Advanced English: What you’ll learn at the highest levels

Have you ever wondered what the highest level of English is? If you're a dedicated student with a passion for the English language, you may be curious to know what you can learn at the most advanced level, what it means to have a complete command of the language and what the benefits of getting there are.

In this article, we'll explain all this and more!

The CEFR stands for Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. It is an international system that defines levels of proficiency in a foreign language.

It serves to standardize and guide the teaching and assessment of languages in different countries and contexts, facilitating communication and the recognition of diplomas and certificates. In addition, it is also important for facilitating student learning, as they are not so overwhelmed by the large amount of content to assimilate at once, serving as a reference for students to monitor their progress, define their objectives and choose the right materials for their needs.

To do this, the system divides English proficiency levels into six categories: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. Each of these represents a set of skills and competencies that you must demonstrate in relation to oral and written comprehension and production of the language. A1 and A2, for example, correspond to the basic level, while B1 and B2 correspond to the intermediate level. C1 and C2 correspond to the advanced level of English, according to the CEFR.

Students who reach C1 and C2 levels are in fact at the most advanced levels of English and are therefore able to communicate fluently, accurately and naturally in most situations, from the most informal to the most formal and academic.

Now that you know what the highest level of English is, it's time to learn about the differences between C1 and C2. Although they are at the top of the CEFR classification and represent an almost native command of the English language, there are some particularities between them that can be summarized as follows:

 Level C1 (advanced)

At C1 level, students are able to understand a wide variety of long and complex texts, recognize implicit meanings and use the linguistic code flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. They can also produce clear, well-structured and detailed texts on complex subjects, showing control of the mechanisms of organization, articulation and cohesion.

 Level C2 (post-advanced)

At C2 level, students can understand practically everything they hear or read with ease, even if it is abstract or unfamiliar. They can also summarize information from different oral or written sources, reconstructing arguments and facts in a coherent way. In addition, they can express themselves spontaneously, fluently and precisely, differentiating nuances of meaning in complex situations.

To reach the highest level of English, students need to have a broad knowledge of English vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation and culture. They also need to develop skills such as listening, reading, speaking and writing in different genres and registers. Here's what you learn at each level of advanced English:

Level C1

At this level, English learners learn to use a broader vocabulary specific to different areas, such as business, science, art, politics and the environment. They also learn to understand and produce different genres and purposes, such as articles, essays, reports, formal and informal letters, presentations and debates. They will be able to communicate naturally and efficiently.

To do this, however, it's important to learn:

• Conditional sentences

• Phrasal verbs

• Prefixes and suffixes

• Nuances of meaning (implicit meanings)

• Verb tenses and moods

• Using connectives to express logical relationships between ideas

• Idioms

• Proverbs

• Conditional tense in the past

Level C2

At level C2, students extend the language skills mentioned above to a level close to native. As such, they can understand practically everything they hear or read effortlessly and summarize information from different oral and written sources, reconstructing arguments and facts coherently.

Furthermore, they are able to express themselves spontaneously, fluently and precisely, distinguishing subtle nuances of meaning even in the most complex situations. Finally, they can produce clear, fluent and well-structured texts on complex or abstract subjects in a style appropriate to the communicative purpose.

Let's look at some examples of content covered at this level of learning:

• Participle clauses

• Native idioms

• Adverbial clauses

• Mixed conditionals

• Prepositional phrases

• Technical vocabulary on finance, business, philosophy, psychology, the arts, culture, etc;

In a nutshell, we can say that the C2 level of English consists of revising and consolidating all the subjects covered in the previous levels of the advanced course. It's basically exploring the more specific aspects of the language, understanding and speaking quickly as if you were a native speaker.

Did you like learning about the highest level of English? Then you'll love to know what doors fluency in the language can open for you. Mastering English has many advantages for those who want to stand out in the job market and broaden their cultural and personal horizons. In other words, achieving the highest level of English can give you access to a world of opportunities, such as:

• Being able to apply for jobs that require a high level of English, both in Brazil and abroad;

• Possibility of taking specialization, master's or doctoral courses at renowned universities that use English as their official language;

• Travel the world without worrying about language or cultural barriers, being able to interact with people from different countries and backgrounds;

• Consuming a variety of content in English, such as books, films, tv shows, podcasts, newspapers and magazines, without the need for translation or subtitles;

• Express your ideas, opinions and feelings clearly and confidently in the most widely spoken language in the world and in any context.

As you can see, reaching the highest level of English is a challenge that requires dedication, motivation and persistence. However, it is also an achievement that brings many rewards for your personal and professional life.

That's why it's important to have a good school by your side when it comes to learning English, especially for the final levels which require mastering more complex grammar rules and practicing formal conversation and writing.

If you want to discover the highest level of English without beating around the bush, EF English Live is your best option. We are the largest online English school in the world and we offer a complete, dynamic and up-to-date course for those who want to master English with quality and flexibility.

With EF English Live, you’ll have access to:

• A complete online course covering all levels according to CEFR standards

• An interactive and dynamic platform, with varied activities, tests and simulations, which make learning more fun and effective

• A team of qualified, native-speaking teachers who offer live lessons 24/7, in groups or one-to-one, according to your level of English and your interests.

• Personalized and adaptive methodology that allows you to study at your own pace, in your own time and on the device of your choice, be it computer, tablet or cell phone.

Do you want to learn the highest level of English in practice and achieve all your personal, professional or academic goals? Start learning with EF English Live today! Take our assessment test and find out how good your English is. The test only takes 15 minutes and the result is available immediately. You won't miss this opportunity, will you?