There are several approaches to determining proficiency level foreign language. The ability to correctly determine your level allows you to set reasonable goals, select the right teaching aids, and objectively assess your capabilities when looking for a job or entering an educational institution.

When talking about the English language, the following classification is most often used:

0.Basic. This is not yet a level, it is still the absence of even an 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 exchange some information with a foreigner with a sin, it means that you speak English at this level. Sometimes they also allocate the Upper-Elementary level - the minimum for simple communication on a limited set of topics.

2. Pre-Intemediate. 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 simple topics, knowledge of basic grammar and vocabulary for everyday communication.

3. Intermediate. The level implies the ability to speak competently in a foreign language, read books and watch films with an understanding of the meaning, and write texts on various topics almost without errors. This is approximately this vocabulary plus good grammar and conversation practice.

4. Upper-Intermediate. Good knowledge language: a large vocabulary, a thorough knowledge of grammar (except for nuances), and the ability to communicate fluently, although not perfectly.

5. Advanced. Language proficiency is almost native-like. To achieve this level, it is necessary not only to study the language persistently, but also to use it for a long time.

This scale, although it is the most common in Russia, has a significant drawback - everyone understands it differently. The level of English that is considered Advanced by one teacher may be perceived as Upper Intermediate by another. 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 said, is divided into two more).

More specific and clear is the modern European classification, which is used to determine the level of proficiency in English (and not only English). It was developed in 1991 at an international symposium in Switzerland with the aim of achieving mutual understanding and facilitating cooperation between language teachers. 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 common phrases for specific needs. Can introduce himself and others, ask and answer questions simple questions about his place of residence, people he knows, things that belong to him. Can communicate a little provided the other person speaks slowly and clearly and is willing to help.

A2. Can understand and use common expressions to communicate about commonly encountered topics such as personal information, family, shopping, local geography, work. Communication is simply a direct exchange of information on these topics.

IN 1. Understands the meaning of messages related to regularly occurring situations at work, school, leisure, and so on. Can be explained in most situations that may arise when traveling in the area where the language is spoken. Can compose simple, coherent text on a familiar topic. Can describe events, dreams, hopes, etc., justify his opinions and plans.

AT 2. Understands the meaning of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including in his professional field. Communicates quite fluently and naturally with native speakers without significant effort on either side. Can write clear, detailed text on a wide range of topics, express his point of view, indicating the disadvantages and advantages of other opinions.

C1. Understands a variety of complex 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-structured, and detailed text on complex topics using organizational patterns and cohesive language.

C2. Understands almost everything he hears and reads. Speaks fluently, conveying various shades of meaning even in the most difficult cases.

Knowledge of English different people will vary. Thus, native speakers speak it perfectly, foreigners who have studied the language for a sufficient amount of time can freely explain everyday topics in it, and those who have just started learning or have been learning English for a long time know the language at an elementary level. Figuring out what level a person speaks a language is not so easy. For this purpose, there are numerous tests on the Internet; they really help determine language proficiency. But they mainly check the student’s vocabulary and grammar, but knowledge of the language is not only vocabulary and the ability to understand the rules. Therefore, in foreign language courses you will be offered not only a written test, but also will talk a little with each potential student in a foreign language, will ask him various questions and invite them to speak. Only after the student has demonstrated his knowledge verbally and writing, in grammar and vocabulary, one can declare his level of language proficiency.

What levels of language proficiency are there?

Intermediate is an average level of English proficiency. There are 6 or 7 such levels in total, depending on different approaches to determining the level of language competence: Beginner, Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper-Intermediate, Advanced, Proficiency. Sometimes in foreign language courses, some of these levels are divided into sublevels in order to more accurately determine which group to enroll the student in.

What do you need to know at the Intermediate level?

At the Intermediate level, he is expected to have a good knowledge of the basic tenses of the English language and be able to use them in writing and speaking. Its volume vocabulary is about 3-5 thousand words, which allows the student to speak well enough on everyday topics, understand English speech, compose written texts of normal complexity. At the same time, such a student may make mistakes in speech, speak not too fluently, stammer a little, or take a long time to find words. He understands quite complex texts well - stories, novels, written literary language, popular science articles, can read the news, but does not always perceive them well by ear. A person with an Intermediate level is unlikely to be able to correctly maintain a conversation on specific and complex topics; he does not speak business vocabulary unless he has been specifically trained in words and expressions with certain specifics.

In general, the Intermediate level is a fairly good level of knowledge of the English language. It may include those who are not fluent in oral speech, but are excellent at reading books in English, as well as those who speak well, but are not very well versed in the written features of the language. This level may be sufficient for employment with the requirement of mandatory knowledge of the English language. This level of proficiency is shown by good graduates of regular schools or students of grades 8-9 of specialized schools and gymnasiums with in-depth study of the English language.

Do you want to know if your knowledge corresponds to the Advanced level? Take ours and get recommendations that will help you improve your English language skills.

Advanced is the level of fluency in English

Advanced is an advanced level of English proficiency, which is labeled C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​(CEFR). Advanced is the penultimate level of knowledge of English, above which only proficiency in English at the native level is Proficiency.

This is a serious level, because graduates of philological faculties of higher educational institutions in our country must speak English at the Advanced level. That is, most teachers who teach you English as a foreign language speak it at an advanced level.

It would seem that at the previous Upper-Intermediate level you have already learned to speak on almost any topic, understand English well by ear, read literature in the original, watch films and TV series in English. So what will they teach you at the Advanced level if you already know everything?

If at the previous levels you were taught to speak on the most common topics, now you will be taught to speak about everything, even if you do not understand the subject of the conversation. That is, you will be taught live, spontaneous, fluent and literate speech.

Upon completion of the Advanced course, you can take the CAE exam (Certificate in Advanced English). The certificate of this exam is necessary for people who want to prove that they are able to use spoken and written English in everyday life (at work or study) at an advanced level. Also, upon reaching the Advanced level, you can take IELTS exam 7-7.5 points or TOEFL 96-109 points.

We recommend starting to study English at the Advanced level if you:

• speak competently and fluently on almost any topic, but “stumble” when you need to go into detail, clearly express your point of view, correctly use a variety of synonyms and, if necessary, paraphrase your speech;
• you know English grammar well, but would like to study more complex aspects so that your speech is lively, similar to the speech of native speakers;
• understand the speech of native speakers well by ear, watch films and TV series, but periodically resort to subtitles;
• We already studied English at this level once, but managed to forget the material;
• studied at a language university, achieved high level speak English and want to maintain and improve your knowledge;
• are going to take an exam to get a CAE, IELTS or TOEFL certificate;
• recently graduated from Upper-Intermediate level.

Material you should know at Advanced level

The following table shows what knowledge a person should have at level C1.

If you are not sure that you have a good command of the above material, we advise you to check, perhaps your knowledge corresponds to the level.

The Advanced level program includes the study of such topics in the training course

How your speaking skills will improve in the Advanced course

At the English Advanced level, you can already spontaneously (that is, without prior preparation) and freely verbally express one's opinion (Speaking) on any topic, including narrowly focused ones. At the same time, you actively use complex grammatical structures, synonyms of words, phrasal verbs and idioms in your speech. You can clearly justify any of your thoughts and easily provide examples to confirm your point of view. You can speak for at least 4-6 minutes on any topic ranging from global warming and the education system in the USA and ending with a positive and negative influence Internet on the psyche of children.

Despite the fact that you have previously received a substantial lexicon (Vocabulary), the Advanced course will give new round the process of improving the English language. The most significant difference from the previous levels that you will really feel will be the choice of topics for learning new words. The lesson materials will be rich in words, expressions and idioms that you need to know to communicate freely and in order to make your speech natural.

Concerning listening comprehension (Listening), then at the Advanced level of English you will be able to freely understand the speech of native speakers, even if they speak with an accent and at a fairly fast pace. A world of various television programs, films and series in English will be open to you. If there are unfamiliar words, their number will be insignificant, and in any case this will not interfere with the general understanding of English speech.

At an advanced level of English you will easily read(Reading) unadapted literature, you will not have to constantly look in the dictionary to look up a new word. Moreover, you can read both literary and journalistic texts. You will also be able to analyze the material you read, that is, draw conclusions, compare different ideas, highlight the main thing, etc.

Writing(Writing) essays will also not cause difficulties, because at this level you will receive all the necessary knowledge for successfully writing an essay, article, report, letter (formal and informal), review, etc. You will know how to correctly compose and format the text, you will be able write confidently different topics using neutral and special stylistically colored vocabulary (metaphors, comparisons, colorful epithets, idioms, etc.).

At the Advanced level grammar(Grammar) is basically a consolidation of all the topics studied at previous levels. The difference is that the examples will be complex and all grammatical structures will be used “mixed up”. That is, in fact, the grammar of all previous levels is repeated within 9-12 months in a compressed form on complex examples. As a rule, at this stage of learning there is a complete comprehension and ordering of all the grammar studied earlier. In addition, the Advanced course will teach you how to express yourself in more sophisticated ways, which will require you to use a variety of complex grammatical structures that you have not encountered before. Examples of phrases that you will study at this level can be seen in the first table in the “Grammar” section.

Duration of training at the Advanced level

The duration of studying English at the C1 Advanced level depends on the individual characteristics of the student and the regularity of classes. The average duration of training for the Advanced course is 6-9 months.

The advanced level is the result that everyone who learns English should strive for. It will be required not only for admission to foreign universities or for getting a job, but in general will serve as the basis for self-development and successful self-realization professionally. If you think that you have already reached the Advanced level, take ours to make sure of this.

If the Advanced level is a dream for you, then we invite you to make it come true with our teachers at. An experienced teacher will help you achieve fluency in English.

In order to get a job in an international company or organization engaged in foreign economic activity, knowledge of a foreign language is required. Today, the most common and in demand are English, German, French, and Chinese.

Language skills on resume

In order to get a job in an international company, you must indicate your level of proficiency in a particular language when filling out your resume. To do this, specify the level in a separate section. Most often, standard options are used, from which you need to choose the most suitable one.

Russified classification:

• base,
• colloquial,
• "I own it freely"
• “I am fluent.”

European classification:

• Beginner,
• Advanced,
• Pre-Intermediate,
• Intermediate,
• Basic
• Elementary level
• Upper-Intermediate.

How should I indicate my level of language proficiency on my resume?

Naturally, your resume must indicate your actual level of knowledge of foreign languages. Another question is how to define it correctly.

For example, Intermediate assumes that a person can not only clearly and clearly express his thoughts and understand his interlocutor, but also write informational articles, conduct business correspondence, fill out declarations and other important documents.

To find out your level of English proficiency, you can use one of the following methods:

1. When completing training, the level of knowledge is usually indicated, which must be shown by the student.
2. Take the online test.
3. To confirm the level, starting from Intermediate and higher, the following relevant tests must be taken.

Levels of language knowledge (Russified classification)

On this moment, there is the most accurate and official classification of different levels of English proficiency.

According to it, they are divided into those listed below, which we will now examine in more detail:

• Advanced is the highest level of English proficiency. Moreover, both oral speech and writing are taken into account.
• Upper-intermediate(V modern texts TOEFL can be achieved by scoring from 550 to 600 points). At the same time, a person at this level can calmly communicate, watch movies and fully understand them. With this level of language knowledge, it is possible to freely find a job in any company - both large and relatively small organizations.
• Intermediate— in order to get this level you need to score from 400 to 550 points on the TOEFL text. This indicates that a person can communicate as competently and freely on certain topics as possible. Knows all the basic rules and features of the English language. Can conduct business negotiations at the proper level.
• Pre-intermediate represents the level of knowledge of a person who can freely perceive what is said (read) and delve into the essence.
• Elementary is an elementary or basic level of knowledge of the English language. Having proficiency in English at this level, a person can freely quickly read various texts in English, as well as pronounce words most correctly. In addition to this, knowledge of the most basic and simple grammatical and spelling structures must also be present.
• Beginner- Beginner level of English proficiency. It represents the simplest level of language proficiency. A person receives the most basic level at school. A person with these English language skills can talk about himself and at the same time talk on various topics.

Level of language proficiency according to the European scale

Most countries in the world have adopted the Common European System (CEFR), which is used to determine the level of English language proficiency. Thanks to this scale, standards have been established that are used throughout the world for the most comprehensive definition of language competence.

This system is used to recognize their qualifications, which have been obtained in a variety of educational systems and has a direct impact on academic and labor migration not only in European countries, but also all over the world.

This rating scale can be used for any language. This is due to the fact that the ALTE association developed and implemented a special formula “Sai Mo”. The division is made into general educational and working aspects.

According to the pan-European scale, the level of foreign language proficiency is divided into the following:

• A1 - initial - Breakshowge.
• A2 - level 1 (Pre-intermediate and Elementary).
• B1 - Intermediate.
• B2 - Upper-intermediate.
• C1 - Advanced.
• C2 - “Profi”

Each level is confirmed by passing the corresponding exam (Cambridge).

Valuable addition to your resume:

When filling out your resume, you must indicate not only your level of English proficiency, but also the availability of an appropriate certificate, as well as information about passing certain exams: B1, B2, C1 and C2.

It is also a good idea to include the full name of the detailed institution.

Certificates confirming the level of English language

International certificates are issued to candidates and serve as documentary evidence of their level of knowledge of the English language.

They are divided:

1. IELTS. This certificate is recognized in almost 130 countries around the world. First of all, these are most countries of the European continent, as well as New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the USA. This certificate is issued for two years, after which it must be reconfirmed.
2. TOEFL. Required for applicants upon admission to educational establishments, where the MBA program is taught, as well as for employment. This certificate is recognized in Canada and the USA (over 2400 colleges), The TOEFL Certificate is recognized in 150 countries. Its validity period is 2 years.
3. GMAT. This international certificate is required for admission to Western universities, business schools, educational institutions where MBA programs are taught, as well as for employment in large international companies. The validity period of this certificate is currently 5 years.
4. GRE. This international certificate is required for admission to graduate school at most American universities. Its validity period is 5 years.
5. TOEIK.This certificate is required for applicants and students, including linguistic universities. Often, a TOEIK certificate is required when applying for a job in a variety of English-speaking companies. Validity period: 2 years. But you can take it for five years at once. But for this, you need to pay 50 dollars (standard fee).

Exams confirming language skills and level of English (international scale)

Today, the most common throughout the world are the Cambridge tests (exams that are taken annually by tens of millions of people from different regions globe- Cambridge COP).

This system is developed for various levels of English proficiency and makes it possible to obtain a preliminary assessment of your own knowledge. Each test confirms the level of knowledge and makes an assessment.

CAM (pr SEFR for Intermediate) with outputs to Elementary (A1 and A2), PET (Intermediate B1), FSE - Upper-intermediate (B2), CAE - Advanced (C1), CPE - Pre-intermediate (C2). In addition, there are a number of others - highly specialized exams.

English proficiency test

A huge number of different tests have now appeared on the Internet, which make it possible to test your level of language knowledge. But here it is important to remember that not all of them are reliable, since most of them are just dummies that have nothing to do with official tests and calculation criteria.

It’s easier to call them simulators or applications. The most popular and popular is http://www.cambridgeenglish.org.ru/test-your-english/. This is due to the fact that it was released by Cambridge specialists and all the data obtained in it is reliable.

Or during courses, you will definitely come across the concept of “levels of English” or “levels of English proficiency”, as well as such incomprehensible designations as A1, B2, and the more understandable Beginner, Intermediate and so on. From this article you will learn what these formulations mean and what levels of language proficiency are distinguished, as well as how to determine your level of English.

Levels of the English language were invented so that language learners could be divided into groups with approximately similar knowledge and skills in reading, writing, speaking and writing, as well as to simplify testing procedures, examinations, for various purposes related to emigration, study abroad and employment. This classification helps in recruiting students into a group and preparing teaching aids, methods, and language teaching programs.

Of course, there is no clear boundary between the levels; this division is quite arbitrary, needed not so much by students as by teachers. In total, there are 6 levels of language proficiency, there are two types of division:

• Levels A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2,
• Levels Beginner, Elementary, Intermediate, Upper Intermediate, Advanced, Proficiency.

Essentially they are just two different names for the same thing. These 6 levels are divided into three groups.

Table: English language proficiency levels

The classification was developed in the late eighties - early nineties of the last century, it is completely called the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (abbr. CERF).

English language levels: detailed description

Beginner level (A1)

At this level you can:

• Understand and use familiar everyday expressions and simple phrases aimed at solving specific problems.
• Introduce yourself, introduce other people, ask simple personal questions, for example, “Where do you live?”, “Where are you from?”, be able to answer such questions.
• Maintain a simple conversation if the other person speaks slowly, clearly and helps you.

Many who studied English at school speak the language at approximately the Beginner level. From the vocabulary only elementary mother, father, help me, my name is, London is the capital. You can understand well-known words and expressions by ear if they speak very clearly and without accent, as in the audio lessons for the textbook. You understand texts like the “Exit” sign, and in a conversation with the help of gestures, using individual words, you can express the simplest thoughts.

Level Elementary (A2)

At this level you can:

• Understand common expressions in common topics, such as: family, shopping, work, etc.
• Talk about simple everyday topics using simple phrases.
• Talk about yourself in simple terms, describe simple situations.

If you got a 4 or 5 in English at school, but after that you didn’t use English for some time, then most likely you speak the language at the Elementary level. TV programs in English will not be understandable, except for individual words, but the interlocutor, if he speaks clearly, in simple phrases of 2-3 words, will generally understand. You can also incoherently and with long pauses for reflection tell the simplest information about yourself, say that the sky is blue and the weather is clear, express a simple wish, place an order at McDonald's.

The Beginner – Elementary levels can be called a “survival level”, Survival English. It is enough to “survive” during a trip to a country where the main language is English.

Intermediate level (B1)

At this level you can:

• Understand the general meaning of clear speech on common, familiar topics related to everyday life(work, study, etc.)
• Cope with the most typical situations while traveling (at the airport, in a hotel, etc.)
• Compose simple, coherent text on general or personally familiar topics.
• Retell events, describe hopes, dreams, ambitions, be able to briefly talk about plans and explain your point of view.

Vocabulary and grammar knowledge is enough to write simple essays about yourself, describe incidents from life, write a letter to a friend. But in most cases, oral speech lags behind written speech, you confuse tenses, think about a phrase, pause to find a preposition (to or for?), but you can communicate more or less, especially if there is no shyness or fear of making mistakes.

Understanding your interlocutor is much more difficult, and if it is a native speaker, and even with fast speech and a bizarre accent, then it is almost impossible. However, simple, clear speech is understandable well, provided the words and expressions are familiar. You generally understand if the text is not very complex, and with some difficulty you understand the general meaning without subtitles.

Upper Intermediate level (B2)

At this level you can:

• Understand the general meaning of complex text on concrete and abstract topics, including technical (specialized) topics in your profile.
• Speak quickly enough so that communication with a native speaker occurs without long pauses.
• Compose clear, detailed text on various topics, explain points of view, give arguments for and against various points of view on the topic.

Upper Intermediate is already a good, solid, confident command of the language. If you are talking on a well-known topic with a person whose pronunciation you understand well, then the conversation will go quickly, easily, naturally. An outside observer will say that you are fluent in English. However, you may be confused by words and expressions related to topics that you do not understand well, all sorts of jokes, sarcasm, hints, slang.

You are asked to answer 36 questions to test your listening, writing, speaking and grammar skills.

It is noteworthy that to test listening comprehension, they do not use phrases recorded by the speaker like “London is the capital”, but short excerpts from films (Puzzle English specializes in learning English from films and TV series). In English-language films, the speech of the characters is close to the way people speak in real life, so the test may seem harsh.

Chandler from Friends doesn't have the best pronunciation.

To check a letter, you need to translate several phrases from English into Russian and from Russian into English. The program provides several translation options for each phrase. To test your knowledge of grammar, a completely ordinary test is used, where you need to choose one option from several proposed ones.

But you're probably wondering how the program can test your speaking skills? Of course, an online English test will not test your speech like a human, but the test developers have come up with an original solution. In the task you need to listen to a phrase from the film and choose a line suitable for continuing the dialogue.

Talking is not enough, you also need to understand your interlocutor!

The ability to speak English consists of two skills: listening to the speech of your interlocutor and expressing your thoughts. This task, although in a simplified form, tests how you cope with both tasks.

At the end of the test you will be shown full list questions with correct answers, you will find out where you made mistakes. And of course, you will see a chart with an assessment of your level on a scale from Beginner to Upper Intermediate.

2. Test to determine the level of English with a teacher

To get a professional, “live” (and not automated, as in tests) assessment of the level of the English language, you need English teacher, which will test you with tasks and an interview in English.

This consultation can be done free of charge. Firstly, there may be a language school in your city that offers free language testing and even a trial lesson. This is now a common practice.

In short, I signed up for a trial lesson-test, got in touch on Skype at the appointed time, and teacher Alexandra and I had a lesson during which she “tortured” me in every possible way with various tasks. All communication was in English.

My trial lesson on SkyEng. We check your knowledge of grammar.

At the end of the lesson, the teacher explained to me in detail in which direction I should develop my English, what problems I have, and a little later she sent me a letter with detailed description level of language skills (with ratings on a 5-point scale) and methodological recommendations.

This method took some time: three days passed from submitting the application to the lesson, and the lesson itself lasted about 40 minutes. But this is much more interesting than any online test.