European scale for assessing the level of language proficiency. English language proficiency levels
Europe has its own scale for assessing the level of foreign language proficiency. This scale developed Council of Europe in the period from 1989 to 1996 (Language Learning for European Citizenship project). The purpose of this work was the unification of standards in the field of assessing the level of proficiency in various foreign languages, the creation international standards in language learning, teaching and grading. Council of Europe scale or Common European Framework of Reference ( CEFR ) is an assessment and learning method applicable to all European languages including English. In November 2001, an EU Council resolution recommended the use of Council of Europe scales CEFR to create national assessment systems language competence. Council of Europe scale (CEFR) in an understandable form determines what skills you need to have in order to use the language for communication purposes, as well as what knowledge and skills you need to master in order for communication to be successful.
Council of Europe scale defines a standard terminology, system of units or criteria for describing levels of language proficiency, regardless of which language is being studied and in which educational context (country, educational institution, in courses or privately), and what methods are used.
When developing Council of Europe scales extensive research has been carried out in different countries, evaluation methods have been tested in practice. As a result, an agreement was reached on the issue of the number of levels allocated for organizing the process of learning the language and assessing the degree of proficiency in it. There are 3 major levels (basic, intermediate and advanced), each of which is divided into 2 sub-levels:
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A elementary possession |
A1 |
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A2 |
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IN Self Ownership (Independent User) |
IN 1 |
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AT 2 |
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C Fluency (Proficient User) |
C1 (Effective Operational Proficiency) |
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C2 |
Programs
| Level | Required Skills | Required number of hours of language learning* |
| A1 |
Understanding and ability to use in speech familiar phrases and expressions necessary to perform specific tasks. Ability to introduce yourself and introduce others, ask questions about the place of residence, acquaintances, property and answer them. Possibility of engaging in a simple conversation if the interlocutor speaks slowly and clearly and is ready to help. | 60 hours |
| A2 | Understanding individual sentences and common expressions related to major areas of life (for example, basic information about yourself and your family members, shopping, getting a job, etc.). The ability to perform tasks related to the simple exchange of information on familiar or everyday topics. The ability to describe in simple terms about yourself, your family and friends, to describe the main aspects of everyday life. | 180 hours |
| B1 | Understanding the main ideas of clear messages delivered in standard language on a variety of topics typically encountered at work, school, leisure, etc. Ability to communicate in most situations that may arise during a stay in the country of the language being studied. The ability to compose a coherent message on known or particularly interesting topics. The ability to describe impressions, events, hopes, aspirations, to state and justify one's opinion and plans for the future. | 300 hours |
| B2 | Understanding general content complex texts on abstract and concrete topics, including highly specialized texts. The ability to speak quickly and spontaneously enough to constantly communicate with native speakers without much difficulty for either party. Ability to make clear, detailed communications on a variety of topics and present one's perspective on a major issue, showing the advantages and disadvantages of different opinions. | 540 hours |
| C1 | Comprehension of voluminous complex texts on various topics, recognition of hidden meaning. The ability to speak spontaneously at a fast pace, without having difficulty in choosing words and expressions. Flexible and effective use of language for communication in scientific and professional activities. The ability to create an accurate, detailed, well-structured message on complex topics, demonstrating mastery of text organization models, means of communication and combination of its elements. | 660 hours |
| C2 | Understanding almost any oral or written message, the ability to compose a coherent text based on several oral and written sources. Ability to speak spontaneously at a high pace and with a high degree of accuracy, emphasizing shades of meaning even in the most difficult cases. | 800 hours |
* The number of required academic hours to achieve the appropriate level is given as a recommendation, the exact duration of language learning depends on the abilities and capabilities of each student, on his motivation and, of course, the quality of teaching.
There are several approaches to determining the level of foreign language proficiency. The ability to correctly determine your level allows you to set reasonable goals, choose the right teaching aids, objectively assess your capabilities when looking for a job or entering an educational institution.
Speaking of English language The most commonly used classification is:
0.Basic. This is not a level yet, this is still the absence of even elementary level. The definition applies to those who have begun to learn a language, but it is too early to talk about the practical use of the language for any purpose.
1.Elementary. If the remnants of school knowledge allow you to understand simple inscriptions and share some information with a sin in half with a foreigner, then you speak English at this level. Sometimes they also distinguish the Upper-Elementary level - a minimum for simple communication on a limited set of topics.
2. Pre-Intermediate. Approximately this level of language proficiency is provided by the average Russian school, provided that you at least sometimes learned the rules and did your homework. It means the ability to explain on simple topics, knowledge of the basics of grammar and vocabulary for everyday communication.
3. Intermediate. The level implies the ability to correctly express yourself in a foreign language, read books and watch films with an understanding of the meaning, write texts on various topics with almost no errors.
4. Upper Intermediate. Good knowledge of the language: a large vocabulary, a thorough knowledge of grammar (except for nuances), and the ability to communicate fluently, although not perfectly.
5.Advanced. Speaking almost like a native language. Achieving this level requires not only persistent study of the language, but also its continuous use.
This scale, although it is the most common in Russia, has a significant drawback - everyone understands it differently. That level of English, which is considered Advanced by one teacher, can be perceived by another only as Upper Intermediate. Even the number of levels in this classification in different sources varies from three to eight (in the most detailed version, Native Speaker, a native speaker, is added to the six levels considered, and the Elementary level, as previously mentioned, is subdivided into two more).
More specific and intelligible is the modern European classification used to determine the level of English language proficiency (and not only English). It was developed in 1991 at an international symposium in Switzerland with the aim of achieving mutual understanding and facilitating the cooperation of teachers. foreign languages. Now this scale is widely used in Europe when conducting exams and tests, compiling dictionaries and teaching aids. It includes three levels, each of which contains two sublevels.
A:Basic Speaker
A1: Breakthrough
A2: Waystage
B: Independent speaker
B1: Threshold
B2: Vantage
C: Proficient Speaker
C1: Effective Operational Proficiency
C2: Mastery
A1. Can understand and use everyday expressions and general phrases for specific needs. Can introduce himself and others, ask and answer simple questions about where he lives, people he knows, things he owns. Can communicate a little, provided that the interlocutor speaks slowly and clearly and is ready to help him.
A2. Can understand and use common expressions to communicate on frequently occurring topics such as personal information, family, shop, local geography, work. Communication consists of a simple direct exchange of information on these topics.
IN 1. Understands the meaning of messages related to regularly occurring situations at work, at school, on vacation, and so on. Can be explained in most situations that may arise when traveling in a language distribution zone. Can compose simple connected text on a familiar topic. Can describe events, dreams, hopes, and so on, justify his opinions and plans.
AT 2. Understands the meaning of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including those in his professional field. Communicates quite fluently and naturally with native speakers without significant effort from either side. Can write clear, detailed text on a wide range of topics, presenting a point of view, pointing out the advantages and disadvantages of other opinions.
C1. Understands a variety of complex voluminous texts, recognizing implicit information. He speaks so fluently that the search and selection of words is invisible to the interlocutor. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, scientific and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-formed, and detailed text on complex topics using organization patterns and language bindings.
C2. He understands almost everything he hears and reads. Speaks fluently, conveying various shades of meaning even in the most complex cases.
Friends, if you want to learn more about the levels A1 and A2 in learning English, then we suggest that you carefully read this material; Perhaps you will learn a lot of interesting and useful things for yourself.
As you already know, learning English is divided into stages or levels, each level is a certain degree of difficulty, specific tasks and exercises, reading, grammar, etc. Today we take a closer look at the initial levels or levels of survival, that is, Beginner and Elementary , as well as before threshold level Pre-intermediate.
It would seem that the stages of English proficiency Beginner and Elementary are in many ways similar. However, here one can observe significant differences. You cannot proceed to the Elementary level without first preparing the Beginner.
A1 - beginner and basic level
Everything starts with the basics, and learning a language is even more so. The Beginner level is perfect for those who have never studied English before, have no idea about it. This stage of English proficiency allows you to build a few simple sentences, learn the basics of grammar and reading rules, and acquire a small vocabulary. Also, it makes it possible to move on to the next step - Elementary.
The knowledge that gives First level, are very extensive for this stage of learning English: mastering the three simple tenses of verbs (present, past, future), the concept of articles, the ability to make several simple sentences, the ability to characterize the subject in simple words; vocabulary ranges from 500 to 700 words, the ability to get to know each other, answer simple questions, write a short text from simple sentences.
The Elementary level is already a more serious level of knowledge and proficiency in English. And the range of opportunities and skills that it provides is much wider. Getting to this level, a person studying English must have elementary baggage initial stage beginner.
The knowledge gained at this stage is sufficient to communicate in English at the everyday level. For example, while abroad, you can ask for directions, book a hotel room, do some shopping, etc.
Your knowledge of grammar, speaking, reading, your vocabulary at this level is much broader and deeper. Of course, you can’t call such knowledge of the English language professional, but you are no longer a beginner in learning the language.
At the Elementary level, you already speak English What skills does this stage of training provide? Here they are: a clear understanding of the verb to be, mastering the tenses of verbs, including continuous and perfect; the use of articles and modal verbs, pronouns and the possessive case; expansion of vocabulary from 1000 to 1500, the ability to communicate on simple everyday topics, the ability to write short story about yourself, about your family, about hobbies, about work, etc.
As we have already said, these levels belong to the Survival Levels category or survival levels. This means that these levels of knowledge of the English language will help you navigate in various everyday situations where English is needed.
We believe that in modern life it is not only useful, but also very important to know English at least at these two levels, because such knowledge of English is required and modern technologies, and the Internet, and travel, etc.
Category A2 or pre-threshold level
The pre-threshold or intermediate level (Pre-Intermediate) is like a bridge between the basic stages and more advanced levels of English proficiency. Why is it so? The fact is that this English language course begins with simple constructions learned during the training at the previous two levels. The Pre-Intermediate stage is a great opportunity to repeat, consolidate and systematize previous levels and acquired skills, as well as move on to a more difficult stage of learning English.
The Pre-Intermediate level is a significant step forward
By studying English at the Pre-Intermediate level, you get even greater skills in the language: a clear understanding of the tenses of verbs and the ability to distinguish them, understanding the conditional mood, replenishing the vocabulary with modal verbs that were not known before; understanding of the passive verb, the ability to convert direct speech into indirect speech, understanding of pronouns and degrees of comparison of adjectives; vocabulary ranges from 1500 to 2000 words; the ability to speak in English on various topics and talk about yourself; understanding the main idea of the text; the ability to write essays, essays, letters.
