Caledonian School

Language Skills Assessment Chart

 

Level A1 - skills
Listening Students understand words and simple sentences in relation to their person and the immediate surroundings, provided that the speaker speaks clearly and distinctly.
Reading Students comprehend basic phrases and sentences for example in announcements, on posters, or in brochures or catalogues.
Conversation
Students are able to carry out a conversation provided that their partner is ready to repeat information, slow down their speech or express himself / herself in different way and help the students articulate their attempted message. Students are able to ask and answer questions about common things and well-known topics.
Speaking Students are able to use simple sentences and phrases to describe where they live and to describe people around them.
Writing Students can write simple short messages, for example, holiday postcards. They should also be able to fill out a personal data form (name, nationality, address) while registering in a hotel for example.
 

Level A2 - skills
Listening Students understand sentences and commonly used expressions from areas that are directly related to them (e.g., talking about oneself, family, shopping, living area, job). Students grasp the core meaning of short, clear, and simple statements and announcements.
Reading Students are able to read short, straightforward texts. They are also able to find expected information in daily materials such as advertising flyers, menus, bus and train timetables. Students can comprehend short and uncomplicated personal letters.
Conversation Students do not have difficulties to communicate routine situations requiring an information exchange concerning known topics and activities. They can manage a small talk even though their comprehension is not good enough to keep the conversation going.
Speaking Students can use a number of phrases and expressions to describe their family, other people, their living situation, their past education, and their current or past occupation.
Writing Students are able to produce simple texts, they can take notes and short messages. They can also write a very simple personal letter to thank someone, for example.

 

Level B1 - skills
Listening Students are able to understand a main message, in a standard speech, about commonly known matters which we regularly encounter at work, school, in one’s free time. They typically have a gist comprehension of radio and TV broadcasting concerning current events and objects of one’s interest.
Reading Students understand general text or text related to their work environment. They can also understand a description of events, feelings, and wishes often expressed in personal letters.
Conversation Students are able to deal with the majority of situations which may arise while travelling in a country of the given language. Without preparation, they can initiate a conversation about topics which they are familiar with, which they are interested in, or which relate to everyday situations (e.g., family, hobbies, work, travelling, current events).
Speaking Students can connect phrases and expressions in a simple way to describe their experiences and incidents, their dreams, hopes and ambitions. They can also express and justify their opinions and plans in rather simpler manner. They are able to tell stories or recount a film or a book plot and express their reaction to it.
Writing Students can produce a simple continuous text on a topic that is interesting or well known to them. They can also write personal letters describing their experiences and impressions.

 

Level B2 - skills
Listening Students are able to understand longer speeches and lectures and they can follow more complicated content, provided that they are familiar with the given topic. They are able to understand the majority of TV broadcasting about common affairs. They understand a majority of films in a standard dialect.
Reading They can read articles and news concerning current problems in which the authors side certain opinions or express their personal attitudes. They can understand modern literary works.
Conversation Students are able to communicate with a certain level of fluency and spontaneity, so they can naturally converse with native speakers. They are able to actively participate in a discussion of a familiar context and they can explain and defend their opinion. 
Speaking Students are able to express themselves clearly and in detail when talking about a number of topics related to their interests. They can also explain their point of view when discussing current affairs and state the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
Writing Students are able to produce a clear, detailed text about various topics related to their interests. They are able to write essays, reports, or compositions. They can also write letters expressing the meaning of described events and experiences.

 

Level C1 - skills
Listening Students understand longer speech even if the speech is not clearly structured and its divisions are not particularly marked. They are also able to understand TV broadcasting and films without major effort.
Reading Students understand longer and more complicated factual as well as literary texts and they can appreciate the style they are written in. They can also understand specialized articles and longer technical instructions even though they may not directly relate to their work field.
Conversation Students can express themselves fluently and spontaneously without having to search for suitable words very often. Their language usage is flexible and effective in social as well as professional contacts. They are able to articulate their thoughts and opinions exactly and they can skilfully follow up on others’ contributions to the conversation.
Speaking Students are able to describe clearly and in detail complicated topics, introduce related secondary topics, develop some chosen points and terminate the conversation with an appropriate conclusion.
Writing Students can express their opinion in a well articulated and well organized text and explain their viewpoints in detail. They can write essays or reports dealing with complex topics and emphasize points that they considered important. They are capable of choosing a proper style for a potential reader. 

 

Level C2 - skills
Listening Without any difficulties students understand all types of spoken language, live or broadcasted, even when the speed is native like. They need very short time to adjust with particular pronunciation or accent.
Reading Students do not have any difficulties with reading any form of written texts, including abstract, structurally or linguistically complex texts; for example manuals, specialized articles and literary works.
Conversation Students can easily participate in any kind of conversation or discussion and they can actively use idiomatic and colloquial expressions. They speak fluently and they can express various nuances of meaning. Should there be any communication break-down, students can paraphrase their statements in a natural way that is not disruptive for the other participants of the conversation.
Speaking Students are able to present continuous description or speech appropriate for the given context. They can incorporate an effective structure which helps their listeners capture and remember important points.
Writing Students are able to write in a clear and smooth style appropriate for the situation. They can produce complicated letters, reports, or articles which are structured so that a reader captures and remembers important points. They can also write resumes and reviews of specialized as well as literary works.