Progress Tracking Guide

Stop guessing where you are. Understand the CEFR framework, recognize meaningful milestones, and know exactly when you're ready to advance.

The CEFR Journey

Your roadmap from beginner to mastery—with realistic expectations at every stage

Breakthrough

80-100 hours

Waystage

180-200 hours

Threshold

600-700 hours

Vantage

1,000-1,200 hours

Advanced

1,400-1,600 hours

A2: Survival

180-200h

Simple routine tasks, direct exchange on familiar topics. Can order food, ask directions, handle shopping, manage transportation, and navigate basic travel situations.

Vocab target: 1,000-2,000 words

B1: Independent

600-700h

Can enter unprepared into conversation on familiar topics. Independent language use becomes sustainable. This is the critical breakthrough where you can actually use the language.

Vocab target: 2,000-3,000 words

B2: Professional

1,000-1,200h

Regular interaction with natives without strain for either party. Can participate in meetings, deliver presentations, and handle professional contexts confidently.

Vocab target: 3,250-5,000 words

80-85%

Only 15-20% of learners surpass B2. This isn't failure—B2 represents functional fluency that serves most purposes. Reaching B2 is a fantastic achievement most people never attain.

Research: CEFR descriptors validated across languages and contexts. Time estimates based on FSI data and Cambridge Assessment research. B1 represents the threshold where independent language use becomes sustainable (600-700 cumulative hours). B2 marks professional competence without strain (1,000-1,200 hours).

Meaningful Milestones

Forget test scores—focus on what you can actually DO with the language

A2 Level

Survival Conversations

Order food in restaurants, ask for directions, handle shopping, manage transportation, navigate basic travel situations independently.

B1 Level

Personal Conversations

Discuss family, hobbies, experiences, and express abstract concepts. Can maintain conversations on topics of personal interest without script.

B2 Level

Professional Contexts

Participate in meetings, deliver presentations, write reports. Handle professional interactions without strain for either party.

Are You Ready to Advance?

Use these indicators to know when you're genuinely ready for the next level

Ready for B1 (Independent)

Consistently comfortable at A2 level in AI conversations

Can introduce yourself with 5-6 sentences fluently

Know 1,000+ words actively (can use them without thinking)

Can handle 10-15 minute exchanges on familiar topics

Comfortable with your first human conversation attempt

Ready for B2 (Professional)

Can enter unprepared conversations without script

Maintain 20+ minute conversations on abstract topics

Comfortable with AI becomes nervous with native speakers (sign you need more human practice)

Vocabulary reaches 2,000-3,000 words actively

Can watch native content and follow most conversations

Research: Readiness indicators based on CEFR can-do statements and research on learner progression. Self-assessment accuracy improves significantly with specific descriptors rather than general impressions. Speaking vs comprehension develops unevenly—comprehension consistently develops ahead of production with gap largest at B1-B2 levels.

Start Tracking Your Progress

Join learners who understand exactly where they are, celebrate real milestones, and know when they're ready to advance. Progress tracking turns the long journey to fluency into achievable steps.

Begin Your Journey