How
good do you think your English is? What
level do you put yourself? One of the
scales of language assessment is the CEFR or Common European Framework of
Reference. If you see A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 or C2 on your English textbooks then that's what that means. Common European Framework of Reference - it’s an awful name but it is
a useful system for measuring language ability.
Here is the structure and descriptions.
What is intermediate level?
Here
is how CEFR defines B1: the ability to maintain conversation and the ability to
independently deal with problems in
day-to-day life. Let me make this clearer.
Some
people like to talk a lot and some people hate talking. Some people are very social and some people
like to be alone most of the time. This
is not important for measuring your level of English. What is important is your ability.
Can you have a conversation of 5 or 10 minutes with somebody in
English? Not, do you like having
conversations of 5 or 10 minutes with somebody in English?
 |
Is your English good enough to call the plumber,
explain the problem and arrange for him to fix this?
(Photo from Flickr) |
With
the problems of day-to-day life, some people can fix washing machines and some
people can’t, some people know how to pay their bills on the internet and some
people prefer to pay their bills at the bank.
It is not a problem if you
cannot do these things, it is a problem
if you cannot do these things because your
English is not good enough.
A2 vs B1: What's the difference?
There
is a big difference between A2 and B1 and it is more than grammar and
vocabulary. B1 learners are independent learners and users. An intermediate student takes more
responsibility for their learning and becomes more autonomous (another word that means ‘independent’). Let’s look at the description in more detail:
Can deal with most situations
likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken.
If
you travel to another countries are you confident that you can deal with a
restaurant? Book a hotel on the
phone? Deal with a taxi driver who needs directions? Deal with the police if necessary?
I had to deal with the Mexican police once
because I was parked in the wrong place – it was not easy.
 |
Is your English good enough to deal
with a parking ticket if you need to?
(Photo from Flickr) |
Would
you feel confident going to an English-speaking country and using your English
for these things?
Can describe experiences and
events, dreams, hopes and ambitions...
This
is probably the most difficult part of B1.
Can you describe these things and people understand you? Can you talk about a funny situation that
happened last week? Can you explain what
you want to be doing in one year?
... and briefly give reasons
and explanations for opinions and plans.
Can
you explain why you want things like
good English, a better English score or a job with an international company? Can you have a full conversation
about these ambitions and plans?
Cambridge ESOL
Cambridge
identifies the difference between A2 and B1 like this, “Understanding at Level B1 differs in that it goes beyond merely being
able to pick out facts and may involve opinions, attitudes, moods and wishes.”
Basically
this means a few things.
1. You need to be able to give and support
opinions and attitudes. Compare these
two examples:
A2: I want this chair. It is comfortable.
B1: I would prefer this chair because I think it
is better for my back.
The
B1 example is more polite (“I would prefer”),
shows opinion (“I think”) and
explains the situation (“better for my
back”)
2. You need to change your vocabulary to help
the listener understand your mood or feelings.
A2: I am not happy because you failed my essay.
A2+: I’m upset with my essay grade. I don’t think you were fair.
or
B1: I was disappointed that you gave me a low
grade. I think it was better.
or
B1: I was surprised that you gave me a low
grade. Could you look at it again?
All
of these examples basically give the same information: feeling + reason. However, the B1 examples are better because they
all give the information in a more polite way using vocabulary that is less direct
and argumentative. The A2+ example
certainly uses better grammar and vocabulary but it is still direct and
argumentative.
B1 users
of English needs to understand the context of the situation (a student complaining
to a teacher) and understand that argumentative language is not the correct
English to use for a positive result.
3. Another example would be this.
A2: I need to leave 10 minutes early. I have an appointment.
B1: Could I leave 10 minutes early today? I have an important appointment and I shouldn’t
be late.
Again,
both of these sentences give the same information. However, B1 makes a polite request (“Could I...?”) but A2 gives an order (“I need...”). Also, B1 gives more relevant information (“important appointment” and “shouldn’t be late”). B1 shows a better attitude and will probably
have permission to leave early whereas A2 probably will not.
Some tips for assessing
yourself:
- Ask yourself, how many times does someone
stop me and ask me to repeat? How many
times does someone stop me and want me to explain again? How many times does a person chatting with me
not understand my ideas. Not the words, the ideas.
- How long does it take me to write an email in
English? How much help do I need to use
my English in my job? Can I write a
clear email that is easy to understand for users of English? When I get emails in English, do I always/usually/sometimes
need help to understand the meaning?
- Do I make phone calls/Skype calls in English
for my job or do I get someone else to do it for me? Do I understand, more or less, voice messages
I get on my phone in English?
Useful Links/References
