Definition

In order to precisely assess the linguistic skills of our learners, we use the norms defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFRL).

Leaning a language 'for good' requires accurate and reliable evaluation.

Our instructors are fully knowlegeable of the judging criteria required to measure your language skills, and will be able to guide you and monitor your progress.

Level B1 (Threshold) is the third level of language proficiency defined by the CEFRL.

A B1 learner has the ability to maintain interaction and get across what you want to, in a range of contexts:

• generally follow the main points of extended discussion around him/her,
• provided speech is clearly articulated in standard dialect;
• give or seek personal views and opinions in an informal discussion with friends;
• express the main point he/she wants to make comprehensively;
• exploit a wide range of simple language flexibly to express much of what he or she wants to;
• maintain a conversation or discussion but may sometimes be difficult to follow when trying to say exactly what he/she would like to;
• keep going comprehensively, even though pausing for grammatical and lexical planning and repair is very evident, especially in longer stretches of free production.

  A B1 learner has the ability to cope flexibly with problems in everyday life:

  • cope with less routine situations on public transport;
  • deal with most situations likely to arise when making travel arrangements through an agent or when actually travelling;
  • enter unprepared into conversations on familiar topics;
  • make a complaint;
  • take some initiatives in an interview/consultation (e.g. to bring up a new subject)
  • but is very dependent on interviewer in the interaction;
  • ask someone to clarify or elaborate what they have just said.

  Global scale of skills

  The global scale of the common reference of the CEFRL defines A2 level learners as capable of the following linguistic skills:

  • 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 travelling 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 and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

  Self-assessment

  If I am a B1 level learner:
  • I can understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. I can understand the main point of many radio or TV programmes on current affairs or topics of personal or professional interest when the delivery is relatively slow and clear.
  • I can understand texts that consist mainly of high frequency everyday or job-related language. I can understand the description of events, feelings and wishes in personal letters.
  • I can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. I can enter unprepared into conversation on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life (e.g. family, hobbies, work, travel and current events).
  • I can connect phrases in a simple way in order to describe experiences and events, my dreams, hopes and ambitions. I can briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. I can narrate a story or relate the plot of a book or film and describe my reactions.
  • I can write simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. I can write personal letters describing experiences and impressions.

Are you an B1-learner ?

Enchanté de faire votre connaissance, je suis Tom

Je ne suis pas carnivore mais flexitarien

Je peux acheter un billet de train

Measure your French proficiency in minutes!

If Tom wants to get a better idea of his proficiency level in French, he can take our online Ev@lang French proficiency test.

Taking the test does not require any assistance.

You will receive a certificate of your estimated proficiency immediately after the test.

Please click on the image below for further instructions