Almost nobody chooses an Ellinomatheia level out of curiosity. A university, an employer, or a citizenship procedure names one, and the candidate works towards a target they did not choose. That is a sensible way to pick a level. It is a poor way to understand what you are actually training for.
The six levels, in practical terms
- A1 — elementary. Enough to introduce yourself, handle a shop or a simple exchange, and follow short, slow, clearly spoken Greek. Rarely a target on its own; usually a stepping stone.
- A2 — basic. Everyday communication with more independence: making arrangements, describing your day, understanding straightforward notices. This is the level tied to certain residence-permit integration requirements.
- B1 — intermediate. Real independent use: holding a conversation on familiar topics, writing a simple connected text, following the gist of most everyday speech.
- B2 — upper intermediate. Commonly required for university entry without a Greek secondary certificate, and increasingly expected in professional contexts. Includes both the four skills and a dedicated section on grammar and vocabulary.
- C1 — advanced. Fluent, flexible use across most contexts, including some abstract and specialised material.
- C2 — proficiency. Complete, near-native command, sufficient to demonstrate full knowledge of Greek for EU citizens and for the most demanding professional or academic uses.
The detail that changes preparation: two exam shapes, not six
The lower three levels (A1, A2, B1) examine listening, reading, writing and speaking. The upper three (B2, C1, C2) examine those same four skills plus a separate section on use of language — grammar and vocabulary tested directly, not just inferred from the other tasks.
This matters because a B1 candidate and a B2 candidate are not preparing for a slightly harder version of the same exam. They are preparing for exams with a different number of moving parts, and treating B2 preparation as "B1 plus a bit more vocabulary" reliably leaves the use-of-language section under-practised.
Formats, fees and sitting dates change between examination periods. For the current specification, always check directly with the Centre for the Greek Language, which administers the exam. This page explains what the levels mean, not this year's logistics.
Picking the right level when you have a choice
When an institution has not named a level for you, the honest answer is: whichever one you can reach comfortably by your date, not the highest one you can imagine reaching. A B1 pass beats a B2 near-miss every time a real deadline is involved — the certificate does not record how close you came.
An honest diagnostic settles this in one lesson. If the timeline does not fit the level you want, I will say so before we start, not after several weeks of preparation aimed at the wrong target.