For professional consultants, advancing from CEFR* level B1 (Intermediate) to B2 (Upper-Intermediate) is more than simply improving language skills. It marks a shift from merely "getting by" in global business settings to consistently delivering results.
At the B1 level, you're able to handle many everyday business scenarios and engage in functional communication. But reaching B2 means you’ve developed the vocabulary and expression needed to manage complex client interactions, participate in strategic discussions, and contribute meaningfully to high-level decision-making.
The table below shows what you can do at each CEFR level.
| CEFR | What you can do in English |
| A1 | Can greet others, say your name, ask "How are you?" and understand a few basic words. |
| A2 | Can talk about your family, job, and hobbies. Can describe simple past events. Understands slow, clear speech. |
| B1 | Can deal with situations during travel. Can talk about experiences, hopes, and dreams. Can express opinions and tell stories, though errors are common. Beginning to communicate more independently. |
| B2 | Can speak fluently and naturally with native speakers. Can discuss not only concrete topics but also abstract ideas. Has a broad vocabulary, though may still search for words at times. |
| C1 | Can use language effectively in social, academic, and professional settings. Understands long and complex texts, including implied meanings. Can express ideas clearly and precisely using advanced vocabulary. |
| C2 | Can use English almost flawlessly. Understands virtually everything heard or read. Expresses nuanced ideas spontaneously and accurately. Can synthesize information from multiple sources and present a coherent argument. |
Now, let's take a closer look at the differences between B1 and B2.
From “Just Getting the Message Across” to Expressing Nuance
At the B1 level, the primary goal is to make yourself understood — and that’s a significant achievement. However, B2 enables you to communicate precisely and with greater sophistication. For example : distinguishing between "problem" and "dilemma" allows you to describe client challenges more accurately, showing deeper understanding. Upgrading vocabulary from phrases like “reduce” or “make less bad” to “mitigate” enables you to speak more professionally about risk management or strategic solutions.
- Differentiate similar words: Using precise terms like "dilemma" instead of just "problem" helps convey client issues more accurately and demonstrates deeper understanding
- Upgrade basic phrases: Replacing expressions like "reduce" or "make less bad" with more professional terms like "mitigate" improves how you discuss risks and strategic solutions.
From Short Sentences to Structured Communication
B1 communication tends to rely on short, direct sentences. This is often sufficient for daily updates or simple reports. But if your goal is to persuade clients or lead a team, you need more.
At the B2 level, you can use relative clauses and a range of linking words to construct more complex and logically connected sentences. This enables you to clearly connect “challenges” with “solutions” in a written report or tie together “data” and “recommendations” in a compelling presentation.
From Personal Opinions to Strategic Analysis
At B1, you’re able to express personal views on familiar topics. That’s a great start.
But B2 brings you the ability to build structured arguments, support your ideas with evidence, and weigh pros and cons of different options. These are essential consulting skills, marking your evolution from “someone who has an opinion” to a “trusted advisor who helps navigate complex decisions.”
A Big Leap — But a Necessary One
Ultimately, the B1 level corresponds to someone who can execute a plan as part of a team. At B2, you're capable of designing the plan, presenting the rationale, and persuading others to follow your recommendations.
The jump from B1 to B2 may feel significant — and it is. But for any consultant aiming to thrive in a global context, it’s an essential leap forward.
—
*The 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 (mastery).