How to Get an English Language Certificate

Learning English is one of the hardest — but most rewarding — things you could do. Every time you make progress in English, it’s a huge achievement, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner. You should be proud of your hard work and determination.

Naturally, you want to share your English progress with friends, family, your school, or your work. To do this, you need an English language certification.

It’s not just about showing off your progress though. An English certification has real-world benefits because language skills are more important than ever in business and education. Businesses need people who speak more than one language. With your new English skills, you become valuable to companies — if you can prove your skills and knowledge.

In this article, learn how you can prove your English language level and leave no doubt about your skills and knowledge.

What is an English certification?

An English language certification is an official document that clearly shows your English level, skills, and knowledge. Immigration authorities, schools, universities, and companies need to confirm your English level meets their requirements. The best way to do that is with an English certificate. If you want to live or work in an English-speaking country, you’ll probably need a certificate. But even if you stay in your home country, proving your English ability can lead to better work and education opportunities.

How you can get an English certificate to prove your skills

Let’s break down how you can get an English certification with Busuu.

English certifications are available for the following Busuu courses:

• English levels A1 to C1
• English for Business level C1

These two courses cover everything from ordering food in a restaurant to sending an important business email. Every time you finish a level in one of these two courses, you can get a certification.

Each certificate includes your name, the issue date, your English level according to the CEFR, and a summary of the English skills you’ve shown during the course.

To get an English certificate, first you need to complete all the lessons for that level. Then you need to take — and pass — the End of Level test. This isn’t a stressful or scary test. It reviews the things you learned during that level’s lessons. If you get enough answers correct, you get a shiny new certificate. If you don’t, you can take the test again after 2 weeks.

When you get your certificate, download and share it to show off your progress.

The best app for getting an English certification

With Busuu, it’s super easy to certify your English language knowledge and skills. No matter what your level or goals, there are courses for everyone — from beginner to advanced, and general to business. Finish the lessons in each level, take the End of Level test, and share your certificate.

Whether you’re learning just for fun or want to use English in the workplace, Busuu’s language certifications fit in with your goals. Use them to share your progress and impressive English skills with friends, family, or work. And use them to boost your motivation by showing your progress and how much you’ve already learned.

But let’s say, you struggle to complete a level and get a certification. Don’t worry. Busuu has an online community of millions of language learners and native speakers to connect with, get support and feedback from, and practice with.

4 tips to ace your English language certification

Here are our top tips to help you pass your End of Level English tests and get your certificate.

1. Practice, practice, practice

First, complete all the lessons for each level in the course (English or English for Business). Study the vocabulary and grammar. Make notes. And then practice, practice, practice.

There’s no need to rush here. Practice is the most important step — the more you do, the better. Take the words and structure you learn from the lessons and use them. Connect with people in the Busuu community. Speak with friends. Practice with a tutor. It doesn't matter how you do it, but practice is the key.

2. Get feedback from fellow learners

Here’s why practice is so important: It gives you feedback on your ability. It helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses.

Practice in real-life situations for immediate feedback. Let's say you’ve been studying business meeting vocabulary. The best place to practice this is in a business meeting. Watch how people respond to your use of the new words and grammar. If they understand, you’re getting the hang of it. If they look confused, you’re probably mixing something up.

Reflect on this feedback later. Think about what you did well. And what you struggled with. Try and identify the reasons for this. For example, maybe you used the correct word in the meeting, but people still didn’t understand. This could mean it’s your pronunciation that’s causing the issue.

When you learn with Busuu, you also get access to an online community of language learners and native speakers. This is another great place to get feedback. Record yourself speaking, or write something and share it. The community can give you feedback.

The feedback you receive helps you identify the areas you need to focus on before taking the End of Level test.

3. Review the grammar and vocabulary you struggle with

After practising and reflecting, you should have a good idea of what you’ve learned, and what you need to improve.

Don’t waste time reviewing things that you’re sure you can do well. Instead, spend time going over the difficult things. Find the lessons that include these difficulties. Learn them again. And practice some more.

4. Take the test and get your certificate

Last but not least, take the test. It’s a short test. It isn’t high stakes or stressful. And if it doesn't go well, you can try again after 2 weeks. So relax. Be sure to do the test in a quiet place. At a time when you’re safe from interruptions.

Even if you don’t pass the first time, be proud of the progress you’re making. Keep practising and you’ll get your certificate in no time.

Get an English certification today with Busuu

Busuu has courses for everyone, from level A1 to C1, from general to business English. When you complete a level in either the English or English for Business course, you get the chance to get a certificate. A certificate proves without a doubt your English ability. A certificate shows how hard you're working and how much progress you’ve made.

And because Busuu English certifications are based on the CEFR, the people you share your certificate with get a clear — and internationally recognized — overview of your English abilities. So get sharing those certificates with friends, family, schools, universities, and companies. Wow people with your impressive English progress.