What is your language proficiency?

When filling out a resume or registering on a site for learning English, many find it difficult to answer the question: “What is your degree of knowledge of a foreign language?”. If nothing is left of the school English lessons, then you are probably a Beginner? Or at the Elementary level? It’s worth sorting out.

There are 2 scales of degrees of English proficiency: European and international. They can be compared with each other.

The degree of language proficiency can be called special skills and knowledge base that a person uses during communication. How wide this base is and how well your skills are honed can be determined using international language exams (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge ESOL exams or TOEIC). They give the most accurate result.

Beginner (entry level)

Beginner is also called the "zero" level. Those who studied another foreign language (for example, French or German) can be attributed to it, but they are not at all familiar with English and know only a couple of simple phrases like: Good bye! and Hello !.

Elementary (basic level)

People with an Elementary level understand some phrases and words in English. They have basic skills:

• apply standard phrases in practice, for example: I don't speak English - “I do not speak English”;
• understand by ear some English words that are spoken slowly;
• read simple texts, such as newspaper headlines.

In addition, at the Elementary level, many have difficulties with English grammar.

Pre-Intermediate (conversation level)

People at the Pre-Intermediate level have the following skills:

• can freely communicate on household topics;
• read journalistic articles, complex texts;
• Know the basics of English grammar;
• understand speech by ear, for example, when watching a movie in English, they distinguish between familiar words, phrases, and some dialogues.

A person with a Pre-Intermediate level is able to conduct correspondence, both personal and simple business.

Intermediate (Intermediate)

Owners of the Intermediate level are fluent in a foreign language, are able to use it in various situations. They can also:

• participate in negotiations;
• read and understand adapted literature;
• Describe long stories
• watch foreign television and films without subtitles, listen to the radio in English and at the same time understand everything.

Often the Intermediate level is enough to get a job in a foreign company.

Upper – Intermediate (above average)

People with an Upper – Intermediate degree use different vocabulary in a conversation. Also have the following skills:

• understand difficult speech in conversations on any topic;
• read non-adapted texts in English;
• when writing text can apply various styles.

Holders of the Upper – Intermediate degree communicate freely with native speakers.

Advanced

People at the Advanced level feel confident with an English-speaking interlocutor. They can also:

• talk about the event in a variety of ways using different expressions;
• use sarcasm at the right time;
• understand quickly delivered speech;
• read texts of narrowly focused topics, for example, legal ones;
• write letters (both official and unofficial), scientific papers, essays, various articles.

Owners of the Advanced level can easily speak and think English.

Proficiency

This is the highest degree of language proficiency. This level is one that has an educated and cultural native speaker. The only thing that a person who did not grow up in an English-speaking environment may not understand, so these are some sayings or quotes with which all residents of England and the United States are familiar.

People with a Proficiency level speak a foreign language perfectly. It often happens that they speak English even better than some native speakers.

Language Proficiency for Resume

For many, this is difficult. Often when looking for a job, you need to indicate the degree of knowledge of a foreign language for a resume.

To begin with, note what kind of additional language you have, and then - what level:

• with the dictionary you can translate and read;
• versed in everyday topics;
• speak fluent language.

Another division of language proficiency levels is also applied:

• base;
• colloquial;
• good;
• free;
• in excellence.

But in most companies, the European scale for determining degrees of language proficiency is considered standard.

Knowledge of a foreign language is highly valued in international organizations, and usually the applicant should have at least a level of "above average" (Upper – Intermediate - B2).

It will not be superfluous to mention in your resume your additional skills:

• ability to negotiate in a foreign language;
• experience in conducting business correspondence.

To confirm the degree of proficiency in a foreign language, information on documents issued according to the results of passed examinations or tests is indicated. A big plus is having a certificate of passing international exams.

Knowledge of a foreign language and degree of proficiency can be improved with the help of language courses or schools, tutors or lessons on Skype, various tutorials. The choice is huge - decide for yourself. The main thing is to have strong motivation and practice regularly. Then you are guaranteed success!