Different Levels of English Proficiency Required to Work Abroad
Many students often wonder if their current English proficiency level is good enough to apply for a job abroad. Being able to work in a different country is one of the main incentives for people to learn English. This is largely due to a wider range of opportunities for professional growth, possibly including better pay.
If you’ve made it this far, you probably already know there are different levels of English proficiency. The level you need to reach before working abroad depends on the type of work you’re looking for. For example, some might be seeking more basic jobs, like being a driver or babysitter. In that case, A1 would be sufficient. But what is A1?
If you’re curious to know the ideal level you need to reach before being able to work abroad, continue reading below.
English Levels to Work Abroad
Your level refers to how far you’ve come in terms of mastering the language. These are the 3 levels, which we’ll later split into 2 sub-levels each:
- Basic
- Independent
- Proficieny
Basic is the first step to start speaking English. Then comes the independent level, focused on how to be confident while speaking English and how to improve your vocabulary. Lastly, the proficient level is the last step to become completely fluent in English.
Standardized English Levels to Work Abroad
Europe has its own Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for languages, which standardizes all the different levels based on the student’s speaking, listening, and writing skills.
This method has been used for decades in European countries, but other nations also use it to grade the different levels of English proficiency.
It’s a very important standard that provides teachers, schools, and businesses with a more accurate way to assess the student’s or employee’s oral and written communication skills.
Understanding CERF Proficiency Levels
Each level is split into two sub-levels as listed below. This is to help you understand which level you need to reach if you want to work abroad.
- A1 and A2 – Basic User
- B1 and B2 – Independent User
- C1 and C2 – Proficient User
A1
This level encompasses all basic English users who can communicate briefly, slowly, and only using simple expressions. Basically, anyone who can communicate in English with a certain level of difficulty.
A2
These users are also considered basic, but they can communicate fairly quickly in daily situations using common expressions.
The range of topics they can cover is usually limited to their personal life, including family, shopping, work, and home environment.
B1
Both B1 and B2 refer to independent speakers who are fluent enough in a language to be able to talk to native speakers without much difficulty. But there is a key difference between the two sub-levels.
B1 students can understand the key points in a conversation about current events at work, at school, during leisure time, among other topics. They can also understand much of what is being said on TV or radio shows, except when people mumble or talk too fast.
B2
As for B2 students, they’re able to understand longer conversations and lectures. They can also dive deeper into more complex topics, especially within their particular areas of interest.
C1
C1 students are considered proficient speakers. They should be able to perform complex work- or school-related roles using their oral or written communications skills.
They can easily understand any type of oral statement, whether in person or on video, at any pace and/or speed. They can also distinguish different registers and accents.
Which Level Do I Need to Work Abroad?
It depends on the position and the company you’re interested in applying for. However, a quick search for positions abroad on LinkedIn reveals that most companies are looking for applicants who have reached the B2 sub-level as a minimum.
That means companies aren’t necessarily looking for highly proficient applicants. Or course being a C1 or C2 student is preferable, but even B2 students will find many job opportunities abroad.
And it also depends on the kind of job you’re looking for. Companies offering minor positions are more likely to accept B1 and even A2 students.
Want to Know How to Improve Your English to Work Abroad?
If you’re interested in how to improve your English, how to improve your vocabulary, and how to learn English grammar, try Cambly! Just open the course platform and sign up for classes taught by native speakers and tailor-made to suit your needs.
