Learn English at all levels in the historic city of Canterbury
Country of origin
Saudi Arabia
"The School was recommended to me by my uncle because it has good teachers and a good study atmosphere. All the staff are helpful and you feel that you are in safe hands.My English has really improved here and I hope to do well in the FCE and IELTS exams. My plan is to go to university in England."
Your English level
On your first day with us you will take a placement test. This assesses your knowledge of grammar and vocabulary, and how well you are able to understand and speak English.
As a rough indication, the table below describes the levels of skill that you may already have or be aiming for and what opportunities each level provides. It also shows the exam level. For more information on the different types of exam visit the English examinations page.
English level |
Qualification level |
Where it can take you |
| Proficiency You use a range of language close to that in your own language; you have no problems understanding or communicating. You now wish to extend your vocabulary and explore the nuances of idiomatic English. |
IELTS: 7.5+ TOEIC: 900+ Cambridge: CPE TOEFL: 250+ (CB) |
Postgraduate university degree Senior level work in English-speaking environment |
| Advanced You express yourself clearly and effectively. You have a sound grasp of major tenses and grammatical structures. You read widely and can follow the majority of what you hear on TV, radio and film. |
IELTS: 6.5-7.5 TOEIC: 800-900 Cambridge: CAE TOEFL: 233-250 (CB) |
University degree/diploma Entry into English-speaking job market |
| Upper Intermediate You can communicate effectively in most situations, discussing and expressing opinions on a wide range of topics. You will continue to broaden your vocabulary to become more fluent and accurate. |
IELTS: 5.5-6.5 TOEIC: 650-800 Cambridge: FCE TOEFL: 193-233 (CB) |
Some university degrees/diplomas Some English in workplace |
| Intermediate You are a confident speaker and understand much of what you read and hear. You have a reasonable vocabulary and can survive well in most situations. You now need to become more fluent and accurate, use more complex structures and sophisticated vocabulary. |
IELTS: 4.5-5.5 TOEIC: 450-650 Cambridge: PET TOEFL: 133-193 (CB) |
University Foundation programme at CATS Cambridge, CATS Canterbury |
| Pre-intermediate You can communicate well in everyday social and travel situations and understand some of what is said to you. You are familiar with basic grammar but need to develop this further. You need to build your vocabulary and listening skills. |
IELTS: 3.5-4.5 TOEIC: 300-450 TOEFL: 63-133 (CB) |
Social situations Travel and tourism |
| Elementary You have a small, basic vocabulary and can communicate on a simple level. You can survive in everyday situations such as shopping, greeting and travelling. You make a lot of mistakes but can make people understand you. |
IELTS: 3.0 TOEIC: 150-300 |
Shopping Simple travel and tourism |
| Beginner You only know a few words of English. |
IELTS: 1-2 TOEIC: 10-150 |