English C1

English level C1 (Advanced) is the fifth CEFR English language level. Level C1 corresponds to users who can express themselves fluently and spontaneously. They can use language flexibly and effectively for all purposes.

English communication (C1)

  • Expressing feelings and attitudes
  • Emphasizing an issue or a feeling
  • Expressing opinions tentatively
  • Developing an argument systematically
  • Negotiating and conceding
  • Describing cause and effect
  • Expressing empathy and sympathy
  • Expressing reservations
  • Speculating about events in past, present, future
  • Discussing complex subjects in detail

English vocabulary (C1)

  • Life experiences and lifestyles
  • Books and literature
  • Money and business
  • News and current affairs
  • Global issues
  • Technology
  • Scientific developments
  • Vague language
  • Colloquial expressions
  • Idiomatic expressions

English grammar (C1)

  • Futures (revision)
  • Passives (all forms)
  • Compound adjectives and modifying gradable adjectives
  • Adverbs and adverbial phrases: degree
  • Modals in the past
  • Mixed conditionals
  • Ellipsis and substitution
  • Adding emphasis – cleft sentences
  • Adding emphasis – inversion with negative adverbials
  • Multi-word verbs

Language Level C1

Listening

I can understand extended speech even when it is not clearly structured and when relationships are only implied and not signaled explicitly. I can understand television programs and films without too much effort.

Reading

I can understand long and complex factual and literary texts, appreciating distinctions of style. I can understand specialized articles and longer technical
instructions, even when they do not relate to my field.

Spoken Interaction

I can express myself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. I can use language flexibly and effectively for social and professional purposes. I can formulate ideas and opinions with precision and relate my contribution skillfully to those of other speakers.

Spoken Production

I can present clear, detailed descriptions of complex subjects integrating sub-themes, developing particular points and rounding off with an appropriate conclusion.

Writing

I can express myself in clear, well-structured text, expressing points of view at some length. I can write about complex subjects in a letter, an essay or a report, underlining what I consider to be the salient issues. I can select style appropriate to the reader in mind.