From “My name is” to your first independent trip: Your new superpowers after Elementary level
Introduction: When English stops being just a collection of words
Do you remember that feeling when you know a hundred English words but can't put them into a simple sentence? When “cat,” “dog,” and “London” are running through your head, but when a tourist asks you a question, you just smile awkwardly? This is a starting point that many people know. It seems that there is an invisible wall between you and the world of English.
But there comes a point when this wall begins to crumble. It doesn't happen all of a sudden, but it's a feeling you can't mistake for anything else. This is the moment when the language turns from a set of rules and words in a textbook into a living instrument. This magical stage is called the Elementary level. Experts use the terms A1 or A2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), but the point is not in the name. It's about transformation: you move from passive knowledge to active use of the language for communication, travel, and discovery.
Elementary level is your ignition key. It is the foundation on which you will build your skyscraper of fluency. Let's take a look into your near future and see what amazing doors the completion of this stage will open for you.
Your voice in a new world: speaking, asking, interacting
The greatest desire of every language learner is to start speaking. And it is at the Elementary level that your dreams begin to come true. It's no longer just memorized phrases like “My name is...” or “London is the capital of Great Britain”. This is the beginning of your personal story in English.
You will be able to not only introduce yourself, but also talk about yourself, your family, work and hobbies using simple but confident sentences. And all this thanks to basic grammar, which at this stage becomes your reliable assistant.
● Present Simple allows you to talk about your habits and everyday life: “I drink coffee every morning”, “I work as a manager”. You can describe your working day or what you like to do on weekends. ● Past Simple brings your memories to life. You can share your impressions of your last vacation, tell us what movie you watched yesterday, or discuss important events in your life. The “going to” construction turns your dreams into concrete plans. You can discuss with a new friend where you're going to go this weekend or what you plan to do in the evening. Imagine the situation: you are sitting in a cozy cafe somewhere in Prague. You don't just point your finger at the menu, you confidently say: “Can I have a cappuccino and a croissant, please?”. You can ask for the price, pay and say thank you. This is a small but important victory. Or you meet another traveler and can make small talk about where you are from, what you do, and what you like. Your vocabulary, which at this stage reaches 500-1000 active words, becomes the toolkit that allows you to build these first bridges between cultures.
The world around you begins to speak: what you will hear and understand
One of the most exciting moments in language learning is that “click” when a continuous stream of incomprehensible sounds suddenly breaks down into familiar words. This is the moment when the world around you literally starts talking to you.
At Elementary level, you develop the fundamental skill of listening comprehension in a variety of settings. It's important to remember that you won't be able to understand fast-paced native speakers or complex news stories. Your superpower lies elsewhere: you can get the gist if the speaker speaks slowly, clearly and uses familiar vocabulary on everyday topics.
Think about these scenarios that are becoming a reality for you:
● At the airport: You hear a clear announcement: "Flight to... Berlin... gate... number ten". There is no panic. You understand everything and calmly walk to your gate. You can understand the short, simple directions and instructions.
● At the hotel: The receptionist slowly explains to you: “Breakfast is from 7 to 10”. You nod because you understand the key information.
In a conversation: Your new foreign friend is talking about his family, and you catch some familiar words: "I have a brother and a sister. We live in a big house." You may not understand every word, but you get the gist of it, and now you can start a conversation.
This is the skill of selective listening - the ability to grab the most important information you need here and now from the flow of speech. It turns chaos into order and gives you an incredible sense of control and confidence.
Reading without pain and writing without fear: your first texts
The world of text also opens up to you in a new way. Signs that used to be just a decorative element now carry information for you. Short messages are no longer hieroglyphs.
Reading at the Elementary level is primarily a practical skill for orientation in space. You will be able to read and understand easily:
● Signs on the streets and in public places: “Entrance”, ‘Exit’, “Open/Closed”, “Information”.
● Menus in a restaurant or cafe by finding familiar names of dishes and drinks. ● Short and simple messages, for example, in a messenger from a friend or in a sale announcement. ● Simple personal letters or postcards by capturing the main idea.
Writing is no longer a challenge. You can now not only write your name, but also leave a meaningful message. Your new skills include:
● Filling out simple questionnaires and registration forms at hotels or airports (Name, Surname, Nationality).
● Writing a short message to a friend: “Let's meet at 6 pm” or “I am late, sorry”. ● Writing a simple personal letter or signing a greeting card, expressing simple thoughts and wishes. Write a few sentences about yourself, your family, or your home.
Test your strength: are you ready for new horizons?
If, while reading this, you recognized yourself in many situations and your heart was happy to think of new opportunities, this is a great sign! Perhaps you are already at the Elementary level or have even surpassed it.
The best way to find out is to take a small, friendly test. It's not an exam, it's just a way to confirm your progress and see how much you already know. It only takes a few minutes, but it will give you a clear understanding of your current knowledge.
Click here to take our Elementary test and get instant confirmation of your new superpowers.
What's next? Your next step towards fluency
Elementary is your solid foundation. What's next? And then there's Pre-Intermediate, the first floor of your knowledge skyscraper, which offers a much wider view. At this stage, conversations get longer, jokes get funnier, and texts get more interesting. You begin not only to survive in the English-speaking environment, but to feel more and more comfortable in it.
What if our first test seemed too easy for you and you passed it with flying colors? Congratulations! It looks like you're ready for the next challenge and are on the verge of reaching the Pre-Intermediate level. This means that you are ready to deepen your grammar knowledge, expand your vocabulary and talk about more complex topics.
Test your ambitions and try your hand at the Pre-Intermediate test to see what new heights await you.
Conclusion: Elementary is not the finish line, it's your ticket to the big world
The Elementary level is not just another step in your education. It is your personal breakthrough. This is the moment when English turns from an abstract school subject into a universal key that opens the door to new countries, new friends, new music and new career opportunities.
This is proof that you can achieve your goals. It is the confidence that inspires you to move on. It is your ticket to a world without borders. And the most interesting is yet to come. So don't stop. Communicate, listen, read - and you will be surprised how quickly you will start not only speaking but also thinking in English.
Prepared by ENGLISH.KH.UA
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