Understand your English level

Sam Colley
Reading time: 4 minutes

Learning English as a second language is a journey that can be fun and tough. A key part of this journey is knowing your current skill level. The Global Scale of English (GSE) helps learners check their skills. The GSE is a scale from 10 to 90 that measures English ability. It gives clear information about what learners can do at each level. In this blog, we’ll look at how to find out your English level using GSE scores, levels, and "I can..." statements.

Why understanding your English level matters

You may wonder, ‘Why is it important for me to know my language level’? If you start studying without knowing your skill level, you might feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or find learning too easy and be put off or not make any learning progress.
Knowing your English level helps you in many ways, such as to:

  1. Set realistic goals: Tailor your learning objectives to your current abilities.
  2. Choose appropriate materials: Select books, courses, and resources that match your proficiency.
  3. Track progress: Measure improvement over time and stay motivated.

GSE levels and what they mean

The GSE levels range from Starter to Expert, each with specific "I can..." statements that describe what you should be able to do at that level. Here’s a breakdown of each level, along with some practical examples:

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GSE 10-19: Starter – CEFR <A1

At this level, you can use and understand a small number of words and phrases.

For example: You can say hello and introduce yourself. Simple phrases like "My name is John" or "How are you?" are within your grasp.

GSE 20-29: Beginner – CEFR <A1-A1

As a beginner, you can ask and answer simple questions, write short sentences, and share personal information.

For example: You can order food and drink in a simple way. For instance, you might say, "I would like a coffee, please," or "Where is the bathroom?"

GSE 30-39: Pre-intermediate – CEFR A2+

At this stage, you can talk about everyday topics and understand the main information in conversations.

For example: You can make a hotel reservation over the phone. You might say, "I need a room for two nights," or "Do you have free Wi-Fi?"

GSE 40-49: Intermediate – CEFR B1

Intermediate learners can share their opinions, explain their reasoning, and write longer texts, such as short essays.

For example: You can describe your weekend plans. For example, "This weekend, I am going to visit my grandparents and go hiking."

GSE 50-59: High Intermediate – CEFR B1+

At this level, you can lead and participate in conversations on familiar and unfamiliar topics, and write documents expressing opinion or fact, such as reports and articles.

For example: You can make a complaint. You might say, "I am not satisfied with the service because my order was incorrect."

GSE 60-69: Pre-advanced – CEFR B1-B2

Pre-advanced learners can speak more fluently about a broad range of topics and share detailed ideas and explanations in writing.

For example: You can understand a wide range of TV shows and films. For example, you can follow the plot and dialogue of a drama series without subtitles.

GSE 70-79: Advanced – CEFR B2+-C1

At the advanced level, you can speak fluently in personal, professional, and academic contexts and understand unfamiliar topics, even colloquialisms.

For example: You can make and understand jokes using word-play. For instance, you might understand a pun or a play on words in a conversation.

GSE 80-90: Expert – CEFR C1-C2

Expert learners can talk spontaneously, fluently, and precisely, read and write documents with ease, and understand spoken English in all contexts.

For example: You can participate in fast-paced conversations on complex topics. You might discuss global economic issues or debate philosophical ideas with ease.

Assessing your English proficiency

To accurately find out your GSE level, consider taking a standardized test that provides a GSE score. Many language schools and online platforms offer assessments specifically designed to measure your English proficiency according to the GSE framework or you could try the ɫèAV Test of English (PTE) or ɫèAV English International Certificate (PEIC).

Understanding yourself to improve your English study

Understanding your English level as an ESL learner is an essential step in mastering the language. Whether you're a beginner who can recognize simple greetings or an advanced learner who can understand complex arguments in newspaper articles, the GSE provides a clear pathway for your language learning journey so you can clearly see where you stand and what you need to work on next.

Read our blog posts ‘Learning a language while working full-time’ and ‘English conversation mistakes to avoid’

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  • A teacher helping a teenage student working at her desk in a library

    How teachers can use the GSE for professional development

    By Fajarudin Akbar
    Reading time: 4.5 minutes

    As English teachers, we’re usually the ones helping others grow. We guide learners through challenges, celebrate their progress and push them to reach new heights. But what about our own growth? How do we, as educators, continue to develop and refine our practice?

    The Global Scale of English (GSE) is often seen as a tool for assessing students. However, in my experience, it can also be a powerful guide for teachers who want to become more intentional, reflective, and confident in their teaching. Here's how the GSE has helped me in my own journey as an English teacher and how it can support yours too.

    About the GSE

    The GSE is a proficiency scale developed by ɫèAV. It measures English ability across four skills – listening, speaking, reading and writing – on a scale from 10 to 90. It’s aligned with the CEFR but offers more detailed learning objectives, which can be incredibly useful in diverse teaching contexts.

    I first encountered the GSE while exploring ways to better personalize learning objectives in my Business English classes. As a teacher in a non-formal education setting in Indonesia, I often work with students who don’t fit neatly into one CEFR level. I needed something more precise, more flexible, and more connected to real classroom practice. That’s when the GSE became a turning point.

    Reflecting on our teaching practice

    The GSE helped me pause and reflect. I started reading through the learning objectives and asking myself important questions. Were my lessons really aligned with what learners at this level needed? Was I challenging them just enough or too much?

    By using the GSE as a mirror, I began to see areas where I could improve. For example, I realized that, although I was confident teaching speaking skills, I wasn’t always giving enough attention to writing development. The GSE didn’t judge me. It simply showed me where I could grow.

    Planning with purpose

    One of the best things about the GSE is that it brings clarity to lesson planning. Instead of guessing whether an activity is suitable for a student’s level, I now check the GSE objectives. If I know a learner is at GSE 50 in speaking, I can design a role-play that matches that level of complexity. If another learner is at GSE 60, I can challenge them with more open-ended tasks.

    Planning becomes easier and more purposeful. I don’t just create lessons, I design learning experiences that truly meet students where they are.

    Collaborating with other teachers

    The GSE has also become a shared language for collaboration. When I run workshops or peer mentoring sessions, I often invite teachers to explore the GSE Toolkit together. We look at learning objectives, discuss how they apply to our learners, and brainstorm ways to adapt materials.

    These sessions are not just about theory: they’re energizing. Teachers leave with new ideas, renewed motivation and a clearer sense of how to bring their teaching to the next level.

    Getting started with the GSE

    If you’re curious about how to start using the GSE for your own growth, here are a few simple steps:

    • Visit the GSE Teacher Toolkit and explore the learning objectives for the skills and levels you teach.
    • Choose one or two objectives that resonate with you and reflect on whether your current lessons address them.
    • Try adapting a familiar activity to better align with a specific GSE range.
    • Use the GSE when planning peer observations or professional learning communities. It gives your discussions a clear focus.

    Case study from my classroom

    I once had a private Business English student preparing for a job interview. Her speaking skills were solid – around GSE 55 – but her writing was more limited, probably around GSE 45. Instead of giving her the same tasks across both skills, I personalized the lesson.

    For speaking, we practiced mock interviews using complex questions. For writing, I supported her with guided sentence frames for email writing. By targeting her actual levels, not just a general CEFR level, she improved faster and felt more confident.

    That experience reminded me that when we teach with clarity, learners respond with progress.

    Challenges and solutions

    Of course, using the GSE can feel overwhelming at first. There are many descriptors, and it can take time to get familiar with the scale. My advice is to start small: focus on one skill or one level. Also, use the Toolkit as a companion, not a checklist.

    Another challenge is integrating the GSE into existing materials, and this is where technology can help. I often use AI tools like ChatGPT to adjust or rewrite tasks so they better match specific GSE levels. This saves time and makes differentiation easier.

    Teachers deserve development too

    Teaching is a lifelong journey. The GSE doesn’t just support our students, it also supports us. It helps us reflect, plan, and collaborate more meaningfully. Most of all, it reminds us that our growth as teachers is just as important as the progress of our learners.

    If you’re looking for a simple, practical, and inspiring way to guide your professional development, give the GSE a try. It helped me grow, and I believe it can help you too.

    Additional resources