Levels

Descriptions

Beginner

At beginner level, students have little or no previous knowledge of the language. They can perhaps recognize single vocabulary items but are unable to communicate in the language.

Elementary

At elementary level, students are capable of asking and responding to questions at a basic level in daily routine situations but lack confidence in other contexts. They have very limited vocabulary and manage to read and write very short simple texts. There are common errors and often a need for clarification and repetition.

Lower Intermediate

At lower intermediate level, students can handle most fundamental communicative tasks and everyday situations in social or at the workplace. They are capable of following the general meaning of a conversation about familiar subjects, but errors in pronunciation, grammar, spelling and punctuation may cause misunderstanding at times.

Intermediate

At intermediate level, students have general knowledge of basic language structures and can use these appropriately in most everyday situations. Students understand most of the language when talking to native speakers, and speak well but not fluently. They can comprehend information on familiar topics and express some degree of opinions with reasonable accuracy. Although likely to make mistake, students are able to read fairly well and write simple sentences.

Upper Intermediate

At upper intermediate level, students can understand native speakers at normal speed and express opinions confidently and accurately. Students feel reasonably confident speaking in most common social or work settings and generally have quite good writing skill. They can use and understand complex and idiomatic language in familiar situations. In many professional contexts, students have a substantial vocabulary and a wide range of expressions, and can communicate comfortably. They have some inaccuracies but can often correct them and do not normally make mistakes which hinder communication.

Advanced

At advanced level, students have a high degree of fluency and can communicate effectively and confidently in a variety of oral and written contexts. Students can use all basic structures of the language accurately and posses a large vocabulary. They can interact fully with native speakers and present ideas in writing using accurate grammar and appropriate expressions. They can participate easily in social and professional conversations, and can maintain lengthy casual conversations. Occasional errors and misunderstandings still occur but these are usually limited to unfamiliar situations and are handled easily.

Proficiency

At the proficiency level, students have developed fluency in their reading and writing and have full command of the language. Their communication is fluent, appropriate and well organized in academic, business and social situations. They can communicate effectively and confidently in a wide range of personal and professional contexts, demonstrating fluency and appropriateness.

At this level, students can already follow radio or television broadcasts and understand much of the detail. Students are looking to study in greater depth and become proficient in all aspects of the language with the use of 'native speaker' expressions.