American Language Institute

Find a useful starting point for your English.

You may read comfortably but hesitate when speaking. Understanding your current skills helps you choose what to work on next.

Find Your Starting Point

Six reference levels. Different things you can do.

A1 · Begin

Use familiar phrases and exchange basic information with help.

A2 · Handle everyday exchanges

Talk about familiar routines and immediate needs.

B1 · Communicate more independently

Describe experiences, plans and opinions on familiar topics.

B2 · Develop your ideas

Take part in detailed discussions and explain viewpoints.

C1 · Communicate flexibly

Express complex ideas for academic and professional purposes.

C2 · Communicate with nuance

Understand demanding language and express subtle distinctions.

Your level guides the next step.

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, or CEFR, describes language abilities. It is a learning reference, not an accreditation of ALI.

These descriptions explain the framework. Open ALI classes and levels are confirmed individually before enrollment.

A questionnaire and a language assessment do different jobs.

Our starting-point questionnaire asks about your goals and availability. Placement assesses language skills. Completing the questionnaire does not produce a CEFR score.

Unsure where to begin?

Tell us what you want to do with English.

Find Your Starting Point

Your starting pointPlacement guidanceMatched cohortReview progress