English as a second language

English Level Self-Assessment Form

This English level self-assessment gives you a rough level before the first lesson. For speaking, listening, reading and writing, learners pick the "I can..." sentence that sounds most like them, then say what feels hardest.

7 questions2 steps

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Try the form

This is the real form, the way a learner will see it. Fill it in and click through: nothing you type is sent or saved.

What's included

7 questions in 2 steps. Every one can be edited, removed or reordered.

1About you2 questions

Full name requiredShort answer
Email requiredEmail

2Your skills5 questions

For each skill, pick the sentence that sounds most like you. There are no wrong answers.Text for the reader
Speaking requiredI can say a few words and simple phrases., I can talk about everyday things, slowly and simply., I can join most conversations, with some mistakes., I can speak easily about almost anything.Pick one
Listening requiredI understand a few words when people speak slowly., I understand simple, clear everyday speech., I understand most conversations and TV shows on familiar topics., I understand almost everything, even fast speech.Pick one
Reading requiredI can read simple words and signs., I can read short texts like messages and menus., I can read articles and emails on familiar topics., I can read almost anything, even long or complex texts.Pick one
Writing requiredI can write my name and a few simple words., I can write short, simple messages., I can write clear emails on familiar topics., I can write detailed, well-organized texts with few mistakes.Pick one
What feels hardest right now?Paragraph

Who it's for and when to use it

Use it with new English learners before lesson one, or before placing someone in a group. Each skill has four sentences from beginner to advanced, like "I can talk about everyday things, slowly and simply" or "I can speak easily about almost anything", so learners describe what they can do rather than guess a label.

It's quick and low-stress. There are no right or wrong answers, and the intro text says so, which matters for adults who are nervous about being tested. Most learners finish it in three or four minutes.

It's a starting point, not an official test. Use it with the adult English learner intake, and repeat it every few months, or use the monthly learner self-review to track how confidence grows.

How to use it in 3 steps

Pick the template
Click Use this template, or choose “English level self-assessment” under New form in Bear Forms. All the questions are already there.
Make it yours
Every question is ready to use as it is. Change, add or remove any of them to fit how you work.
Share the link
Publish, then send the link by email or text, put it in your Instagram bio or Google Business Profile, or paste two lines of code to show it on your website.

Tips for better responses

Look for uneven skills. Many learners read well but struggle to speak, or the other way round. Plan lessons around the weakest skill they chose.
Read "what feels hardest" first. The open question often names the real problem, like phone calls or fast native speakers.
Use it to form groups. Export responses to a CSV file and sort by speaking answer to put learners with similar levels together.
Repeat it after three months. Seeing their own answers move up a sentence is a powerful motivator for adult learners.

Make it your own

Need an official level? Follow up with a short speaking task in the first lesson, or a placement test, to confirm the level.
Exam students? Pair it with the exam prep goals form for IELTS or TOEFL learners.
Other languages? Translate the sentences and the form works for Spanish, French or any language you teach.

Guide: How to Onboard New Tutoring Students

Frequently asked questions

How can I check a learner's English level before the first lesson?

Ask them to fill in a short self-assessment. This form lists four "I can..." sentences for each skill, speaking, listening, reading and writing, and learners pick the one that fits. It gives a rough level in about four minutes.

Is a self-assessment accurate?

It's a useful rough guide, not an exact level. Learners describe what they can do, which is often close, but some rate themselves too high or too low. Confirm with a short speaking task in the first lesson.

What are "I can" statements?

They're short descriptions of real-life abilities, like "I can read short texts like messages and menus". Learners find them easier to judge than level names like intermediate.

Can I use it to place learners in groups?

Yes. Export the responses to a CSV file and sort by each skill to put learners of similar levels in the same group or class.

Does the form work on phones?

Yes. Most parents open forms on their phones, so the form fits any screen size. Multi-step forms show a progress bar, and file uploads work from a phone's camera roll.

Is there a free version of Bear Forms?

No, there's no free plan, but you can try the full form builder at bearforms.com/demo without signing up. When you're ready, Solo is $4 a month and Pro is $15 a month, and your first payment has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it with real families risk-free.

Do I need any technical skills to use this template?

No. You change questions by clicking on them, and you can drag them into a new order. There's no code to write. If you can fill in a form, you can edit this one, and publishing it is one button.

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Start with the english level self-assessment template

Get a rough English level in every skill before you plan the first lesson.