Corporate Training · Updated: July 2026

Testing & Placing Employees' English Level

The short answer: before any company course, employees' real CEFR level should be measured – not estimated. Self-assessment is unreliable (most say “about B2”), and wrongly mixed groups waste budget. We place using a CEFR test plus a short placement interview and form small groups of 3–5 participants at the same level.

CEFR A1–C2 placement · Online across DACH · In-house Hannover & Berlin

See the process

Since 2004Native speakers only50+ corporate clientsCEFR A1–C2VAT-exempt

Why Self-Assessment Isn't Enough

Asked about their own English level, most employees answer “about B2”. In practice, the self-assessed level is often a whole CEFR level off – up or down. A group in which real A2 sits next to real C1 frustrates both sides: some are over-challenged, others under-challenged, and the trainer has to pace to the weakest.

That's why we measure before the company course: an online placement test against CEFR A1–C2 plus a short placement interview with a native-speaking trainer. Only in this way can level-matched groups be formed – and only then is training progress cleanly measurable from a starting level via the monthly HR progress reports.

How Does Placement Work?

Step 1

Needs analysis

We clarify goals, affected departments, and the relevant specialist vocabulary: is it about customer calls, presentations, or negotiations? From this we derive which levels are needed for your working day.

Step 2

Online CEFR placement test

Each employee takes the placement test from their own device – about 15–20 minutes, evaluated against CEFR A1–C2. You'll find the test for self-testing on our test page.

Step 3

Short placement interview

A native-speaking trainer holds a roughly 10-minute conversation to assess active speaking ability – the part a multiple-choice test can't measure. This correctly catches transitions like B1→B2 or B2→C1.

Step 4

Group split by CEFR

From test and interview we form level-matched small groups (3–5 participants). Groups with a similar level learn faster, and nobody is over- or under-challenged. HR receives the assignment including the CEFR starting level for the progress reports.

From the test result to the group split usually takes 2–3 business days.

CEFR Decision Table: What Your Level Means on the Job

CEFR level	What employees can do at work	Suitable training format
A1	Individual words and very simple sentences; greetings, introductions, very basic numbers and times.	Foundation course, slow pace, lots of repetition.
A2	Simple routine conversations and short emails on familiar topics; understanding clear, slowly spoken instructions.	Build-up course focused on everyday work and email phrases.
B1	Coping in familiar work situations; phone calls and simple meetings, travel and schedule coordination.	B1 group course with a focus on speaking practice.
B2	Fluent communication in most business situations; presentations and negotiations at an intermediate level.	B2 communication training: negotiation, presentation, telephony.
C1	Differentiated, fluent language even on complex topics; confident presence at executive level.	C1 executive coaching, fine-tuning of nuances.
C2	Near-native; even nuanced and culturally sensitive communication.	One-to-one coaching for highly specific topics.

The A1–C2 levels follow the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) – the standard that HR and progress reports also use.

Small Groups by Department – Level-Matched

We work in small groups of 3–5 participants who are at the same CEFR level. In addition, we group by department so that the specialist vocabulary is identical in training: a sales group practises different scenarios than a service group. This makes every practical reference immediately relevant.

Management

Executives need C1–C2 for negotiation, presentation, and board settings. We form a small group or one-to-one coaching at this level.

Sales

Sales lives on the phone and on objection handling. Level-matched sales groups (usually B1–B2) practise pitches, objection handling, and closing with their own specialist vocabulary.

Customer Success

Customer success agents speak and write all day. A separate group (B1–B2) trains complaints, explanations, and polite standard phrases.

Placement as a Starting Point – and an HR Metric

CEFR placement is not just a one-off assignment: it is the reference point for the monthly, GDPR-compliant HR progress reports. An employee who was reliably at B1 at the start and reaches B2 after three months shows cleanly measurable progress – not a guess. Without placement, it would later be impossible to justify whether the budget had worked.

Simmonds Language Services has been working with native-speaking trainers since 2004 and supports over 50 corporate clients – online across the DACH region and as in-house training in the Hannover and Berlin regions. Want to check your own level first? Use our free CEFR placement test.

Last updated: July 2026.

Want to have your employees placed before a company course? We'll advise you with no obligation.

Request needs analysis

How much does it cost?

Format	Duration	Price (approx.)	Notes
Online — Private lessons	90 minutes	€65–70	1:1, Zoom / Teams / Meet
Online — Corporate lessons	90 minutes	€97.50–105	Small groups, tailored curriculum
In-person	90 minutes	€115	On-site or our office in Berlin / Hanover

Prices depend on format, frequency, and requirements. Language instruction is VAT-exempt (§4 Nr.21 UStG).

Who we work with

DHLToyotaMedia MarktContinentalDeutsche Pop

“Wir schulen seit 5 Jahren unsere Teams über Simmonds. Die branchenspezifischen Materialien und die Flexibilität der Trainer machen den Unterschied.”

Laura M., Leiterin Personalentwicklung, DHL Supply Chain

“Nach einem dreimonatigen Intensivtraining konnte ich meine erste internationale Präsentation souverän auf Englisch halten.”

Stefan K., Projektleiter, Continental AG

“Die kostenlosen Online-Lektionen haben mich überzeugt. Die Qualität des Einzelunterrichts hat meine Erwartungen übertroffen.”

Anna H., Marketing Managerin

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to place employees?+

The online CEFR placement test takes about 15–20 minutes per employee and can be done from any device. The short placement interview with a native-speaking trainer takes around 10 minutes. From the test result to the finished group split usually takes only 2–3 business days.

What does placement cost?+

Placement is part of our needs analysis – we determine the CEFR levels of your employees before we propose a training concept. This prevents groups made up of participants with levels that are too far apart. The free CEFR placement test for self-testing is available separately on our test page.

Does Simmonds also offer evening slots?+

Yes. Many employees can't manage fixed daytime slots – that's why we regularly offer evening slots too, online across the DACH region and as in-house training in the Hannover and Berlin regions. This lets shift or sales teams train without downtime.

Are 60- or 90-minute sessions better?+

For ongoing company groups we generally recommend 60-minute sessions – they fit more easily into the working day and keep concentration high. 90-minute sessions suit intensive workshops or one-to-one coaching when a topic needs deeper practice. We advise you on what fits your team.

From how many participants is a company course worthwhile?+

We work in small groups of 3–5 participants who are at the same CEFR level. This gives everyone enough speaking time, and the trainer can correct each person in a targeted way. For larger departments we form several level-matched groups – for example separate groups for management, sales, and customer success.

Improve your English for free

Free online lessons twice a week, vocabulary trainer with 600 words, and a placement test – all without signing up.

Start vocabulary trainer Placement test Free lessons

Get in touch

Tell us briefly what you need English or German for — we'll suggest the best format for your goals and schedule.

We typically respond within one working day.

📞 Hannover: +49 511 4739339 📞 Berlin: +49 30 5770 3118 ✉ [email protected]💬 WhatsApp: +49 511 4739339

What to expect

✓Confident in meetings
✓Persuasive presentations
✓Professional negotiations
✓Texts that work