What Is My Child’s English Level? A 3-Minute Parent Check
An interactive 12-point check to estimate your child’s English level and compare it with the Cambridge Starters, Movers and Flyers stages.
Quick answer: You do not need a test to get a rough idea of your child’s English level; look at what they can do. A child who can say their name and age and understands simple questions is around Pre-A1 (Cambridge Starters). One who answers questions about everyday life in short sentences is around A1 (Movers), and one who can talk about things they have done is around A2 (Flyers). The 12-point check below is an estimate; a teacher’s observation confirms the real starting level.
2026-10-16 · Stayeng parent guide
Key points
- A child’s level shows in what they can do with the language, not in their age.
- Cambridge’s qualifications for children have three stages: Pre A1 Starters, A1 Movers and A2 Flyers.
- Understanding often comes before speaking; a quiet child is not necessarily a low-level child.
- This check is not a test; a teacher’s observation in a trial lesson gives a more reliable picture.
3-minute level check
Tick what your child can do on their own, without help. If you are not sure, leave it unticked; the result updates as you go.
- Understands and answers greetings such as “Hello!” and “What’s your name?”.
- Names colours, numbers 1–10 and a few animals in English.
- Says their name and age in English: “I’m Can. I’m seven.”
- Follows short instructions: “Sit down.”, “Show me the cat.”
- Describes their daily routine in short sentences: “I get up at seven.”
- Asks simple questions: “Where is my bag?”, “Can I play?”
- Follows a short picture story on a familiar topic.
- Says what they like and do not like: “I like football. I don’t like fish.”
- Tells you what they did last weekend: “I played with my cousin.”
- Compares two things: “My dog is bigger than your cat.”
- Reads a short text of a few sentences and tells you the main idea.
- Writes a simple note: “Dear Grandma, thank you for the book.”
Results
- Getting to know English: They are meeting their first words. The first goal is to listen and understand through songs, pictures and games, and to feel comfortable.
- Around Pre-A1 (Cambridge Starters): They know basic words and greetings. Next step: moving from single words to short sentences (“I like…”, “I have…”).
- Around A1 (Cambridge Movers): They make short sentences about everyday topics. Next step: asking their own questions and retelling small stories in their own words.
- Around A2 (Cambridge Flyers): They talk about past events and understand short texts. Next step: longer conversations, giving reasons for opinions and short pieces of writing.
This check is not an official test and does not give a definite result about your child. A teacher who observes your child’s speaking and understanding confirms the real starting level.
Put this guide into practice
- I ticked the 12 statements with my child in mind.
- I tried one statement I was unsure about as a game (for example, “How old are you?”).
- I noted the result together with one sentence my child said.
- I shared my notes with the teacher or in a trial lesson.
Can you read the level clues?
Three short situations. Choose the best interpretation; the explanation appears straight away.
A child can say “I’m seven.” but cannot describe their daily routine. Which range is most likely?
- A2
- Pre-A1
- B1
Answer and explanation
Pre-A1: Saying your name and age is a Pre-A1 Starters skill; describing everyday life in short sentences points to A1.
Which tells you least about a child’s level?
- Their age
- A sentence they make without help
- Whether they understand a simple question
Answer and explanation
Their age: Children of the same age can be at very different levels; age alone does not show level.
Your child understands questions but does not answer in English. What should you think?
- Their level is zero
- Understanding can develop before speaking
- They should stop lessons
Answer and explanation
Understanding can develop before speaking: Many children understand first. Short questions with choices help them start speaking.
How is a child’s English level defined?
The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) describes language ability in stages from A1 to C2. For children, the most common first stages are Pre-A1, A1 and A2. Cambridge English’s qualifications for ages 6–12, Pre A1 Starters, A1 Movers and A2 Flyers, match these three stages.
What defines the level is not age or years of lessons but what the child can do with the language: do they understand, give short answers, or build their own sentences?
What is the difference between Pre-A1, A1 and A2?
Cambridge English summarises the stages like this: at Starters level children can spell their name and say how old they are, at Movers level they can answer questions about their everyday life, and at Flyers level they can talk about things they have done.
- Pre-A1 (Starters): greets people, says their name and age, recognises basic words such as colours and numbers.
- A1 (Movers): answers questions about everyday life in short sentences and asks simple questions.
- A2 (Flyers): talks about past events, reads short texts and writes simple notes.
How should you use the checklist?
Tick the statements in one sitting, without making it feel like a test. Try anything you are unsure about as a game: ask “How old are you?” with a puppet, or ask your child to compare two toys.
Count only what they can do without help. Finishing a sentence you started is a good step, but it is not yet independent use.
Tip: note the result with one example sentence. “I like pizza.” tells you more than an “A1” label on its own.
Three things that can mislead your estimate
A check at home can sometimes make a child look lower or higher than their real level.
- Shyness: a child who does not talk to new people can seem lower than they are.
- Memorised chunks: phrases learned from songs do not always mean the child can use them in any situation.
- School marks: good results in written tests do not always reflect speaking level.
What should come next for each result?
A level is a map, not a label. For a Pre-A1 child the goal may be moving from one-word to two-word answers; for an A1 child, asking questions; for an A2 child, explaining an opinion with a reason.
In Stayeng’s free 25-minute trial lesson, the teacher observes your child’s understanding and speaking and shares the starting level and first goals with you.
Want to bring this practice into a one-to-one lesson?
Choose an activity from this guide to discuss with your teacher. For regular lessons, compare package lesson counts, lesson lengths and total prices. If you would like to meet a teacher first, choose a free trial.
Frequently asked questions
How can I find out my child’s English level for free?
Use the 12-point check on this page for a rough estimate. For a more reliable result you need a teacher who observes your child’s speaking and understanding; Stayeng’s 25-minute trial lesson is free and needs no card.
What English level should a seven-year-old have?
There is no single level a child “should” have at a given age. How long and how often they have been exposed to English matters most. A child who has just started at school may be Pre-A1, while one with regular lessons may be A1.
What does Pre-A1 mean?
Pre-A1 is the first stage before A1 on the CEFR. A child at this level understands greetings and basic words such as colours, numbers and animals, and can say their name and age. Cambridge’s Pre A1 Starters qualification matches this level.
Does my child have to take Starters, Movers or Flyers?
No. These qualifications are an option for families who want to see progress. Decide based on the teacher’s observation and whether your child feels ready, not on age.
My child understands but does not speak. Is their level low?
No. Understanding usually develops before speaking. Tick the understanding statements in the check and start speaking practice with short questions that offer choices.