What to Know to Finish A1 Level in English Easily

If you’re starting your English learning journey, the A1 level (beginner) is your first official step on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). So what exactly does it mean to finish A1 level in English, and how do you know when you’re ready to move up?

This guide breaks down what you need for A1 in each skill — reading, writing, speaking, and listening — along with real examples, typical mistakes, and tips to keep progressing.

CEFR Scale & How to Finish A1 Level in English

According to the CEFR, A1 is the beginner level. At this stage, learners can:

• Understand and use basic expressions

• Introduce themselves and others

• Ask and answer simple questions

• Interact if the other person speaks slowly and clearly

• Use everyday words related to needs like food, family, work, and shopping

Let’s look at what’s required in each skill area to truly finish A1 level in English.

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Reading Skills to Finish A1 Level in English

✅ What you should be able to do:

• Read short texts like signs, forms, simple emails

• Understand common everyday words and phrases

• Find basic information in ads, menus, schedules

Example A1 Reading Task:

Text:
“The train leaves at 7:15 AM from Platform 4. It arrives in London at 9:00 AM.”

Question:
What time does the train leave?

✅ Correct Answer:

7:15 AM

❌ Common Mistake:

9:00 AM (confusing arrival time with departure time)

Tip:

Practice reading bus/train schedules, product labels, and short messages. Focus on keywords and times.

The Quickest Way To Increase from A1 to A2

✍️ Writing Skills to Finish A1 Level in English

✅ What you should be able to do:

• Write short sentences and fill out simple forms

• Send basic messages about everyday things (e.g., appointments, food, locations)

• Use present tense and basic connectors like “and”, “but”

Example A1 Writing Task:

Write 3–4 sentences about your daily routine.

✅ Correct Example:

“I wake up at 7:00. I eat breakfast. I go to work at 8:30. I come home at 6:00.”

❌ Common Mistake:

“I waking up 7:00. Eat breakfast. I to work 8:30. Home 6:00.”

Tip:

Use simple subject + verb structure: I eat / I go / I like. Don’t try to use advanced grammar — focus on clarity and accuracy.

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️ Speaking Skills to Finish A1 Level in English

✅ What you should be able to do:

• Introduce yourself and others

• Answer questions about your name, job, nationality, hobbies

• Order food, ask for prices, describe basic needs

• Use short answers or very simple sentences

️ Example Speaking Questions and Answers:

Q: What do you do every morning?
✅ Correct Answer: “I get up at 7. I make coffee and go to work.”
❌ Common Mistake: “I getting up… coffee… and… late.”

Q: What do you like to eat?
✅ Correct Answer: “I like pizza and salad.”
❌ Common Mistake: “Pizza I like… and sometime eat salad.”

Tip:

Speak slowly and use full sentences. Don’t worry about complex vocabulary — it’s okay to repeat basic words.

Listening Skills to Finish A1 Level in English

✅ What you should be able to do:

• Understand simple questions and answers

• Follow slow and clear speech

• Recognize familiar words in greetings, numbers, prices, time

Example Listening Task:

Audio:
“Hi, I’m Maria. I work in a bookstore. I live in Berlin.”

Question:
Where does Maria work?

✅ Correct Answer:

In a bookstore

❌ Common Mistake:

In a school (confusing “bookstore” with “school” due to similar sounds or guessing)

Tip:

Listen to slow podcasts, English listening apps, or YouTube videos for beginners. Replay the same clip multiple times and write down key words.

What Grammar You Need to Finish A1 Level in English

At A1, grammar should be basic but solid. Here’s a list of what you need:

Common Mistakes Learners Make at A1

Here are some mistakes that stop learners from moving to A2:

❌ Mixing verb tenses

“Yesterday I go to work.” → ✅ “Yesterday I went to work.”

❌ Skipping subjects or verbs

“Eat dinner at 6.” → ✅ “I eat dinner at 6.”

❌ Avoiding speaking

Waiting for perfect grammar before trying to talk — speak with what you know!

How to Know You’re Ready to Increase Levels

You’re ready to move toward A2 when you can:

✅ Introduce yourself confidently in full sentences
✅ Read short paragraphs and answer simple questions
✅ Write 3–5 connected sentences with few errors
✅ Understand slow, clear English in daily life
✅ Ask and answer basic questions about everyday topics

Final Thoughts on How to Finish A1 Level in English

Finishing A1 means you’ve built a strong foundation. You don’t need perfect grammar — just functional English that works in everyday life. When you can consistently read, write, speak, and listen at this level, you’re ready to move forward.

Take your time, practice often, and focus on simple, correct communication — that’s the true goal when you’re working to finish A1 level in English.

Key Takeaways from this Article

✅ A1 is the beginner level of English on the CEFR scale
✅ You need to handle basic tasks in reading, writing, speaking, and listening
✅ Focus on accuracy, not complexity
✅ Use real-world examples and simple grammar patterns
✅ Finishing A1 is about confidence, clarity, and consistency