A B2 level of English would allow you to function in the workplace in English, and indeed, many non-native English speakers in international workplaces have this level of English. A person working in English at a B2 level will, however, lack nuance particularly outside his own field.
Level B2: upper independent English level
It is this level, in particular, that is necessary to integrate a North American university, even a school of great European renown. But it is also the B2 level that is generally required to work or do an internship abroad in most English-speaking countries.
Request information here and one of our experts will help you to choose the course that best suits you. Level B2 corresponds to independent users of the language, i.e. those who have the necessary fluency to communicate without effort with native speakers.
B2: A professional at B2 level can often understand more complex conversations that relate to familiar topics, and they can read more complicated texts, such as articles or reports. They might speak with some spontaneity and contribute accurately to conversations.
CEFR B2 is equivalent to an IELTS score between 5.5 and 6.5. You are considered an “Independent user” as well. It means that you can communicate easily and spontaneously in a clear and detailed manner.
Upper intermediate (EF SET score 51-60)
English level B2 is the fourth level of English in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), a definition of different language levels written by the Council of Europe. In everyday speech, this level might be called “confident”, as in “I am a confident English speaker”.
Frequently asked questions about CEFR
They are grouped into three broader levels: A1-A2 (Basic User), B1-B2 (Independent User), and C1-C2 (Proficient User). What is the most popular CEFR level? The B2 level is the most demanded level when employers require “active command of the English language”.
B2 upper-intermediate proficiency
You can write and speak on a broad range of topics. Your conversation is more fluent and spontaneous. You can speak without translating in your head first. You can understand people when they're speaking about a topic about which you're aware, even if they speak quick.
Your certificate can be awarded at different levels, depending on your achievement. Exceptional candidates sometimes show ability beyond B2 level. If you achieve a scale score of 180–190 (grade A) in your exam, you will receive the First Certificate in English stating that you demonstrated ability at Level C1.
As a rough guide, Cambridge exams estimate that each level is reached with the following guided learning hours: A2, 180–200; B1, 350–400; B2, 500–600; C1, 700–800, and C2, 1,000–1,200.
However, a B2 user is able to understand and be understood in most situations. To put this into perspective, users holding a B2 level are eligible for employment positions requiring higher levels of education (e.g. a lawyer). So, suffice to say this is a very good level.
B2 | Upper Intermediate
At the B2 CEFR level, a language learner can: Understand the main ideas of a complex text such as a technical piece related to their field. Spontaneously interact without too much strain for either the learner or the native speaker.
Level B1 indicates a more intermediate speaker who can hold basic conversations and understand simple texts. Level B2 is considered advanced, and speakers at this level can participate in complex conversations and understand long and difficult texts.
A B2 First qualification shows that you can:
communicate effectively face-to-face, expressing opinions and presenting arguments. follow the news. write clear, detailed English, expressing opinions and explaining the advantages and disadvantages of different points of view.
Level C1 corresponds to proficient users of the language, i.e. those able to perform complex tasks related to work and study.
Is there much difference between the exams? The answer is yes! You will need to work a lot harder and be serious about your preparation for the C1 Advanced exam. While the B2 First shows you have a good grounding in English, the C1 Advanced is closer to the level of a native speaker.
If you are on a comfortable B2 level, and want to move it to C1, I suggest that you start using the language to learn new things with online courses. For example, you can use the website www.udemy.com. It has a lot of free courses about everything, any topic that can possibly interest you will probably be there.
If B2 is what many consider “fluent,” then C1 is fluency with increased nuance and understanding. At C1, you can understand subtle jokes in the language, and express yourself with colorful native phrases. When you reach C1, you should have a working vocabulary of about 8000 words – almost double that of B2!
Level B2: Basic Fluency
Reaching B2 is generally considered by most people as having basic fluency. You'll have a working vocabulary of around 4000 words.
As you go up the levels, you need more hours to get to the next one. To get from A1 to A2, it typically requires 100-150 hours of guided learning, but it can take 180-260 hours to get from B1 to B2.
Long answer: B1 means you can get by in most day to day situations, but "fluent" means different things to different people. For me, it means "no difficulty", and for that, I'd think you'd need C1 bare minimum, and even then I would hesitate if someone asked me if I was fluent.