Foreign language proficiency levels
Language proficiency levels
Skrivanek Training Centre courses are based on the principles of the European Council document The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR). The European Council’s material is intended for language learning planning, addressing the relevance of language proficiency to the education system, learning objectives and content, for language certification planning, including the content of examination programmes and assessment criteria, and for language acquisition through self-learning, helping to set realistic goals, select learning materials and self-assess how language skills have developed during learning.
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Six language levels
CEFR levels
The CEFR defines six language levels, based on the traditional divisions – basic, intermediate and proficient – which also guide the Skrivanek Training Centre and our Language School.
The aim of the language proficiency audit is to create six groups of students based on their language knowledge, skills and level of language acquisition, using the criteria defined in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
A: BASIC (A1, A2)
- A1 – Beginner (Breakthrough)
- A2 – Elementary (Waystage)
B: INTERMEDIATE (B1, B2)
- B1 – Intermediate (Threshold or Pre-Intermediate)
- B2 – Upper-Intermediate (Vantage)
C: ADVANCED (C1, C2)
- C1 – Advanced (Effective Operational Proficiency)
- C2 – Mastery (Proficiency)
Language proficiency levels and their characteristics
A1 language proficiency
The language user understands short and simple texts – basic phrases, expressions used in different types of everyday situations. Can introduce themselves and others in simple sentences, can ask for personal details such as where they live, acquaintances, objects, and can answer similar questions. Can understand simple information and hold simple conversations if the person they are talking to is slow, clear and responsive.
A2 language proficiency
The language user understands information presented in simple sentences on familiar topics such as personal details, family, shopping, place of residence, occupation. Can hold simple conversations on familiar topics, convey simple information about themselves and others, and describe their education, immediate surroundings and non-immediate needs in simple terms.
B1 language proficiency
The language user understands information about familiar topics that he or she regularly encounters at work, school, leisure, etc., if they are spoken about clearly and using standard phrases. Can cope with most situations that might arise when travelling in the country where the language is spoken. Can compose and write simple, logical texts on current issues in their daily lives or on familiar topics. Can describe dreams, hopes, longings, experiences and events and briefly justify and explain their opinions and thoughts.
B2 language proficiency
The language user understands the main idea in texts on complex topics with both concrete and abstract subject matter, can participate in professional discussions and express an opinion on a topic related to his/her area of expertise. Can respond spontaneously to questions given by native speakers, can listen and communicate fluently. Can produce, write clear, detailed texts on a wide range of topics, including current topics in the world, not just in their daily lives. Can justify their opinions, e.g. on the advantages and disadvantages of a solution proposed by a person.
C1 language proficiency
The advanced level requires that the language user fully understands complex and longer texts on a variety of subjects and can distinguish hidden meanings. Can express themselves in both everyday and spontaneous situations, easily finding words and expressions appropriate to the topic and etiquette. Can use language flexibly and accurately at work, school, in social life. Can produce clear, structured, detailed texts on complex topics and use the principles of text construction and connective elements consciously.
C2 language proficiency
Fluently and easily understands everything they hear or read. Can summarise information from a variety of spoken and written sources, reconstruct arguments and explanations, and use them in discussions and presentations. Has no problem expressing themselves spontaneously on complex topics, as they would in their mother tongue. The advanced level of language proficiency means that the language user is able to speak and understand clearly, fluently and easily, and is able to distinguish the subtlest nuances of meaning and choose vocabulary and idioms according to the situation.
Free English language test
English level test
Skrivanek Training Centre offers English language learning for adults in a variety of formats – group classes and individual lessons, in person and remotely – from A1 to C1 proficiency level, depending on whether you are a beginner with no prior knowledge or want to refresh your existing language skills and improve your proficiency level.
If you have learnt English before, use it at work, at school, but want to improve your English skills on a course, we offer you a free English test on our website that will take you just 45 minutes to complete and you will receive your results shortly afterwards by e-mail to find out your proficiency level. Such a test is also available for German speakers.
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Mācību metode
With Skrivanek courses, your language level and skills will grow quickly and efficiently thanks to EFFECTO, our teaching method for better foreign language learning.
Our language courses are based on developing active language skills – speaking and writing, listening and reading – through interactive exercises in a creative, relaxed atmosphere. From the very first lesson, teachers encourage students to speak, express their opinions and read and listen to texts on a variety of topics – understandably, according to their current level of knowledge. The success of the method we have developed is based on the idea that the students, not the teacher, do all the talking during lessons, training participants to use language spontaneously in a variety of everyday situations.
Language courses for adults
Latvian language courses
