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CEFR Levels for Kids Explained: Pre-A1 to B1

Written by Paul B. 4 min read
Quick answer: CEFR describes language ability in six levels, from A1 (beginner) to C2 (mastery), and Pre-A1 was added below A1 for very young learners. With regular practice, children typically reach A1 around ages 5 to 7, A2 around 7 to 10 and B1 around 9 to 12. Reaching A1 takes about 90 to 100 hours of practice.

If you've looked into English learning resources for your child, you've probably encountered "CEFR," the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. It's the standard way to describe language proficiency across Europe and increasingly worldwide, dividing ability into six levels from A1 (beginner) to C2 (mastery).

The problem is that CEFR was designed for adult learners. Its descriptors mention things like "writing formal letters" and "following complex arguments," which a four-year-old won't be doing any time soon. The underlying structure is still useful, though, if you want to understand where your child stands and what to work toward next.

Below is what each level looks like in young learners ages 3 to 10.

The levels, one by one

Small Universe: Earth

Pre-A1: First Steps

Typical age range: 3–5 years old, or any beginner. If your child is in this range, see our guide to the best English apps for 3-4 year olds and find out when to start learning English.

Pre-A1 is below the original CEFR scale. The Council of Europe added it later specifically to describe very early learners. At this level, your child is just starting to connect English sounds with meaning.

What it looks like:

  • Recognizes and can say basic words: colors, numbers 1–10, animals, family members, body parts
  • Understands simple instructions with visual support ("Point to the dog")
  • Can respond to yes/no questions about familiar things
  • May mix English words into sentences in their first language
  • Vocabulary size: roughly 50–150 words (see our first 100 English words printable list)

Example vocabulary: red, blue, cat, dog, one, two, three, mom, dad, happy, big, small, hello, goodbye

Small Universe: Mars

A1: Breakthrough

Typical age range: 5–7 years old with regular exposure. See our picks for the best English apps for 5-7 year olds.

A1 is where children start forming simple sentences and can handle basic communication. They're not fluent, but they can make themselves understood in familiar situations.

What it looks like:

  • Can introduce themselves and answer simple questions ("What's your name?", "How old are you?")
  • Understands short sentences about everyday topics
  • Can describe things using simple adjectives ("The cat is big and black")
  • Follows simple stories when supported by pictures
  • Beginning to use basic verbs in present tense ("I like", "I want", "I have")
  • Vocabulary size: roughly 150–350 words

Example vocabulary: kitchen, bedroom, breakfast, school, teacher, friend, morning, evening, run, jump, eat, drink, because, favorite

Small Universe: Jupiter and Neptune

A1–A2 Bridge: Building Confidence

Typical age range: 6–7 years old with consistent practice

Jupiter and Neptune both sit on the bridge between A1 and A2. Children have enough language to participate in everyday exchanges but still need support with new topics. This is where they solidify past-tense use and learn to express preferences and opinions.

What it looks like:

  • Can talk about daily routines and recent events in simple sentences
  • Understands the main idea of short texts and dialogues
  • Starting to use past tense for common verbs ("I went", "I saw")
  • Can express opinions simply ("I think it's funny")
  • Follows classroom instructions without translation
  • Vocabulary size: roughly 350–500 words

Example vocabulary: yesterday, tomorrow, weather, season, country, travel, hospital, dentist, excited, worried, already, sometimes, because, although

Small Universe: Uranus

A2 Core: Waystage

Typical age range: 7–9 years old with sustained learning

At A2 core, children can handle most everyday English situations. They understand the language well enough to learn other subjects through English and can hold real conversations with patient speakers.

What it looks like:

  • Can describe their background and surroundings in simple terms
  • Understands the main points of clear, standard speech on familiar topics
  • Can read and understand short texts independently (signs, menus, simple stories)
  • Uses a range of tenses with reasonable accuracy
  • Can compare things ("bigger than", "the most interesting")
  • Vocabulary size: roughly 500–700 words

Example vocabulary: environment, technology, experience, decision, celebrate, discover, improve, probably, definitely, including, however, meanwhile

Small Universe: Saturn

A2 Advanced: Expanding Range

Typical age range: 8–10 years old with regular practice

Saturn, the grammar planet, starts around here and climbs to B1. A2 Advanced children are consolidating grammar and expanding vocabulary into more abstract topics. They can handle narrative and descriptive writing and follow stories without picture support.

What it looks like:

  • Uses present perfect and future forms with confidence
  • Can narrate a sequence of events clearly
  • Understands English-language cartoons and simple chapter books
  • Asks clarifying questions in English without switching languages
  • Vocabulary size: roughly 700–900 words

Example vocabulary: adventure, discovery, competition, predict, imagine, unusual, responsible, whenever, although, therefore, instead, meanwhile

Small Universe: Pluto

A2 Consolidation: Cementing the Foundation

Typical age range: 8–10 years old approaching B1

Pluto, the final planet, is about making A2 solid: it reviews every planet and ends with the Boss Planet. Children work on accuracy and idiomatic phrases, and on conversations that don't go quite as expected.

What it looks like:

  • Uses common idioms and fixed phrases naturally ("I can't wait", "It doesn't matter")
  • Can hold a short conversation on a familiar topic with little hesitation
  • Reads simple chapter books with growing independence
  • Can write a short paragraph describing a personal experience
  • Vocabulary size: roughly 900–1,100 words

Example vocabulary: curious, exhausted, frustrated, manage, suggest, probably, unless, despite, prepare, achieve, connect, describe

Small Universe: Saturn

B1: Threshold

Typical age range: 9–12 years old with strong foundations

B1 is a significant milestone, and Saturn, the hardest planet, reaches into it. Children at this level can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters, deal with most situations likely to arise while travelling in an English-speaking area, and produce simple connected text on familiar topics.

What it looks like:

  • Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions, and briefly explain opinions and plans
  • Understands the main points of TV programmes on familiar topics
  • Can handle most travel situations without preparation
  • Produces connected writing: short essays, letters, descriptions
  • Uses conditional sentences ("If I had time, I would...")
  • Vocabulary size: roughly 1,200–2,000 words

Example vocabulary: consequence, opportunity, responsibility, emphasize, persuade, significantly, regardless, contribute, analyze, accomplish, throughout, furthermore

How to assess your child's level

Formal testing isn't necessary or particularly useful for young children. Instead, observe how they interact with English in natural situations:

Moving between levels

Progress through CEFR levels isn't linear. A child might understand vocabulary at an A1 level but speak at Pre-A1, or read at A2 and still struggle with listening. That's normal, because different skills develop at different rates.

Cambridge English gives rough guided learning hours for each level, counted from zero: about 90 to 100 hours to reach A1, 180 to 200 for A2 and 350 to 400 for B1. At 15 minutes per day, 100 hours takes a little over a year (here's how to build a daily routine), and the step from A2 to B1 takes roughly twice as long as each of the first two. Some children move faster and some take longer. Both are fine.

Don't rush it. Each level is the foundation for the next, and children pushed past their current level before it's solid tend to develop gaps that get harder to fill later.

A child who is comfortable at Pre-A1 is in a better position than one who's been pushed to A1 before they're ready.

Sources

This guide draws on the following research and reference works. It is written by Paul B.

Frequently asked questions

What CEFR level should a 5-year-old English learner be at?

It depends entirely on exposure. A 5-year-old with no prior English instruction will be Pre-A1. A 5-year-old who has had regular English input since age 3 could be at A1. CEFR levels reflect what a child can do rather than how old they are, so there is no "right" level for a given birthday.

Is A2 English fluent for a child?

A2 means a child can handle everyday English situations and hold simple conversations. It is functional communication, not fluency. True conversational fluency typically begins at B1-B2. For most children ages 3-10, A2 core (Uranus) is an excellent target by the end of primary school.

How do I assess my child's CEFR level at home?

Watch how they interact with English naturally: Can they follow an English cartoon without subtitles? Do they answer questions in single words (Pre-A1), short sentences (A1), or explanations (A2)? Can they play a game that uses English-only instructions? These informal observations are more reliable for young children than formal tests.

How long does it take to move from one CEFR level to the next?

Cambridge English estimates roughly 90–100 guided learning hours to reach A1, 180–200 in total for A2 and 350–400 for B1. At 15 minutes a day, every 100 hours takes a little over a year. Progress isn't linear either: a child's reading, listening and speaking often move at different speeds within the same overall level.

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Paul B.

Founder of Small Universe. His own kids bounced off every English app he tried, so he built one that puts language-acquisition research into practice. More about Small Universe →

Last updated October 4, 2026.