This proficiency scale will help you discover your current level and knowledge of the language you wish to study. It will also help you define yourown personal learning goals.

Generally, it takes about four-six weeks to graduate to the next level when taking a Languages Abroad program. This period of time can vary significantly depending on several variables including the student's personal or professional motivation to learn, whether they take the Standard 4 lessons a day) or Intensive program (6 lessons a day) and how much they practice their language skills out of the classroom.

The following scale of six language levels is an interpretation of the classic division into basic, intermediate and advanced. (This language proficiency scale is based upon the Common European Framework Levels)

Starting from an initial division into three broad levels:
Basic level: A1 and A2
Intermediate level: B1 and B2
Advanced level: C1 and C2

Basic Level A1
Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can make basic introductions and can ask and answer questions about personal details, home country, familiar people and personal possessions. Can interact in a simple way - provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

Basic Level 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). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms personal background facts, immediate environment and explain matters of urgent need.

Intermediate Level B1
Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

Intermediate Level B2
Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions regarding profession or academic field of specialization. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. 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.

Advanced Level C1
Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning. You can express yourself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

Advanced Level C2
Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express self spontaneously, very fluently and precisely; differentiating finer nuances of meaning even in more complex situations.

This general proficiency scale should make it easier to communicate the system used in most of our schools to non-specialist users and also provides academic advisors/teachers with orientation points for granting academic credit to their students who participate in our programs.

Nearly all of our programs cater for all language levels: from the absolute beginner to the more advanced language student. Each student will take a brief placement test (approximately 45 minutes) on the first morning of the course, unless the student is a complete beginner. This assessment will determine the student's language level and ensure placement in the correct class.

OTHER USEFUL RESOURCES AND LINKS:
ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines: www.sil.org