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Measuring language proficiency with CEFR
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
CEFR is a guideline for learning, teaching and assessment of languages used to describe achievements of learners of foreign languages across Europe and, increasingly, in other countries, including the Kyrgyz Republic and Russia.
CEFR allows us to measure and compare the effectiveness of our language program over all languages with one universal scale and split classes into effective learning groups.
– Richard Heider • Operation and Liaison Officer
What are language proficiency levels?
How well a person uses a language, called language proficiency is described using the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
also used by Cambridge English Qualifications
.
- A1: Basic user > Breakthrough or beginner
- A2: Basic user > Waystage or elementary
- B1: Independent user > Threshold or intermediate
- B2: Independent user > Vantage or upper intermediate
- C1: Proficient user > Effective operational proficiency or advanced
- C2: Proficient user > Mastery or proficiency
C1 and C2 are considered academic proficiency level. The tests also account for the ability to understand and process complex information. In fact many native speakers may not pass a C level language test in their mother language without preparation.
Basic User
Language Users at A level have a basic understanding of the language and can use it in familiar context and situations. They can interact on a personal level and talk about themselves, their life and others.
Language proficiency level: A1
Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
Language proficiency level: A2
Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
Independent User
Language users at the B levels can already use a language well and have a good understanding in that target language. They can handle situations in work, school and in everyday life well. They can handle complex situations and communicate sufficiently. They can comprehend tests and speech by native speakers, but may still express themselves in simpler grammatical constructs.
Language proficiency level: B1
Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst traveling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
Language proficiency level: B2
Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialization. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
Proficient User: C proficiency levels
These levels certify the ability to use a language on an academic level, reading complicated studies, or even writing them. As such C level language tests do not just test for mere everyday use of a language, but also evaluate the education level and academic thinking ability of a user.
C level users are supposed to be able to use a language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Students at that level are expected to be able to produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on academic complex subjects.
This is the highest language level and even most native speakers in any language are not expected to pass a c level language test, at least not without intensive preparation.
Language proficiency level: C1
Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.
Language proficiency level: C2
Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.
Language Proficiency Scales compared
Other scales, like IELTS, Linguaskill or the Cambridge English Scale give a more precise representation of the language skill of an individual. They are used to evaluate applicants at university applications and for job positions. CEFR started out with a different goal. The CEFR classification allows schools, language centers and universities to easily group students into courses and effectivly teach them a language. It also provides a framework to structure teaching plans, course materials and books.
The CEFR standard has proven to be highly effective in harmonizeing language syllabuses over different publishers and language instituion. It also unitizes language assessment standards over all languages and makes proficency levels of speakers in different languages comparable.
The CEFR standard simplifies how expected language levels, e.g. for work positions in job advertisments are described.
Where the CEFR standard is used?
The CEFR is used in teacher education, the reform of foreign and local language curricula and for the development of teaching materials. CEFR provides comparability of qualifications and language proficiency levels. Due to its simplicity, effectiveness and detailed documentation, this European standard is getting adopted world wide, which transforms it into a global standard for talking about language levels.
Efficient Grouping
CEFR helps us to conduct classes more effectively while efficiently using teaching resources. This helps us to keep our costs down and stay affordable.
The standard provides “Reference Level Descriptions (language by language)” and supplementary descriptors.
CEFR also provides illustrations of the European levels of language proficiency. To ensure that the language proficiency reference levels set out in CEFR are interpreted in a consistent way by all language professionals, the Language Policy Unit provides material illustrating these levels in a number of languages.
CEFR is more than a language proficiency scale
The CEFR’s scales of foreign language proficiency are accompanied by a detailed analysis of communicative contexts, themes, tasks and purposes as well as scaled descriptions of the competences on which we draw when we communicate.
At SRIS we use CEFR in teacher education, to improve our language curricullum of the second local language (Russian or Kyrgyz) and foreign languages. We use teaching materials and books designed for the CEFR standard. These make our qualifications compatible with all institutions and countries using the CEFR language proficiency standard in education.
Applicable to all languages
The CEFR is based on achievements and has developed a description of the learning process of mastering an unknown language by type of language competence and sub-competence, using descriptors for each competence or sub-competence. These language proficency descriptors were created without reference to any specific language, which guarantees their relevance for all languages, non-native to the speaker. The descriptors specify progressive mastery of each skill, which is graded on a six-level scale (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2).
Becoming a global standard
While developed for the needs of the multilingual European Union by the Counsil of Europe.
The first specification of this “threshold level” was formulated for the English language in 1975 and quickly followed by a language proficency scale for French in 1976.
The application of these proficiency levels in applied education, constitute one of the origins of the six-level scale of the CEFR.
Launched in 2001, the CEFR marked a major turning point as it can be adapted and used for multiple contexts and applied for all languages.
The Kyrgyz Republic is using CEFR
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Russian language proficiency is measured with CEFR
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CEFR in the Kyrgyz Republic
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Productivity
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Synchronize
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Russian Language assessment
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Fast & Easy Work
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Create Result
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Available CEFR Resources
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Responsive
Customizable
UI Elements
Clean Code
Documented
Free Updates
Rewiews
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FAQ
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