At this level, learners already understand many common words and some idioms, are able to speak about facts and ideas in some detail, understand short texts written in plain English that are a little difficult and in writing are able to describe or compare events, people, places, objects and routines in paragraph format using simple sentences with few errors in grammar or spelling.

As learners progress through High Intermediate, they will be able to understand many difficult, indirect questions, will be able to speak comfortably about a range of both familiar and less familiar topics, will be able to follow main ideas, key words and important details in texts written in plain English that are long and more difficult when reading; and will be able to express ideas and opinions about familiar or abstract topics in short paragraphs when writing; with good control over common sentence patterns, grammar and spelling as they link sentences to form paragraphs and a short essay.