According to the owner of the site “An English Tutor”, before learning a language, it is worth understanding what level of knowledge you need.
Know English for yourself
The degree of knowledge of the language can be considered satisfactory when the required communicative purpose. If your goal is to buy a certain product, then you should not spend money on English lessons.
If a foreigner wants to communicate with you, then facial expressions, gestures and a few words for elementary communication are enough. If you yourself are interested in communication, then you will need to study, and in the process of this training, go through several stages:
Level 1 (800-1500 words - semi-active vocabulary, 1500-3000 - passive)
Understanding the speech addressed to you and adequate response to it, foreigners understand you.
At this very first stage, you will be able to understand the speech addressed to you, fragments of texts popular songs and recognize some words in fluent English speech. When taking classes with a teacher, this stage is fast, in each lesson you will learn an important new information. With independent studies, it will take much more time and it will be difficult to avoid mistakes that are difficult to correct in the future.
Level 2 (1500 words - active vocabulary, 3000-5000 - passive)
Dialogue, exchange of information with a foreigner.
There is such a language, Special English, which broadcasts from the USA to non-English speaking countries, this language is similar to English, but much slower. Imagine that instead of natural speech, you need to pronounce every word, avoid long or very short expressions, constantly monitor whether you are understood - and you will understand what it is like for foreigners who are translated by students (and sometimes graduates) of the pedagogical institute.
However, the level of Special English allows not so little. You will be able to communicate, and with a good vocabulary, communicate informatively. But not very interesting, because both your interlocutor and you are in constant tension. This stage is the longest, it is on it that a set of syntagmas, fused semantic units is formed and accumulated, which will allow you to achieve next level. At this stage, self-study is very effective: you need to watch a foreign video, read newspapers, look for online lessons.
Level 3 (2500-3000 - active vocabulary, 15000-30000 - passive)
Language proficiency, understanding the conversations of educated unfamiliar native speakers among themselves.
Good understanding of videos and radio programs in English. At this stage, you already forget about the language, since you are completely in it. You can fully communicate and participate in the communication of foreigners on an equal footing. You understand some jokes. The teacher can no longer help you significantly, at best he - A good conversationalist. You can only find something new for yourself in the English-speaking world.
Know English for study and work abroad
If you are a unique specialist, then you will be hired in the USA regardless of your level of English. Green Card applications from US citizens interested in obtaining a Russian specialist are considered first.
Let's assume a more likely situation: you yourself are looking for a job or want to study abroad. In this case, you will almost certainly be required to prove your English proficiency at a level sufficient for work or study. For this, there are TOEFL and IELTS testing systems.
American institutions prefer to receive TOEFL test results, and the British one is universally recognized. IELTS exam. Both systems are quite complex, and getting the highest score is difficult even for a native speaker. However, to score a passing score at good level knowledge of English is quite possible.
Please note that you cannot fail these exams. Therefore, courses that guarantee you passing this test with zero knowledge of the language do not deceive - in the worst case, you will pass with zero points.
English for work
Karl Marx said that knowledge foreign language is a weapon in the struggle of life. I think a lot of people agree with that now.
Foreign companies
Business English largely coincides with everyday English, but there are differences: it is classic business English that is grammatically closest to the normative Queen’s English. Therefore, the ideal secretary in a foreign company must graduate from Inyaz ... For the level of a secretary, this is more than enough.
Language Russian representative foreign companies should allow him to respectfully communicate with the owner, for this you need to clearly understand the stylistic acceptability of the used turns. In addition, ownership is required monologue for different kind presentations and reports.
English as a profession
Level 4
Interpreters, consecutive translation
(3000-5000 words - active vocabulary with basic shades of meanings and verb phrases, common phraseological units, 30000-50000 - passive vocabulary recognizable by ear, knowledge of terminology in the chosen field of translation)
In theory, consecutive interpreting can be performed by anyone who knows both languages well enough. A graduate of Inyaza, after several years of constant work with foreigners, can translate quite well. Graduates of translation institutes can start working immediately and eventually reach a high level. But it is precisely because of the apparent lightness that one often hears simply poor consecutive translation. This work requires professionalism no less than any other.
If a foreigner comes, then you cannot count on a secretary who once a week spoke to him on the phone and translated several faxes. At the Pedagogical Institute, she was taught to teach English, not to translate. Communication through a bad interpreter is painful and leaves a bad impression, it is better to speak bad English yourself than to use a weak interpreter.
It is my deep conviction that a professional translator must know several languages, even if he only translates from English. For example, the six working languages of the UN and Latin.
Level 5
Simultaneous translation
(10000-15000 words - active vocabulary with all common shades of meanings and verbal constructions, phraseological units. 50000-75000 - passive vocabulary recognizable by ear when pronouncing in all major dialects, encyclopedic (not necessarily deep, but wide enough) knowledge modern science, technology, culture. Detailed knowledge of the terminology of the chosen field of translation).
High-quality simultaneous translation does not impede communication, it happens at a natural pace. This is achieved at great cost and good preparation. Simultaneous translation is a mental anomaly, since in a normal environment a person cannot listen and speak at the same time, especially in different languages.
Simultaneous translation fundamentally cannot be complete. With an average redundancy Indo-European languages 75%, satisfactory understanding starts at 50% translation. High-level professionals can translate up to 85%, but only with sufficient simplicity of the source text and low speed of the translated speech. When translating a film, you can get 95%, but you need to watch it again.
Recently I watched one of the old films, translated by 20-25%. This is not enough, but if you know the language well (level 3), you will be able to complete the translation yourself by another 30 percent and get the required satisfactory level.
AT recent times Films are translated not by simultaneous translators, but by someone unknown from the text of the script. Usually the quality of such translations is very low. To translate a film, i.e. dialogue, you need to know colloquial speech very well - the pedagogical institute does not give such knowledge. It is surprising that Moscow companies do not want to find decent translators for films. Apparently, their owners are not entirely competent, and as a result, there are blunders on central television that are inappropriate even in high school.
Not everyone can become a simultaneous interpreter. You need to have a certain type of thinking. For an experiment, you can try to simultaneously speak and count spoken words, or just verbs.
If both work out, you can try to get this profession. This requires the highest language training and experience. It's interesting but hard work.
In addition, the demand for true simultaneous translation is limited by large international organizations, which are served by a small group of high-level Moscow professionals.
Note
It turned out that the fourth and fifth levels are assigned to people who professionally work with a foreign language. This is no coincidence - after all, it takes a lot of time and effort. But not only they can reach the heights: a person who is passionate about the language is capable of much.
There are two main international certificates for knowledge of English language- TOEFL and IELTS. The first one is held in in electronic format, the second - using paper examination forms. Both tests test reading, writing, listening and colloquial speech but the assignments are different. For example, when passing the TOEFL, the speech is recorded and sent to the assessment center, and when IELTS the student interacts personally with the examiner.
TOEFL
Required for admission to universities in Europe, USA, Canada, Asia. On the this moment the world's most widely used English proficiency test. It is accepted by about 9 thousand universities around the world. The exam is taken in accredited centers in Russia. The TOEFL fee is $255. The test certificate is valid for two years.
IELTS
Required for admission to universities in the UK, New Zealand, Australia, USA. The exam has a special module for those who go to a university abroad - Academic. Like TOEFL, the IELTS exam can be taken in Russia at accredited centers. The certificate is valid for two years. Preparation for this exam can be done at IQ Consultancy.CAE and CPE
Cambridge Advanced (CAE) and Proficiency (CPE) language exams. Cambridge language exam certificates testify to high level English proficiency. They are required for admission to a number of top universities in the UK. Testing can be taken in Russia at accredited language schools. The validity of CAE and CPE certificates is not limited.
German proficiency exams
TestDaF
It is held several times a year in universities in Germany and in accredited centers around the world. Developed on behalf of DAAD, the German Academic Exchange Service. Tests the ability to understand teachers in lectures, communicate with other students, read science articles, write abstracts. The cost of testing varies, on average it is 130 €. The validity period of the certificate is not limited.DSH
The exam is held at universities in Germany. Most of them offer DSH preparation courses. Like TestDaF, the exam is focused on testing readiness for studying at universities, so special emphasis is placed on the scientific vocabulary. In many universities in Germany, this exam is free of charge, some charge a fee of about 100 €. DSH is taken at the university in which they plan to enter. It may be valid at other universities, but this is up to them.
The main difference between TestDaF and DSH is that the first exam is standardized and therefore accepted in universities throughout Germany. TestDaF can be taken in Russia, DSH - only in Germany.
French proficiency exams
The CIEP International Center for Educational Research organizes and administers two French language tests, the results of which are required for admission to French-language programs in the vast majority of cases.
TCF
There is various options this test. For admission to the first year of the university, you need to take the TCF-DAP. Also, its results are required for admission to architectural universities. For admission to other levels of study, TCF-TP results are required. The test can be passed with additional options - expression écrite (letter) or expression orale ( oral speech). Whether these options are necessary, you need to check with the chosen university. The exam is taken in accredited centers around the world. The cost of passing the test is 5000 rubles. The issued certificate is valid for two years.
DELF/DALF
The DELF diploma confirms ownership French at the basic or advanced level. Diploma DALF confirms Fluency language and knowledge of the socio-cultural environment of France. The requirements of universities for applicants indicate which level is considered to be passing (DELF B1, DELF B2, DALF C1). You can take the test in accredited centers, the cost of passing varies from 1800 to 6000 rubles. The diploma has no expiration date.
Both exams are standardized and accepted for admission to francophone programs around the world. TCF results, like most international tests, are only valid for two years. When passing DELF / DALF, a diploma is issued that has no expiration date.
Spanish Proficiency Exam
DELE
The certificate is issued by the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports. The examinations are organized by the Instituto Cervantes. Testing is carried out in accredited centers. The cost depends on the level and ranges from 2,500 to 5,200 rubles. The validity period of the certificate is not limited.
Chinese Proficiency Exam
HSK
Chinese analogue of TOEFL. Held in accredited centers around the world. The exam is divided into six levels, each of which is tested separately. Written and oral part must be submitted separately. The cost depends on the chosen level and ranges from 1000 to 1500 for each of the two parts. The certificate is valid for two years.
If you are preparing for English language exams, please contact the IQ Consultancy Language Centre. We prepare for IELTS, TOEFL, GMAT, SAT, SSAT, CAE, CPE. 92% of our students pass the exam with the score they planned or get an even better score.
IQ Consultancy is an accredited admission and preparation center for TOEFL IBT® in St. Petersburg.
If you are interested in education abroad, please contact IQ Consultancy. We will help you choose a university, prepare for admission, collect Required documents and successfully complete the enrollment process.
Or in courses, you will definitely come across the concept of “English language levels” or “English language proficiency levels”, as well as such incomprehensible designations as A1, B2, and more understandable Beginner, Intermediate and so on. From this article, you will learn what these formulations mean and what levels of knowledge of the language distinguish, as well as how to determine your level of english.
The levels of English are designed so that language learners can be divided into groups with approximately similar knowledge and skills in reading, writing, speaking and writing, as well as to simplify testing procedures, examinations, for various purposes related to emigration, study abroad and employment. This classification helps in recruiting students into a group and preparing teaching aids, methods, language teaching programs.
Of course, there is no clear boundary between the levels, this division is rather conditional, necessary not so much for students as for teachers. In total, there are 6 levels of language proficiency, there are two types of division:
- Levels A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2,
- Beginner, Elementary, Intermediate, Upper Intermediate, Advanced, Proficiency levels.
Basically it's just two different names for the same. These 6 levels are divided into three groups.
Table: English language proficiency levels
The classification was developed in the late eighties - early nineties of the last century, it is fully called the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (abbr. CERF).
English levels: detailed description
Beginner level (A1)
At this level you can:
- Understand and use familiar everyday expressions and simple phrases aimed at solving specific problems.
- Introduce yourself, introduce others, ask simple questions personal nature, such as “Where do you live?”, “Where are you from?”, be able to answer such questions.
- Maintain a simple conversation if the other person speaks slowly, clearly, and helps you.
Many who studied English at school speak the language at about the Beginner level. From the vocabulary only elementary mother, father, help me, my name is, London is the capital . You can understand well-known words and expressions by ear if they speak very clearly and without an accent, as in audio lessons for a textbook. You understand texts like the “Exit” sign, and in a conversation with the help of gestures, using individual words, you can express the simplest thoughts.
Elementary level (A2)
At this level you can:
- Understand common expressions common topics, such as: family, shopping, work, etc.
- Speak in simple everyday topics in simple terms.
- Tell simple expressions about yourself, describe simple situations.
If at school you had 4 or 5 in English, but after some time did not use English, then most likely you speak the language in Elementary level. TV shows in English will not be understood, except perhaps individual words, but the interlocutor, if he speaks clearly, in simple phrases of 2-3 words, you will generally understand. You can also incoherently and with long pauses for reflection tell the simplest information about yourself, say that the sky is blue and the weather is clear, express a simple wish, make an order at McDonald's.
Beginner - Elementary levels can be called "survival level", Survival English. It is enough to "survive" during a trip to a country where the main language is English.
Intermediate level (B1)
At this level you can:
- Understand the general meaning of distinct speech on general, familiar topics related to everyday life(work, study, etc.)
- Cope with the most typical situations on a trip, travel (at the airport, in a hotel, etc.)
- Write simple connected text on topics that are common or familiar to you personally.
- Retell events, describe hopes, dreams, ambitions, be able to briefly talk about plans and explain your point of view.
Vocabulary and knowledge of grammar is enough to write simple essays about yourself, describe cases from life, write a letter to a friend. But in most cases, oral speech lags behind written speech, you confuse tenses, think over a phrase, pause to pick up a preposition (to or for?), but you can more or less communicate, especially if there is no shyness or fear of making a mistake.
It is much more difficult to understand the interlocutor, and if it is a native speaker, and even with fast speech and a bizarre accent, then it is almost impossible. However, simple, clear speech is understood well, provided that the words and expressions are familiar. You generally understand if the text is not very complex, and with some difficulty understand the general meaning without subtitles.
Level Upper Intermediate (B2)
At this level you can:
- Understand the general meaning of complex text on concrete and abstract topics, including technical (specialized) topics in your profile.
- Speak quickly enough so that communication with a native speaker occurs without long pauses.
- Write clear, detailed text different topics explain a point of view, give arguments for and against various points view on the topic.
Upper Intermediate is already a good, sound, confident command of the language. If you are talking on a well-known topic with a person whose pronunciation you understand well, then the conversation will go quickly, easily, naturally. An outside observer will say that you are fluent in English. However, you can be confused by words and expressions related to topics that are poorly understood by you, all sorts of jokes, sarcasm, allusions, slang.
You are asked to answer 36 questions to test listening, writing, speaking and grammar.
It is noteworthy that to test listening comprehension, phrases like “London is the capital” recorded by the speaker are not used, but short excerpts from films (Puzzle English specializes in learning English from films and TV shows). In English-language films, the speech of the characters is close to how people speak in real life so the test may seem harsh.
Chandler from Friends doesn't have the best pronunciation.
To check the letter, you need to translate several phrases from English into Russian and from Russian into English. The program provides several translation options for each phrase. To test knowledge of grammar, a completely ordinary test is used, where you need to choose one option from several proposed ones.
But you are probably wondering how the program can test the skill of speaking? Of course, an online English proficiency test will not test your speech as a person, but the test developers came up with an original solution. In the task, you need to listen to a phrase from the movie and choose a cue that is suitable for continuing the dialogue.
Talking is not enough, you also need to understand the interlocutor!
The ability to speak English consists of two skills: to understand the speech of the interlocutor by ear and to express one's thoughts. This task, albeit in a simplified form, tests how you cope with both tasks.
At the end of the test you will be shown full list questions with correct answers, you will find out where you made mistakes. And of course, you will see a chart showing your level on a scale from Beginner to Upper Intermediate. 
2. Test to determine the level of English with a teacher
To get a professional, “live” (not automated, as in tests) assessment of the level of English, you need English teacher who will test you with assignments and an interview in English.
This consultation is free of charge. First, your city may have Language school, which offers free testing for knowledge of the language and even trial lesson. Now this is a common practice.
In short, I signed up for a trial test lesson, got in touch on Skype at the appointed time, and the teacher Alexandra and I held a lesson, during which she “tortured” me in every possible way different tasks. All communication was in English.
My trial lesson on SkyEng. Checking grammar knowledge.
At the end of the lesson, the teacher explained to me in detail in which direction I should develop my English, what problems I have, and a little later she sent a letter with detailed description level of language skills (with marks on a 5-point scale) and methodological recommendations.
This method took some time: three days passed from the application to the lesson, and the lesson itself lasted about 40 minutes. But it is much more interesting than any online test.
When applying to foreign universities, everyone for whom English is not their native language must confirm their language competence by passing a language test. In order to organize the preparation for testing most effectively, it is necessary to figure out what kind of tests a student needs, when and with what level of English you can start preparing, what time frame and budget you need to meet.
What tests do students need
You can read about general and special tests required for admission to universities in the UK.
Preparation: how to achieve the best results?
The secret of excellent results is hidden not only in the language abilities of the student. In many ways, it depends on the motivation and proper organization of the preparation process. Learning a foreign language is always a big and painstaking job that needs to be properly planned.
1. We formulate goals and objectives
To form a clear understanding of the goals and objectives to be solved, the following input data will help:
At what level of English can I start preparing for exams
What level of English do universities require?
When to start preparing?
1. Determine your language level
Tests and interviews offered by all reputable English language schools will help determine the current language level of a student. Tests are usually available via the Internet, interviews - face-to-face.
3. Determine the timing of preparation
The speed of learning, first of all, depends on the workload, quality and regularity of work. At the same time, there are standards developed by the Council of Europe (Council of Europe’s Common European Framework), which establish a scale of levels comparable for all European languages and the amount of study time from the beginning of training to achieve each of them.
Understand what linguistic levels exist, compare them with the results of the main tests accepted by universities, and calculate how much time it will take to prepare, based on the current language level student, the table at this link will help.
Preparing for tests carried out according to special textbooks. Russian programs are calculated on average for 30-40 classroom lessons (from 1 to 4 months, depending on the intensity of the course). For Advanced level students, one-day programs are offered. It should be remembered that tests impose strict requirements on the structure and content of answers and essays, and this often causes difficulties for students. Russian students. Regardless of the level of language proficiency, learn to clearly structure your thoughts in writing- a separate task of preparation.
For high-quality assimilation of a foreign language, a large amount of independent work. It is necessary to read, listen, communicate and practice writing skills as much as possible, that is, to use the language just for the purposes for which it is studied. It is advisable to devote as much time to such activities as to grammar and exercises.
4. Choose where, how and with whom to prepare
Depending on the preparation tasks and personal priorities, you can choose one of the following methods:
- Courses in the UK and Russia
- With a teacher
- On one's own
- Practice
We plan and ... we act!
- determine the level of language proficiency;
- clarify the requirements of universities and the deadlines for submitting documents;
- choose the most appropriate exam/certificate;
- choose the form of classes: courses, private teacher, self-training;
- we select the language program that is optimal in terms of content, intensity and cost.
It's time to act!
» How to assess your level of English? What are international language exams?
Knowing English is great, and everyone knows it. And the higher the level, the better. However, when it comes to practical question- for example, when applying for a job - "Do you know English?", difficulties begin. “I know English” is knowledge at what level?
In general, to measure the level of the language there is a special universal scale of knowledge of a foreign language CEFR (read “cf-ar”). The result of most tests will be tied to the CEFR in one way or another. How this system appeared, what levels it has and how it all works -.
Now it is important for us that one of key features CEFR is a description of the levels, such as “can understand a short simple sentence by ear”, or “a way to read non-adapted literature”. If you already have enough experience in the practical use of English and are ready to take an unbiased look at yourself from the outside, you can try to independently compare your skills with the CEFR levels.
The result - within 5-10 minutes you can assess your level according to the generally recognized international scale. The problem with this method is that this assessment will be your subjective assessment (“and then the card flooded me”), which is unlikely to be taken for granted when applying for a job or entering an institute. And is it possible to be as objective as possible in relation to oneself, because “you won’t praise yourself, no one will praise you”. So, you need some independent way to test your knowledge. Here are some options:
(Marketing) online tests
If you type “English language test” in a Yandex or Google search, a whole mountain of entertainment and marketing tests will appear in the results - most of which work according to the “find out your level of English right now (and then wait for a call from our call center)” scheme. This is a very popular online marketing tool, but can it really measure your level?
Let's just say that if only employees of the marketing department had a hand in writing such a test, it is unlikely. If sometimes employees of the academic department (teachers and methodologists) also came to the marketing department, then perhaps such a test will show something very approximate. With two very serious reservations.
First problem. At best, using a test with 10-15 questions can only approximately assess the level of knowledge of the language. That is, if the test showed a result of B1, then in reality it means that "your level of English is most likely somewhere between strong A2 and weak B2, but almost certainly not A1 and not C1." The more questions in such a test, the greater the accuracy, but ... here comes problem number two.
Second. If you have already tried one or two of these online tests, remember what the questions looked like? A phrase with a missing word in which you need to insert some verb in the desired form. ... Or a suitable preposition ... At best, choose right word from a number of synonyms. As a result, almost always in such tests your knowledge of grammatical rules is checked, and maybe a little vocabulary. But to find out whether you will understand an article read in a foreign newspaper or whether you can convey your point of view in a conversation with a foreigner - here such a test cannot give an answer.
English school certificates
English language schools at the end of a certain stage of education issue students with certificates of successful completion course. As a rule, to obtain a certificate, you still need to not only pay for training, but also leave the required number of hours and, possibly, pass some kind of test.
This option is already much better than toy online tests. If only because the school will most likely not enroll you in the advanced group if you cannot connect two words. And the fact that you need to take a certain number of classes to get a certificate means that you spent some time in a group of English learners at this level.
