Assessing your current level
To assess your level please use the following as a guide to show the level of understanding and ability that you should have reached before joining our classes.
If you would like more advice, please tick the box on the application form and we will contact you by telephone. Alternatively, our staff will be happy to help you at our Open Days.
- Beginners
You have never learnt the language before. - Elementary
You can use and understand simple phrases and sentences on familiar topics for immediate needs to handle basic situations and simple interactions. - Pre-Intermediate
You can understand the main points in short, simple spoken and written communications on everyday matters and familiar topics, and speak and write about personal matters such as family, friends, education and work. - Intermediate
You can understand the main points in spoken and written communications on familiar matters encountered in everyday contexts and handle most everyday situations with adequate confidence. You can read and understand the gist of easy newspaper articles and speak and write on matters of personal interest, but you lack fluency. - Upper Intermediate
You can understand people speaking clearly and slowly on matters of personal and general interest and use the language fairly independently and effectively in all familiar and moderately difficult situations. - Advanced 1
You can understand the gist of some broadcast materials delivered clearly and slowly and use a wide range of vocabulary and structures with confidence in most situations of personal relevance. You can initiate and respond to arguments and can make suggestions. You may have studied to A level or equivalent recently. - Advanced 2 and Proficiency
You can understand the main points of written descriptions of events and programmes broadcast on radio and television delivered relatively slowly in the standard accent. You have extended your speaking and writing skills to give you more freedom of expression and fluency. Communication and comprehension are effective on most occasions. - Independent User
You can use the language effectively and in most situations, understand much of the detail in news and current affairs programmes on radio and TV, read contemporary fiction and press articles and speak and write fluently. You can present information orally and in writing and discuss and debate at ease.
