A1 Breakthrough (Beginner)

The A1 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is the lowest level of generative language use – the point at which the learner can interact in a simple way, ask and answer simple questions about themselves, where they live, people they know, and things they have, initiate and respond to simple statements in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics, rather than relying purely on a very finite rehearsed, lexically-organised repertoire of situation-specific phrases.

Students at this level can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. They can introduce themselves and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where they live, people they know and things they have. They can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

Now we will look at 12 grammar points you might find yourself teaching at this level. This list of grammar points is a sample for this level and by no means a complete list.

For each of the 12 sample sentences (a) – (l) below, match the sample sentence with one of the grammar points (1) – (12) in the list below the sentence.

Here are 12 grammar points you might find yourself teaching at this level.

This list of grammar points is a sample for this level and by no means a complete list.

1. Singular & Plural Nouns
2. Countable & Uncountable Nouns
3. Present Simple
4. Present Continuous
5. Prepositions
6. Comparatives/Superlatives
7. Pronouns & Possessive Adjectives
8. Past Simple
9. Future Tenses
10. Conjunctions
11. There is/ There are
12. Question Words

Choose from the drop-down menus the grammar point which each example (in capital letters) illustrates:

We have chosen one of these grammar points to focus on: the present simple tense

Presentation

We use the present simple to talk about:

• What we do everyday: I have breakfast at 7:30 a.m.

• Facts: Water boils at 100 degrees

The present simple is formed in the following way:

Affirmative:

I/you/we/they drink coffee
He/she/it drinks water

Negative:

I/you/we/they don’t drink coffee
He/she/it doesn’t drink water

Questions:

Do you drink coffee?
Does he/she/it drink water?

Practice

Complete the sentences below using the correct form of the verb in brackets: