PLC School & Training Centre

Level A1 English Test

In November 2010 the UK Border Agency (UKBA) introduced a basic language proficiency test for all individuals wanting to settle in the UK.  It is now a pre-requisite that all partners of UK citizens pass the ‘level A1’ English test in order to be eligible for the spouse/settlement visa.

The A1 test has been designed to be aligned to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF), a widely recognised benchmark for language ability.  The CEF divides learners into three broad divisions with level A1 equating to basic user/beginner.

Who is this test for?

This test is for individuals with a beginner knowledge of English; sufficient for survival in social, travel and everyday situations.

Test takers will be expected to understand very short, simple information and to express themselves simply and briefly, in speech and in writing.

How is this test structured?

The test has a written paper and a spoken test.  At Level A1 Foundation the themes relate to familiar and routine matters, such as home and shopping.

Topics:  personal details/experiences; family & friends; work; buying goods; leisure; education/training; transport; health; housing; weather.

Test takers will demonstrate their ability to:

• introduce him/herself and others.
• understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases.
• ask and answer questions about personal details such as possessions, address and people known.
• interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly.
• write short simple phrases and sentences in documents such as forms, lists and messages.
• read and understand short texts on familiar topics and obtain information from common signs and symbols.