English
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Net Languages offers seven levels of online General English – Essential courses, ranging from Pre-Elementary (A1 ‐ A2) to Advanced (C1 ‐ C2). Each complete level contains between 100 and 130 hours of study time. Students can sign up for a complete level (10 units) or half a level (Part A, units 1-5, or Part B, units 6-10). Each unit is designed around a topic and is divided into 13 sections. These sections include reading, vocabulary, grammar, listening, pronunciation practice, functional and practical English, and more. Language is presented and practised through guided discovery exercises, clear explanations and constructive feedback.
Sample materials
Unit structure
1. Start
Get an introduction to the theme of the unit with fun activities, games and exercises.
2. Reading
The reading text is the basis of each unit. Read about the theme, think and comment.
3. Vocabulary
Increase your vocabulary in this section with everything you need to talk and write about the theme.
4. Grammar
Improve your grammar in this section with exercises, games and activities.
5. Listening
Listen to a variety of speakers talking about the theme of the unit.
6. Mid-Unit Review
Test your progress in the unit in this section.
7. Forum
Use the Virtual School to talk to other students around the world, and share your experiences and opinions.
8. Takeaway English
Learn practical language skills for different situations such as travel, hotels and socialising.
9. Pronunciation
Each level has a complete pronunciation course. Record yourself doing the exercises, and send them to your tutor.
10. Net Search
Find out more about the theme of the unit, and share your news and opinions with other Net Languages students.
11. Review
The review section gives you some revision activities to consolidate what you have learnt.
12. Test
Test your progress in the unit in this section.
13. Feedback
In the feedback section you can tell us what you thought of the unit and help us to make our courses even better.
Test your computer
Check you have the correct software installed on your computer.
Level test
You can do this level test free of charge and with no obligation to do a course. When you finish the level test, please try a free sample class at your level.
Level system
| General English courses | Common European Framework |
University of Cambridge ESOL exams |
IELTS | TOEFL (paper) |
TOEFL (computer) |
TOEIC | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced (C1 ‐ C2) | C1 - C2 Proficient user | CAE (BEC 3) | 6.0 - 7.0 | 560 - 600 | 220 - 250 | 900+ | |
| Pre-Advanced (B2+ ‐ C1) | B2+ Independent user - C1 Proficient user | 5.5 - 6.0 | 520 - 560 | 190 - 220 | 800 - 900 | ||
| Upper Intermediate (B2 ‐ B2+) | B2 - B2+ Independent user | FCE (BEC 2) | 5.0 - 5.5 | 480 - 520 | 160 - 190 | 725 - 800 | |
| Mid-Intermediate (B1+ ‐ B2) | B1+ - B2 Independent user | 440 - 480 | 130 - 160 | 605 - 725 | |||
| Lower Intermediate (B1 ‐ B1+) | B1 - B1+ Independent user | PET (BEC 1) | 400 - 440 | 100 - 130 | 405 - 600 | ||
| Elementary (A2 ‐ B1) | A2 Basic user- B1 Independent user | KET | 255 - 400 | ||||
| Pre-Elementary (A1 ‐ A2) | A1 - A2 Basic user | ||||||
Pre-Elementary (A1 ‐ A2)
This is the start of your journey. Learn basic English, including numbers, the alphabet and essential vocabulary. Very soon you will be able to:
- find specific information on leaflets and timetables.
- understand and make simple sentences.
- introduce yourself and speak about yourself, your family and where you are from.
- speak about your day-to-day life, your plans for the future and things that you did in the past.
At the end of the course you will be able to ask for information, go shopping, go to a restaurant and write simple emails – all in English!
Elementary (A2 ‐ B1)
If you have studied English for a year or so, this could be the right course for you! After finishing this course you will be able to:
- talk about where you live, and compare it to other places.
- describe your daily life, occupation or studies, and talk about your interests and hobbies.
- give opinions and speculate about the world around you.
- understand and give instructions to describe how something is done.
At the end of this course you will have everything under control when you plan your next trip to London or New York, or when an English-speaking friend comes to visit you!
Lower Intermediate (B1 ‐ B1+)
If you pass the Lower Intermediate course, it means you will:
- be able to express yourself on familiar topics such as family, hobbies and jobs.
- have enough vocabulary to communicate in everyday familiar situations.
- be able to initiate and maintain a simple face-to-face conversation on the topics that interest you, such as hobbies or jobs.
- understand texts which contain everyday or job-related language and write simple texts on familiar topics.
- understand the main points of simple "standard" speech on familiar matters.
You're not quite ready to apply for your dream job in the United States, but you're getting there.
Mid-Intermediate (B1+ ‐ B2)
After you've finished your Mid-Intermediate course you will:
- have sufficient knowledge of the language to describe common situations, and be able to present the main points of an idea and describe events in a simple manner.
- be able to understand general texts which express ideas in a straightforward way and write personal letters which describe events, desires and feelings.
- have the ability to formulate long pieces of continuous writing with details and factual information, or a description of simple events.
- be able to understand longer stretches of speech and more complex messages in a familiar context.
You are not fluent yet, but you will dare to talk to strangers in exotic places!
Upper Intermediate (B2 ‐ B2+)
If you successfully complete the Upper Intermediate course, you will:
- have a sufficient knowledge of the language to describe people, places and processes, and express opinions and develop arguments using both basic structures and some complex forms.
- have a wide range of vocabulary for general topics and your job.
- be able to contribute to group discussions and maintain a conversation with native speakers.
- understand reports and articles about contemporary issues.
- be able to present an argument or information in writing following standard layout conventions.
- understand longer stretches of speech and the main points of discussions which are clearly expressed.
You are now at the point where you start amazing yourself with the amount of English you can understand – and express.
Pre-Advanced (B2+ ‐ C1)
At this level you are able to confidently express yourself in English. At the end of the course you will:
- be able to understand virtually all conversations as well as many television programmes and films.
- understand most complex factual and literary texts as well as texts on fields that you are not familiar with.
- be able to communicate effectively in different situations as well as use a wide range of vocabulary.
- be able to write clear and well-structured texts in an appropriate style.
You are well on your way to being able to consider working in an English-speaking country.
Advanced (C1 ‐ C2)
You are now starting to think and dream in English. Upon successfully finishing the Advanced course, you will have:
- a wide range of language to select from in order to express yourself.
- a good command of idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms.
- the ability to use the language effectively for social purposes and adjust the register accordingly.
- the ability to express yourself orally in a clear, fluent and well-structured manner.
- an understanding of long and complex factual and literary texts.
- the ability to note differences in style.
- no problems writing about complex subjects in a clearly organised, coherent way, and understanding the majority of spoken language in virtually all contexts.
You are now extremely confident when speaking and writing. You don't really think about how to say things - you just say them.