Virtuous English Academy logoVirtuous English Academy

A1 English Course for Beginners (Free)

Start English from the very beginning with this free A1 course. It is organised into 6 units and 18 short steps that build on each other, so you are never overwhelmed and always know what comes next.

Each unit mixes a grammar lesson, a vocabulary matching game and a short-story review, and the path ends with an A1 final exam and a certificate. Your streak, XP and progress are saved as you go.

What you'll learn

Who this course is for

Absolute beginners

The course opens with the verb be and subject pronouns and assumes nothing before that. If you can read the Latin alphabet, you can start here.

False beginners

If you studied English at school but retained only fragments, A1 fills the gaps in the right order rather than leaving you to guess which ones matter.

Parents and older learners restarting

Steps are short and self-contained, designed for fifteen minutes a day rather than long sessions, so progress survives a busy week.

How the course works

Step 1 — One grammar point per step

Each step introduces a single structure, shows it in real example sentences, and tests it immediately. Nothing is introduced before its foundation exists.

Step 2 — A vocabulary game in every unit

Matching games attach new words to the grammar you just met, so the two are learned together rather than separately.

Step 3 — A story review to close each unit

A roughly 300-word story reuses the unit's grammar and vocabulary in context, which is what turns a rule into something you can actually use.

Step 4 — A final exam

Twelve questions covering all six units. Passing it earns your A1 certificate and confirms you are ready for A2.

The six A1 units

Each unit is three steps: a grammar lesson, a vocabulary game and a short-story review that reuses both.

UnitGrammar focusYou will be able to
1 · Getting startedbe, subject pronouns, a/anintroduce yourself and say where you are from
2 · People and thingsplurals, this/that, possessive adjectivesdescribe your family and your possessions
3 · Everyday lifepresent simple, adverbs of frequencytalk about your routine and your job
4 · Right nowpresent continuous, present simple contrastsay what is happening at this moment
5 · Abilities and things you havecan and can't, have gotdescribe skills and what you own
6 · Looking backpast simple, was and weretalk about yesterday and last weekend

What you will be able to do by the end

Frequently asked questions

Is this course good for complete beginners?

Yes — the A1 course assumes no prior knowledge and starts with the absolute basics of English.

How long does the A1 course take?

It depends on your pace, but the 18 steps are designed to be completed comfortably over a few weeks of regular study.

Do I get a certificate?

Yes. When you pass the A1 final exam you receive a free, shareable certificate.

Does the A1 course cost anything?

No. All 18 steps, the final exam and the certificate are free. You need an account so your progress can be saved, but there is no payment at any stage.

What does A1 actually mean?

A1 is the first level of the CEFR, the scale used across Europe to describe language ability. At A1 you can introduce yourself, ask and answer simple personal questions, and handle very basic everyday exchanges when the other person speaks slowly.

Do I need to take the placement test first?

Not if you are a genuine beginner — start at Unit 1. If you already know some English, the free placement test takes a few minutes and tells you whether A1 or A2 is the better starting point.

What should I do after finishing A1?

Move on to the A2 course, which picks up exactly where A1 stops: the past continuous, comparatives, the present perfect and the language for longer everyday conversations.

Can I study on a phone?

Yes. Every step, game and story works on a phone, and your progress syncs to your account, so you can start a unit on a phone and finish it on a laptop.

Study alongside the course