Language ability levels

What people can do at various levels of competence in a foreign language.

© Executive Languages 1995 - 2004

SURVIVORS

understand simple words or phrases; read lists or simple notices; converse by answerig or asking very basic questions: speak about where they live and people they know: write a postcard or fill in a form.

BASIC USERS

understand or get the gist of conversations on familiar topics; read ads, forms, menus, timetables; converse, given help, by exchanging simple, direct information in familiar topic areas; speak in simple sentences about where they live, people in their family or work; write very simple emails, messages or notes.

INTERMEDIATE USERS

understand the gist of most conversations on familiar topics; read job-related texts or texts on topics they encounter often; converse and begin to contribute unpreparedly on topics they know about; speak in longer, more complex sentences, but with frequent errors; write using joined-up sentences and produce a simple report, memo or business letter.

EFFECTIVE USERS

understand complex lines of argument, long sentences, most everyday TV and radio programmes;  read most newspaper and magazine articles and begin to enjoy reading books in their target language; converse actively with native speakers with spontaneity; speak easily and clearly on a wide topic range and give presentations; write clear, detailed texts, such as complex reports.

PROFICIENT USERS

understand TV and radio easily and all types of speech; read articles of all kinds for pleasure; converse fluently and spontaneously without limitation; speak and negotiate with native speakers on almost level terms; write complex reports and texts easily

FLUENT USERS

are virtually indistinguishable in all respects from native speakers of the target language.