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Guide to Levels

A guide showing the progression of LFA language levels

The table below gives an indication of entry levels based on previous language learning and/or English educational qualifications, as well as, for European languages, the CEFR. They are a guide, not pre-requisites.

Please also note that summaries of course content can be viewed for all languages via the links to the right of this page.

Entry Level Recommended level of study

Language Development Courses

Language Accelerator Courses / Credit-Bearing Modules
No experience Beginners Step 1 Stage 1   
Some basic knowledge Beginners Step 2
  • CEFR A1-
  • Progression Beginners course
  • Low GCSE
Elementary Step 1
Step 2
  • CEFR A1+
  • Progression Elementary course
  • Credit-bearing module or Accelerator course at Stage 1
  • GCSE
Lower Intermediate Step 1 Stage 2   
Step 2
  • CEFR A2-
  • Progression Lower Intermediate course
  • GCSE + some time abroad
Intermediate Step 1
Step 2
  • CEFR A2+
  • Progression Intermediate course
  • Credit-bearing module or Accelerator course at Stage 2
  • AS level
Higher Intermediate Step 1 Stage 3   
Step 2
  • CEFR B1-
  • Progression Higher Intermediate course
  • Low/rusty A level
Advanced Step 1
Step 2
  • CEFR B1
  • Progression Advanced course
  • Credit-bearing module or Accelerator course at Stage 3
  • A level
Higher Advanced 1 Step 1 Stage 4
Step 2
  • CEFR B1+/B2-
  • Progression Higher Advanced 1 course
Higher Advanced 2 Step 1
Step 2