Getting Started with English

CEFR A1 • Beginner • Your first steps in English

What is CEFR A1?

A1 is the first level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). At this level, you can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases. You can introduce yourself and others, and ask and answer questions about personal details such as where you live, people you know, and things you have.

Lesson 1: Greetings and Introductions

Basic Greetings

These are the most common ways to greet someone in English:

EnglishWhen to UseFormality
HelloAny timeNeutral
HiAny timeInformal
Good morningBefore noonFormal/Neutral
Good afternoonAfter noon, before eveningFormal/Neutral
Good eveningEvening hoursFormal/Neutral
Goodbye / ByeWhen leavingNeutral / Informal

Introducing Yourself

Use these sentence patterns to introduce yourself:

Pattern: "My name is _____." / "I am _____."

Example: "Hello! My name is Maria. I am from Brazil."

Pattern: "Nice to meet you."

Response: "Nice to meet you too."

Asking Questions

  • What is your name? — "My name is ___."
  • Where are you from? — "I am from ___."
  • How are you? — "I am fine, thank you. And you?"
  • Do you speak English? — "Yes, a little." / "I am learning."

Lesson 2: Numbers 1-20

Tap to flip
1 - 5
Tap to see words

1 = one • 2 = two • 3 = three

4 = four • 5 = five

Tap to flip
6 - 10
Tap to see words

6 = six • 7 = seven • 8 = eight

9 = nine • 10 = ten

Tap to flip
11 - 15
Tap to see words

11 = eleven • 12 = twelve • 13 = thirteen

14 = fourteen • 15 = fifteen

Tap to flip
16 - 20
Tap to see words

16 = sixteen • 17 = seventeen • 18 = eighteen

19 = nineteen • 20 = twenty

Lesson 3: Colors

Colors are some of the first words every English learner should know. They are used in everyday descriptions.

Red
Blue
Green
Yellow
Orange
Purple
White
Black
Brown
Pink

Lesson 4: Basic Sentence Structure

English sentences follow a basic pattern: Subject + Verb + Object (SVO)

Subject = Who or what does the action

Verb = The action

Object = Who or what receives the action

Examples:

  • I (subject) eat (verb) breakfast (object).
  • She (subject) reads (verb) a book (object).
  • They (subject) play (verb) soccer (object).

The Verb "To Be"

The most important verb in English:

SubjectVerbExample
IamI am a student.
YouareYou are my friend.
He / She / ItisShe is a teacher.
WeareWe are happy.
TheyareThey are from Japan.