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| Language Levels explained |
| German Language & Culture Institute |
This European Framework divides learners into three categories, which can be sub-divided into six
levels:
You can do the following on each level:
A: Basic User
A1 / Textbook: Berliner Platz 1
B: Independent User
C: Proficient User
C1
C2
Note:
To be recognized with credits at a particular level, the learner needs to take an assessment test, which
this course does not administer. However, the completion of one book can serve the learners as a
learning gauge at what level of proficiency they could be, depending on the applied amount of dedication
and seriousness.
levels:
- A Basic User
- A1 Breakthrough
- A2 Waystage
- B Independent User
- B1 Threshold
- B2 Vantage
- C Proficient User
- C1 Effective Operational Proficiency
- C2 Mastery
You can do the following on each level:
A: Basic User
A1 / Textbook: Berliner Platz 1
- 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.
- 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.
B: Independent User
- 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
& ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
- Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including
technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. 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.
C: Proficient User
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 organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.
C2
- Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise 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.
Note:
To be recognized with credits at a particular level, the learner needs to take an assessment test, which
this course does not administer. However, the completion of one book can serve the learners as a
learning gauge at what level of proficiency they could be, depending on the applied amount of dedication
and seriousness.
What do these levels mean?
| Beginner Level |
|
| Intermediate Level |
|
| Advanced to native-speaker like Level |
|
American Language Standards used in schools. The textbook Berliner Platz used in our German courses,
is based on the CEFR (see below).
Had some German before?
If you have had German before and are not sure which course to take, you may:
is based on the CEFR (see below).
Had some German before?
If you have had German before and are not sure which course to take, you may:
- Contact the instructor, Antje Carlson, Tel: 345-0426 or by e-mail:
- take an electronic placement test.
- Register for free and a PDF document will be returned to you.
Go to: Assessment Test
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