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:
| English | When to Use | Formality |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Any time | Neutral |
| Hi | Any time | Informal |
| Good morning | Before noon | Formal/Neutral |
| Good afternoon | After noon, before evening | Formal/Neutral |
| Good evening | Evening hours | Formal/Neutral |
| Goodbye / Bye | When leaving | Neutral / 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
1 = one • 2 = two • 3 = three
4 = four • 5 = five
6 = six • 7 = seven • 8 = eight
9 = nine • 10 = ten
11 = eleven • 12 = twelve • 13 = thirteen
14 = fourteen • 15 = fifteen
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.
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:
| Subject | Verb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | am | I am a student. |
| You | are | You are my friend. |
| He / She / It | is | She is a teacher. |
| We | are | We are happy. |
| They | are | They are from Japan. |