Levels
All our courses are designed
following the Standard Levels established by the
Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The Framework
provides a basis
for the mutual recognition of language
qualifications, thus
facilitating educational and
occupational mobility.
If you would like to know
more about the Framework, or the European
Language
Portfolio click
here.
Knowing what level to start at is one of the
three key questions to ask
yourself when starting
to learn a language as most
people are inspired
because they have already some understanding. Most people will know
their level from the descriptions below (which also give
you an idea of
what you will get out of a course pitched at that level), but if
you are
still unsure we have a
quick
test
that you can take.
Level 1 -
Absolute Beginners
You have no
real knowledge of the Spanish language beyond the odd word
or phrase gleaned
from
your holidays or films. This level builds a basic
vocabulary and teaches you how to
build
basic sentence structures. The
objective of any course at this level is
to give you the
confidence to have
a go at conversing in Spanish - we have specific courses for those wanting
the basics to go on holiday with more detailed
vocabulary specific to that
objective.
Levels 2 - Elementary (A1 Common European Framework)
You are at
this level if your can understand familiar everyday expressions and
very basic
phrases.
You can ask and answer questions regarding personal
details such as
where people live, possessions,
etc. You can
interact in a
simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and
is
prepared
to help.
Levels 3 - Pre-Intermediate (A2 Common European Framework)
You can understand sentences and frequently
used expressions related to areas
of most immediate
relevance (e.g. basic
personal and family information, shopping,
local geography, employment).
You can communicate in simple and routine tasks
requiring a simple and direct
exchange of
information on familiar and routine matters,
and can describe
in simple terms aspects of your
background, immediate environment
and matters in
areas of immediate needs.
Level 4 - Intermediate (B1 Common European Framework)
You are at this level if you can understand
clear standard communications regarding
common matters
and can cope in most situations
likely to arise whilst traveling in an
area where Spanish is spoken.
You can produce simple connected sentences on
topics which are of personal
interest. You can
describe experiences and events,
dreams, hopes, ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations
for opinions
and plans.
Level 5 - Upper-Intermediate (B2 Common European Framework)
At this level
you can understand the main ideas presented in complex communications
in both
concrete and abstract
topics, including technical discussions in your field of
specialization. You
will
be able to express yourself with reasonable accuracy and
produce clear and
detailed communications
on a wide range of subjects, being able
to explain a viewpoint on a topical
issue giving the advantages
and disadvantages
of various options.
Level 6 - Advanced (C1 Common European Framework)
At this level
you are able to understand a wide range of demanding, longer
communications and
recognize
implicit meanings. You should be able to express
yourself fluently and
spontaneously using
Spanish effectively
for social, academic
and professional purposes. You should be able to produce clear,
well-structured
and detailed communications on complex subjects, showing controlled use of
organizational patterns, connectors and cohesive language devices.
Level 7 - Pre-Proficiency (C1 - C2 Common European Framework)
At this level your understanding
is almost complete, whether orally
communicated or in writing. You should be able to summarize information
from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and
accounts into a coherent presentation. You should be able to express
yourself spontaneously and fluently with a high degree of accuracy.
Level 8 - Proficiency (C2 Common European Framework)
At this level
you can understand with ease virtually everything communicated,
whether oral or
in writing.
You should be able to summarize
information from
different spoken and written sources, reconstructing
arguments
and accounts
into a coherent presentation. You should be able to
express yourself
spontaneously and fluently with a high degree of accuracy, differentiating finer
shades of meaning even
in
more complex situations.
Still not sure about your level?
Click here to take our Level Test on line.