People who study a foreign language, sooner or later begin to wonder how to learn their level of English. There are several ways to find out.
What levels of language proficiency exist
There are several levels of knowledge of English. You must familiarize yourself with them before knowing your level of English.
- Begginer (Begginer) - initial.
- Elementary (Elemental) - elementary.
- Pre-Intermediate - below average.
- Intermediate - Intermediate
- Upper-Intermediate (Upper-Intermediate) - above average.
- Advanced (Advanced) - advanced.
- Proficiency (Professional) - professional.
How to find out your level of English? An important question for learners. Sometimes determining the level of the English language is possible based on the description of the steps.
Initial Category A Levels
This implies a lack of skills in the English language and a minimum vocabulary. Not included in the official classification.
Corresponds to the initial level A1. It is also called the "survival rate." Minimum knowledge of the language, knowledge of the alphabet, simple phonetic rules and grammatical constructions are implied. You must be able to introduce yourself, to describe the subject. Vocabulary - 500-600 lexical units.
Category B Levels, Medium
- Pre-intermediate (below average).
Level A2. The student should be able to maintain a conversation on simple everyday topics, have the skills of writing and reading, be able to describe objects, be able to make simple questions and answer them.
- Intermediate (medium, fluency).
Corresponds to level B1. It implies the ability to communicate freely on familiar topics, knowledge of vocabulary and grammar, the ability to explain expectations and plans, fulfill tasks, talk about one's own dreams, hopes, interests and experience, write electronic and ordinary letters of an official and unofficial nature, read texts and understand spoken language.
- Upper-Intermediate (above average).
Corresponds to level B2. You must be able to write essays, be able to substantiate your point of view, describe the advantages and disadvantages, write official requests and complaints, speak on professional topics within your specialization, understand written texts, know the vocabulary and grammar at an adequate level and write small journalistic texts without errors.
Category C Advanced
Corresponds to level C1. It assumes a student’s understanding of a wide range of topics, the ability to maintain a conversation on professional and highly specialized questions, the ability to freely support spontaneous conversation with a native speaker, the ability to write long highly specialized texts, formal and informal communication skills, knowledge of grammar and vocabulary.
In most cases, language proficiency at this level is sufficient for working abroad or immigration.
- Proficiency or Mastery (professional).
Corresponds to level C2. It implies an impeccable knowledge of the English language, a complete understanding of oral and written speech and information. Any misunderstanding should not be caused by a language barrier. In fact, this is the level of a native speaker.
How to know your level of English
The international community offers several types of English proficiency exams. These exams are quoted in all countries of the world, according to their results a certificate is issued confirming knowledge and level.
These exams include:
- YEL is a series of Cambridge exams aimed at children.
- KET is a series of Cambridge exams to demonstrate basic fluency.
- RET - Cambridge English proficiency exams at intermediate level. A certificate is required for a work or study visa, but not always enough.
- FCE - Cambridge exams confirming English proficiency at intermediate level.
- SAE - Cambridge exam must be passed for admission to universities, confirms proficiency at an advanced level.
- CPE - Cambridge proficiency test.
- WEIGHT - a series of Cambridge exams for the use of business language.
- TKT - Cambridge exam for teachers and teachers of English.
- BULATS - Alternative Cambridge exams to prove proficiency in business language.
- IELTS - advanced level exams, necessary for studying abroad and immigration.
- TOEFL - advanced level exams for university entrants in the USA and Canada.
Before approaching the tests, you need to know the level of knowledge of the English language. The exams are aimed more at confirming the level, in addition, their cost is quite high.
Language schools, their local testing, and language teachers at schools, universities, or language courses can help. They can also tell you where and how to find out your level of English, having received a certificate of confirmation. These tests are most often carried out in private language schools and specialized centers. There is a way to learn your English level yourself, through free online testing.