This course is meant for beginners or elementary students and is pitched at level A1 or A2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (see the table below for more details). At this level, students should, at the very least, be able to communicate basic needs, introduce themselves and interact with proficient speakers on a basic level. Higher order skills include the ability to talk about oneself and one’s background, and to participate in exchanges of information.
Prerequisites: None
Level group |
Level |
Description |
A Basic User |
A1 |
Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. |
Breakthrough or Beginner |
Can introduce themselves and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where they live, people they know and things they have. |
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Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help. |
|
A2 |
Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). |
|
Way Stage or Elementary |
Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. |
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Can describe in simple terms aspects of their background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need. |
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B Independent User |
B1 |
Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. |
Threshold or Intermediate |
Can deal with most situations likely to arise while travelling in an area where the language is spoken. |
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Can produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest. |
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|
Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. |
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B2 |
Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialization. |
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Vantage or Upper Intermediate |
Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. |
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Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options. |
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C Proficient User |
C1 |
Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer clauses, and recognize implicit meaning. |
Effective operational proficiency or Advanced |
Can express ideas fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. |
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Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. |
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Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices. |
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C2 |
Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. |
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Mastery or Proficiency |
Can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. |
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Can express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations. |