English Language Reference
Below, you will find many reference pages to help you improve your English.
Language
CEFR - A Standard For Describing Language Level
Explore our FAQ on CEFR levels, benefits for students and teachers, exam correlations, and native speaker comparisons.
CEFR - A Visual Guide
Is A2 Elementary or Pre-Intermediate? What do CEFR levels mean? Visit to see a simple chart that explains how these international English levels fit together.
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Functional Language
Functional language is about what you do with English, not just the grammar rules you know. It covers the fixed phrases and expressions we use in specific everyday situations, from ordering a coffee or apologising, to negotiating a business deal or debating a complex topic.
These six reference pages are organised by CEFR level to help you find the right language for your ability. We have identified a set of "Core Functions" (such as Agreeing, Disagreeing, and Asking for Opinions) that appear at every level, allowing you to see exactly how your language becomes more complex and nuanced as you progress from A1 to C2. Each section includes essential phrase lists and real-life dialogues to help you communicate more naturally and effectively.
A1 Beginner Functional Language
Essential phrases for survival English: introductions, ordering food, and asking simple questions.
A2 Elementary Functional Language
Everyday language for routine tasks: making plans, giving directions, and telling stories.
B1 Intermediate Functional Language
Key phrases for travel and work, including giving advice, justifying opinions, and checking understanding.
B2 Upper Intermediate Functional Language
Language for fluency and diplomacy: how to persuade, speculate, and disagree politely.
C1 Advanced Functional Language
Sophisticated expressions for professional contexts: structuring arguments, using vague language, and expressing empathy.
C2 Proficiency Functional Language
The highest level of nuance: rhetorical devices, irony, and asserting authority in formal debates.
Vocabulary
Word Lists By CEFR Level
The most important words to learn as you move up from elementary to advanced. These word lists are categorised by CEFR level, starting from A1 (Elementary) and going up to C2 (Proficiency).
A1 Elementary
A1 CEFR Word List
A2 Pre-Intermediate
A2 CEFR Word List
Exams at this CEFR level: A2 Key
B1 Intermediate
B1 CEFR Word List
Exams at this CEFR level: B1 Preliminary
B2 Upper Intermediate
B2 CEFR Word List
Exams at this CEFR level: B2 First
C1 Advanced
C1 CEFR Word List
Exams at this CEFR level: C1 Advanced
C2 Proficiency
C2 CEFR Word List
Exams at this CEFR level: C2 Proficiency
Highlighted Links
Some pages on the site you might not have seen.
Pronunciation
Phonetic Alphabet Chart
There are 20 vowel sounds and 24 consonant sounds in the Standard English Phonetic Alphabet. Here is every one of them - and in the context of a word to help you understand the correct sound.
Grammar
Irregular Verb List
This is an irregular verb list a little unlike those you could easily get hold of at your own school. They are listed in order of how often they appear in real English as shown by the famous Lancaster-Bergen corpus. These 50+ in this order represent an incredible 87% of irregular verb occurrence in English.
Punctuation and Symbols in English
Guides on how to use English punctuation and certain symbols. The history of each one, how you should and should not be using them, common errors and much more.
Quotation Marks “ ”
Brackets & Parentheses ( ) [ ] { }
