible to apply for it in the easiest way possible using iVisa.
A person applying for settlement as a partner, parent or dependent child aged over 18 may be exempt from meeting the required (B1) level of English language ability. To be eligible for this exemption the applicant must meet all of the following: have spent a continuous period of 15 years in the UK with valid permission.
The B1 English test is a one to one speaking and listening test that will last 10 minutes and consists of two separate parts. The first portion will include the topic section where you must choose a topic to prepare before you take the test.
Marks and Grades
The pass mark is 40% and it is relatively unusual for students to regularly achieve marks of 70% or above (in fact, only 10% of students receive marks this high).
Students achieving marks between 95 to 100 will be graded as A1, 90 to 95 as A2. Grade for marks between 80 to 89 is B1, 70 to 79 is B2, 60 to 69 is B3, 50 to 59 is C1, 40 to 49 is C2, 33 to 39 is C3. Marks below 33 will be graded as E which means needs improvement.
A B1 Preliminary qualification shows that you have mastered the basics of English and now have practical language skills for everyday use. This exam is the logical step in your language learning journey between A2 Key and B2 First.
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How long does it take to learn English?
Level of English (CEFR) | Number of hours of instruction |
---|---|
A2 to B1 | 300 hours |
B1 to B2 | 200 hours |
B2 to C1 | 200 hours |
C1 to C2 | 200 hours |
To move from level B1 to level C1, learners need to be able to understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning. They should also be able to express themselves fluently and spontaneously without having to search for words all the time.
- Watch movies in English. ...
- Immerse yourself in English language news. ...
- Start a vocabulary book of useful words. ...
- Have conversations in English. ...
- Practice, practice, practice. ...
- Curiosity doesn't always kill the cat. ...
- Don't forget to have fun while you learn.
Which English test is the most accepted?
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is probably the best-known and most commonly used English proficiency test. Along with the IELTS, it is one of the two tests that are usually accepted by American universities.
- Gaokao. ...
- IIT-JEE. ...
- UPSC. ...
- Mensa. ...
- GRE (Graduate Record Examination) ...
- CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) ...
- CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert) ...
- GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, India)
B1 –> for 71 to 80 marks ( grade point is 8 ) 4. B2 –> for 61 to 70 marks ( grade point is 7) 5. C1 –> for 51 to 60 marks ( grade point is 6)
- Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
- Settlement/Permanent Residency.
- British Citizenship (Naturalisation)
What can a B1 speaker do? At the B1 CEFR level, a language learner can: Understand points regarding family, work, school or leisure-related topics. Deal with most travel situations in areas where the language is spoken. Create simple texts on topics of personal interest.
Most adult native test-takers have a vocabulary range of about 20,000-35,000 words. Adult native test-takers learn almost 1 new word a day until middle age.
At Duolingo, we're developing our courses to get you to a level called B2, at which you can get a job in the language you're studying. Reaching that kind of proficiency requires dedication, varied practice opportunities, and a lot of time.
By reaching the end of Unit 5, Duolingo learners have completed all the lessons in the beginner sections of our courses, called A1 and A2, and are starting intermediate B1 material.
- Spanish. Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language after Mandarin, and not a surprise at the top of languages to learn. ...
- German. ...
- Arabic. ...
- Mandarin. ...
- Portuguese. ...
- Russian. ...
- French.
- Frisian. Frisian is thought to be one of the languages most closely related to English, and therefore also the easiest for English-speakers to pick up. ...
- Dutch. ...
- Norwegian. ...
- Spanish. ...
- Portuguese. ...
- Italian. ...
- French. ...
- Swedish.
Can I be fluent in English in 3 months?
You will not be able to speak English perfectly after 3 months. But, it's likely you won't speak English perfectly after 3 years, or even 30 years, either. After 3 months, you should expect to make mistakes, but you should be confident that you will be understood.
Those who know 1,000 to 3,000 words can carry on everyday conversations. Knowing 4,000 to 10,000 words makes people advanced language users while knowing more than 10,000 words puts them at the fluent or native-speaker levels.
Across multiple sources, Mandarin Chinese is the number one language listed as the most challenging to learn. The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center puts Mandarin in Category IV, which is the list of the most difficult languages to learn for English speakers.
As you go up the levels, you need more hours to get to the next one. To get from A1 to A2, it typically requires 100-150 hours of guided learning, but it can take 180-260 hours to get from B1 to B2.
What level is fluent English? Basic fluency is typically considered to begin at the B2 level, with complete mastery of the language achieved at the C2 level.
C1 and C2 are the proficient levels. To increase from B1 to B2, you need to be able to understand more complex grammar structures and vocabulary, and be able to use them correctly in spoken and written English. You will also need to be able to communicate more confidently and fluently.
The best way to achieve a C1 level is to have more practice, mainly in the 4 core areas of English - listening, speaking. reading and writing. Afterwards, taking a comprehensive English test can help you assess how much you have improved.
Are you a learner at B1 English level (intermediate)? This section offers reading practice to help you understand texts with everyday or job-related language. Texts include articles, travel guides, emails, adverts and reviews.
Complete immersion is the key to mastering English in as little as six months. Listen to radio programs and videos in English and read English text. Through total immersion, you can learn to speak English in a few weeks, and you will become proficient in six months or less. Remember, total immersion means just that.
By reaching the end of Unit 5, Duolingo learners have completed all the lessons in the beginner sections of our courses, called A1 and A2, and are starting intermediate B1 material.
How long is B1 English valid?
You can use a B1 level qualification taken more than 2 years ago if you are applying for citizenship and the qualification was accepted when you settled in the UK. You can use a B1 level qualification taken more than two years ago if both of the following are true: it's on the current list of recognised tests.
If you're super focused, and you have a lot of free time to study, you could probably reach fluency in about six months if you're studying around 5 hours a day. Remember: this is just rough math, and every learner is different! It's not secret that most of us live very busy lives!
References
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