What to Know to Finish A2 Level in English: Pro Tips

After A1, the next milestone on the CEFR scale is A2, or elementary level. This stage is where English learners move beyond survival phrases and begin to express themselves more independently. So, what does it really take to finish A2 level in English confidently?

This full guide breaks down everything you need to know across all four skill areas — reading, writing, speaking, and listening — plus grammar expectations, example questions, and common mistakes to avoid.

What Does A2 Mean on the CEFR Scale?

A2 is still considered basic English, but it represents real progress. According to the CEFR, learners at this level can:

• Understand and use frequent everyday expressions

• Communicate in routine tasks that require simple, direct exchange of information

• Talk about familiar topics like work, family, shopping, and routines

• Handle short social exchanges, even if conversation breaks down at times

To finish A2 level in English, you need to use English with more confidence, accuracy, and range than at A1.

Reading Skills at A2 Level

✅ What you should be able to do:

• Read short, simple texts like emails, ads, menus, or instructions

• Understand basic descriptions of people, places, and things

• Get the main idea from short paragraphs and notices

Example A2 Reading Task:

Text:
“Emma is going to Paris for three days. She will visit museums and meet a friend. She loves French food and wants to try something new.”

Question:
What does Emma want to do in Paris?

✅ Correct Answer:

Try new food

❌ Common Mistake:

Visit a friend (She will, but the question asked what she wants to do)

Tip:

Focus on purpose words (wants to, plans to, is going to) and practice reading short blog posts, travel reviews, or social media captions.

✍️ Writing Skills: Finish A2 Level in English

✅ What you should be able to do:

• Write connected sentences and short paragraphs

• Describe past and present activities

• Use common linking words like and, but, because, then

• Complete simple forms, emails, and notes with correct grammar and punctuation

Example A2 Writing Task:

Write 4–5 sentences about your last weekend.

✅ Correct Example:

“On Saturday, I went to the park with my friends. We played football and had lunch together. On Sunday, I stayed at home and watched a movie.”

❌ Common Mistake:

“I go park Saturday. Played football. On Sunday I am watching movie.”

Tip:

Practice writing short messages and describe routines or past events using past simple. Don’t skip verbs or subjects.

️ Speaking Skills: Finish A2 Level in English

✅ What you should be able to do:

• Take part in simple conversations on familiar topics

• Talk about your daily routine, hobbies, family, plans

• Ask and answer questions in different tenses (present, past, future)

• Express opinions using simple phrases

️ Example Speaking Questions and Answers:

Q: What do you usually do after work?
✅ Correct Answer: “I usually go home and cook dinner. Then I watch TV or read.”
❌ Common Mistake: “Go home. TV. Cooking sometime.”

Q: Tell me about your last holiday.
✅ Correct Answer: “I went to Spain last summer. I visited Madrid and ate a lot of great food.”
❌ Common Mistake: “I go Spain. Eat food. Nice place.”

Tip:

Use full sentences, and link ideas with then, and, after that. Don’t rush — focus on being clear, not fast.

Listening Skills: Finish A2 Level in English

✅ What you should be able to do:

• Understand short conversations and announcements

• Follow simple instructions

• Identify key information (e.g., time, place, number, reason)

• Understand the main idea of short dialogues

Example Listening Task:

Audio:
“The meeting will start at 10:30 instead of 10:00. Please go to Room 5.”

Question:
What time is the meeting?

✅ Correct Answer:

10:30

❌ Common Mistake:

10:00 (missed the update in the sentence)

Tip:

Listen to short recordings, podcasts, or dialogues. Focus on changes, dates, and details. Practice with transcripts if available.

What Grammar You Need to Finish A2 Level in English

By the end of A2, you should use and understand:

Mistakes to Avoid to Finish A2 Level in English

Here are some mistakes that can hold learners back:

❌ Confusing tenses

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

❌ Word order problems

“I every morning coffee drink.” → ✅ “I drink coffee every morning.”

❌ Forgetting articles

“She is teacher.” → ✅ “She is a teacher.”

❌ Short or incomplete answers

“You like coffee?” → “Yes.” → ✅ “Yes, I do.”

How to Know You’re Ready to Finish A2 Level in English

You’re ready to move to B1 when you can:

✅ Understand and respond in common daily conversations
✅ Use correct grammar in the present and past tenses
✅ Express likes, dislikes, routines, and opinions clearly
✅ Write connected, short paragraphs about familiar topics
✅ Follow simple spoken instructions and understand the main idea in short recordings

What to Know to Finish A1 Level in English Easily

Final Thoughts: Finish A2 Level in English

To finish A2 level in English, you need to move from basic understanding to functional communication. At this stage, you’re not fluent — but you’re capable. You can express yourself clearly in simple terms, interact politely, and handle real-life conversations and tasks.

With regular speaking, listening, and writing practice, you’ll be ready to step up to B1, where English becomes more flexible and independent.

Key Takeaways: Finish A2 Level in English

✅ A2 means you can communicate about familiar topics and situations
✅ You should handle basic grammar across multiple tenses
✅ Use full sentences and link ideas when speaking or writing
✅ Confirm understanding, ask questions, and listen actively
✅ Finishing A2 prepares you to be more independent in English conversations