The levels
The levels of our language courses are in line with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR):
A1: Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic sentences. Can introduce him or herself and others, and can ask personal questions – for example: where someone lives, people they know or what things they have – and be able to answer such questions themselves. Can make themselves understood in simple terms, provided the other person speaks slowly and clearly.
A2: Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions (e.g. information about self and family, shopping, work, and local environment). Can make oneself understood in simple and day-to-day situations. Can describe using simple methods own background and education/training, the immediate environment and matters in connection with immediate needs.
B1: Can understand the main points, when clear standard speech is used and when it concerns familiar matters to do with work, school, and leisure etc. Can deal with most situations, which arise in the area of language, whilst travelling ‘abroad’. Can express oneself in simple terms and in connection with familiar themes and in areas of personal interests. Can report experiences and events, dreams, hopes and goals, and can give short reasonings and explanations for plans and opinions.
B2: Can understand the main content of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, as well as subject-specific discussions in one’s own area of expertise.(field of specialisation.) Can communicate so spontaneously and fluently, that a normal conversation with a mother-tongue speaker is very possible, without great strain on both sides. Can express oneself clearly and in detail on a broad spectrum of themes, and explain an opinion on a topical question and give the pros and cons of each different possibility.
C1: Can comprehend a broad range of demanding and longer texts, and can also recognise implied meanings. Can explain oneself spontaneously and fluently, without having to obviously search for words. Can use the language flexibly and effectively in social and work life, or in training and studies. Can express oneself clearly, and in a structured and detailed way on complex subjects and use thereby different means such as the controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.
C2: Can understand with ease virtually everything read or heard. Can summarise information from different written and spoken sources, communicating explanations (reasons/arguments) in a related presentation. Can express oneself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, and in connection with the more complex types of themes, can also identify the finer points of meaning.
Further information on the CEFR can be found here: www.goethe.de
