Elementary Level, Beginning Level
Noun and の adjective
しょきゅう
来週、初級から中級に進級します。
I'm moving to the intermediate level class from the beginner level class next week.
エトエトは、初級、中級、上級の三つのレベルに分かれていました。
EtoEto was divided into 3 levels: beginner level, intermediate level, and advanced level.
私の日本語はまだ初級レベルですが、一生懸命勉強しています。
My Japanese is still at an elementary level, but I’m working hard at it.
The first rank of something is the beginner level. Compare this to 中級 and 上級 (vocab from this level) to get a fuller understanding.
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you'll know how to read this as well.