For a professional consultant, the shift from CEFR* level B1 (Intermediate) to B2 (Upper-intermediate) is not merely a language upgrade; it is a transition from surviving to thriving in an international business environment.
At the B1 level, you can handle most routine business situations and communicate on a functional level. However, a B2 level provides the linguistic ability to navigate complex client relationships, articulate sophisticated strategies, and contribute meaningfully to higher-level discussions.
The chart below describes what you are able to do in English at each CEFR level.
| CEFR | WHAT YOU CAN DO IN ENGLISH |
| A1 | I can say hello. I can say my name. I can ask "how are you?" I can understand a little. |
| A2 | I can talk about my family, my job, and what I like to do. I can tell a simple story about yesterday. I speak in simple sentences. I can understand what I hear a little, but the other person must speak slowly. |
| B1 | I can handle a lot of situations that might happen when I travel. I can describe my experiences, my hopes, and my dreams. I can tell a story and express my opinion, but I often make mistakes. I am getting more independent. |
| B2 | I can speak fluently and spontaneously with a native speaker. I can understand complex texts and discussions about both concrete and abstract topics. I can talk about a wide range of subjects, and my vocabulary is quite rich, but sometimes I still have to search for the right word. |
| C1 | I can use the language effectively and flexibly for social, academic, and professional purposes. I understand long, demanding texts and can recognize implicit meaning. My command of the language allows me to express myself clearly and in a well-structured way on complex subjects, using sophisticated and nuanced vocabulary. |
| C2 | I possess a masterful command of the language. I can understand virtually everything I hear or read with no difficulty. I can express myself spontaneously, very fluently, and precisely, differentiating even finer shades of meaning. I can summarize information from various sources and present it in a coherent argument. |
Let's take a closer look at the differences, and why they feel so big.
From Getting the Point Across to Nuanced Expression
At B1, your primary goal is to be understood. At B2, you have the vocabulary to be precise. For example,
- The ability to differentiate between a problem (B1) and a dilemma (B2) allows you to accurately frame a client's challenge and demonstrate a deeper understanding of their situation.
- Similarly, shifting from reduce, or make less bad (B1), to mitigate (B2) allows you to discuss risk management and strategic solutions with the professional precision your role demands.
From Simple Sentences to Complex Arguments
B1 communication relies on simple, direct sentence structures. This is sufficient for status updates but not enough to influence your client.
B2 proficiency enables you to use complex grammar—such as relative clauses and a variety of conjunctions—to build structured arguments. This means you can write detailed reports that clearly link a challenge to a proposed solution, and deliver a persuasive presentation that logically connects key data points to your core recommendation.
From Stating Opinions to Strategic Analysis
At B1, you can state your opinion on a familiar topic.
At B2, you can present a well-structured argument, provide supporting evidence, and weigh the pros and cons of various options. This is a critical skill for a consultant, as it enables you to move beyond simply offering advice to becoming a trusted advisor who can lead a client through a complex decision-making process.
A big but necessary leap
In essence, B1 is the level of a team member who can follow a plan, while a consultant at a B2 level can help build and justify a plan. To be an effective consultant, you must move from B1 to B2 English—the leap may feel huge, but it's a requirement for career success.
—
*CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is an international standard that describes language ability on a six-point scale from A1 (Beginner) to C2 (Proficient).