A2 and A2.2

The A2 band is often divided unofficially, but for very good reasons, into two levels, Basic A2 (or A2.1), and Upper A2, or A2.2.
 ►  For a general presentation of CEFR "A2" level, see  ► A2 English

The importance of A2.2

The A2.2 grading takes account of four fundamental facts of learning English:

• 1. That there is a big difference in language skills between "A2" students just coming up from A1 level, and those ready to progress to B1 level.
• 2. That "A2" does not have to mean the same for a class of eleven-year-olds, a class of sixteen-year olds, and a group of middle-aged adults. Though each group may technically be at A2 level, the cognitive maturity and linguistic awareness of an 11-year-old and an adult in an evening class are in most cases vastly different.... 
• 3. That a lot of supposedly "difficult" vocabulary (banished from strict A2 texts) is not actually difficult at all, notably for more mature learners, and those who are native speakers of another European language.
• 4. That adhering strictly to A2 level standards can be counterproductive with students who are keen to move on, and able to do so.

In a nutshell, A2.2 texts use or introduce more vocabulary and slightly longer or less simple sentences, in order to break out of the simple, and for many teachers and learners, un-naturally simplistic language constraints of strict A2. Some B1 level structures may be used, when the context is clear.

  Regarding vocabulary, proper nouns, like Chelea or  Shakespeare or Chicago, and a lot of supposedly diffcult vocabulary such as station, royal, official, absurd, analyse, kingdom, etc. present no difficulty for reasonably literate adolescents or adult readers, whatever their native language may be. Words that are identical or similar or familiar across many different languages, need no explaining, and do not usually appear in the vocabulary guides for A2 texts on Linguapress.. Other less familiar words are explained.

Take for example the word absurd, which CEFR analysis tools class as being a C1 level word.  To exclude the word absurd from an A2 level class on this basis would be 😦 an absurdity..... given that the word is indentical or very similar in countless other languages - where it is absurd / absurdo / absurde / assurdo /  abszurd, абсурд,  and so on. And there are hundreds more words like this

   As for grammar and structures, strict adherence to A2 level structures may be advisable with some A2 level classes, particularly with students who have just progressed from A1, but after a while it will often become a restraint, holding students back rather than encouraging them to move forwards and discover new features of language. Thus A2.2 level texts will not hesitate to use B1-level structures, even B2 structures, where these are in fairly self-explanatory contexts, and add useful or stimulating detail that could not be included without them.

   To progress well in English, most learners need to face some reasonably challenging tasks. Challenges are motivating, and motivation is the mainspring of education. Adding the .2 to A2 is a way of challenging students to think and to move into new territory. It is up to the teacher to explain points of language as required – but what is required will be determined by the nature and native language(s) of students in a given class.

 Distinguishing between A2.2 level texts and low B1 level texts is not easy, and is sometimes pointless. The level of difficulty will depend largely on the students concerned... on the teacher, and in many cases on the interaction between teacher and students. Even if some national or international education boards or assessment programmes may be more prescriptive, it is important to remember that the CEFR is action-oriented, language-neutral, and descriptive, not prescriptive. It does not prescribe a list of grammar, let alone vocabulary, for each language, nor for each level. And for good reason.

Some A2.2 texts on Linguapress.com

 
   Check out some A2 reading resources (with audio and interactive exercises)  ️

• Liverpool, Britain's music city  -  An A2.2 level text, with interactive exercises and   audio
• Edinburgh, capital of culture  -  An A2.2 level text, with interactive exercises and audio
• J.K.Rowling -  the creator of Harry Potter, with   audio
• Route 66 - the "Mother road"  -  An A2.2 level text, with interactive exercises and  audio
• Martin Luther King with   audio
• The story of Football .... 

and more   
  
   The general Linguapress intermediate English reading resources directory includes resources from A2 level to B1

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