Learn English A2, beyond the basics
You already know the essentials. Now you'll talk about the past, make plans, compare things, and handle everyday phone calls and messages in English.
Try the first unit freeHow long does this level take? 6-8 weeks
What does A2 mean in English?
A2 is the second of the six levels of the CEFR (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) and the upper part of the “basic user” range. In English, an A2 speaker understands sentences and frequently used expressions about things that matter directly to them — personal and family information, shopping, work, the area where they live — and can handle simple, routine exchanges and describe their background and surroundings in simple terms.
In practice, A2 is where English stops being only survival phrases. You can book an appointment, explain a simple problem at a pharmacy or a bank, talk about your day in the past tense, make plans, and write a short message or email. It is also the step before B1, the level of independent everyday English.
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A2 vs B1: what actually changes
| Skill | A2 | B1 |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | Short, simple conversations on familiar, routine topics, often with help from the other person. | You cope with most situations while travelling and can give opinions, reasons and short explanations. |
| Listening | The main point of short, clear messages and announcements. | The main points of clear, standard speech on familiar topics. |
| Reading | Short, simple texts; you find specific information in notices, menus and timetables. | Texts on everyday and work topics, with the main ideas and events understood. |
| Writing | Short, simple notes and messages. | Simple connected text on familiar topics, and personal letters about experiences and plans. |
| Grammar | The past simple, comparatives, “going to” and “will”, “must” and “should”. | The present perfect, first and second conditionals, the passive and relative clauses. |
Who needs English A2?
A2 is a milestone on the way to B1 for most learners, but it already opens real doors.
Travellers who want independence
At A2 you manage hotels, transport, restaurants and shops without help, and you can make small talk.
People in simple customer-facing roles
Some employers accept basic English for simple customer-facing tasks. Ask the employer what they actually need.
Learners heading to B1
Most study and work goals start at B1 or B2, so A2 is the last basic step before them.
People who want a first certificate
A2 is the level of the first main Cambridge exam, which many learners take as a motivating goal.
Exams around A2
Most universities and employers ask for B1 or higher, so an A2 exam is usually a personal milestone. Some immigration routes name specific tests at this level, so always check the official requirement.
Cambridge A2 Key
The first main Cambridge exam, with reading, writing, listening and speaking at A2 level.
IELTS and TOEFL iBT
Designed for higher levels, roughly B1 and above, so they are not usually taken at A2.
Lerniyo’s A2 mock exam
At the end of the level, a mock exam in the style of IELTS and Cambridge covers listening, reading, writing and speaking. It prepares you, but it is not an official certificate.
Lerniyo's exam is built in the style of internationally recognized exams (IELTS, Cambridge) — it is not an official registration with any of those institutes. The Lerniyo certificate is a completion certificate for our own curriculum.
What you study in English A2: grammar
A2 adds the structures that let you talk about the past and the future, compare things and give advice.
- The past simple
- “I visited my aunt.” “She went to Rabat.” You learn regular and irregular verbs and the questions with “did”.
- Present simple and present continuous
- “I work every day.” “I am working now.”
- The future: going to and will
- “I’m going to study tonight.” “I will call you tomorrow.”
- Comparatives and superlatives
- “bigger than”, “more expensive”, “the best”, “the cheapest”.
- Countable and uncountable nouns
- “How many bags?” “How much water?” “some” and “any”.
- Must, should and have to
- “You should see a doctor.” “I have to leave at six.”
- Adverbs of frequency
- “I always walk to work.” “She never eats meat.”
- Object pronouns
- “Call me.” “I can help them.”
Mistakes to avoid at A2
- Making up past forms: “goed” instead of “went”. Learn the common irregular verbs by heart.
- Putting the past on both verbs in a question: “Did you went?” After “did”, the verb stays in its base form: “Did you go?”
- Dropping “do” in negatives: “He don’t like it”. It is “He doesn’t like it”.
- Saying “I have 25 years” because of the French “j’ai 25 ans”. In English it is “I am 25”.
- Mixing up “much” and “many”: “many” for things you can count, “much” for things you cannot.
- Using the wrong preposition with days and times: “in Monday”. It is “on Monday” and “at six”.
A realistic study plan for A2
Lerniyo’s A2 track is planned as about 6 to 8 weeks at 15 to 20 minutes a day. That is only an estimate. A simple weekly rhythm:
- 1
Revise the A1 words and add situations
Keep the A1 words alive with spaced repetition, and add words for appointments, work, travel and free time.
- 2
Learn the past simple by telling your day
Say what you did yesterday, in short sentences, out loud, and note the irregular verbs you miss.
- 3
Practise one grammar point a week
For example the past simple, then the future, then comparatives, each with short exercises.
- 4
Listen to slow, clear English
Short dialogues, learner podcasts and your lesson audio. Repeat aloud after the speaker.
- 5
Speak with Nour
Practise appointments, shopping and small talk out loud. Making mistakes while speaking is how A2 becomes automatic.
What you'll be able to do after A2
- Talk about your daily routine and things you did in the past
- Make plans and talk about the near future
- Compare things: bigger, cheaper, better
- Handle a phone call in English
- Describe your job, studies, and family in more detail
- Write a short, simple email or message
What you'll do every day
Vocabulary
Work, travel, hobbies, and everyday objects
Grammar
Past simple, 'going to' for the future, and comparatives
Listening
Everyday conversations at a natural-ish pace
Speaking
Short exchanges and phone-style dialogues
Sample sentences you'll learn in A2
I went to the market yesterday.
Past simple with 'went' — an irregular verb.
This phone is cheaper than that one.
Comparative with '-er' for short adjectives.
I'm going to visit my family next week.
'Going to' + verb talks about a plan.
Can I speak to Mr. Amrani, please?
A polite phone phrase to ask for someone.
Booking a hotel room
Hello, is this the Atlas Hotel?
Hello, is this the Atlas Hotel?
Yes, how can I help you?
Yes, how can I help you?
I'd like to book a room for two nights.
I'd like to book a room for two nights.
Sure, what's your name, please?
Sure, what's your name, please?
What will you learn in English A2?
- Past simple, regular and irregular verbs
- The future with 'going to'
- Comparatives and superlatives
- Prepositions of time and place
- Daily routines
- Travel and transport
- Phone calls and short emails
- Countable and uncountable nouns
- Modal verbs: can, could, should
- Describing people and places
- Connectors: because, but, so
Learn English A2 with Lerniyo
Most apps explain grammar using confusing jargon or a third language, adding difficulty on top of difficulty. Lerniyo explains everything in a language you actually understand, so you focus on English, not on decoding the explanation.
English A2: frequently asked questions
What does A2 mean in English?
A2 is the second CEFR level. You understand frequently used expressions about everyday matters, handle simple routine conversations and write short, simple messages.
How long does it take to reach A2?
About 6 to 8 weeks of study after A1, which is roughly 3 to 4 months from zero with consistent daily practice, according to Lerniyo’s estimates.
What is the difference between A2 and B1?
At A2 you manage short, routine conversations. At B1 you cope with most situations while travelling, give opinions and reasons, and use the present perfect, conditionals and the passive.
Is A2 enough to work or study abroad?
A2 is enough for daily life and some simple roles, but most study programs and skilled jobs ask for B1 or B2. Check the requirement of your target.
Which A2 exam should I take?
The common one is Cambridge A2 Key. Many learners skip an A2 exam and go straight to the exam their goal asks for, such as IELTS.
Can I skip A2 and go from A1 to B1?
Not without risk. A2 teaches the past simple, the future and comparatives, which B1 assumes. If you are unsure, take the free level test and start where it places you.
Can I learn English A2 in Arabic or Darija?
Lerniyo explains grammar and vocabulary in your own language, which makes A2 much easier to follow, and Nour gives you speaking practice with feedback.
Does Lerniyo replace the official exam?
No. Lerniyo prepares you with A2-style lessons and mock exams, but it is not an exam center. To get a certificate you must register for an official exam such as Cambridge, IELTS or TOEFL.
Keep going
After A2 comes B1
See B1