English levels
What's your level of knowledge? How good are you at speaking William Shakespeare's language? Answering right this questions is essential when deciding the kind of course to attend.
Try to be honest about your level! To help you, there are a lot of free on-line tests, you only need to suf the Internet.
Students can be classified according to plenty of criteria, all involving some of the following levels:
- Absolute Beginner: a person who has never studied English;
- Beginner: a person who knows a few words and verbs, usually the ones learnt watching TV or listening to the radio;
- Elementary: a person who can say very elementary sentences, limited to basic verbs and words;
- Upper Elementary: when in known environments, he/she can understands the meaning of some sentences, in addition to speaking simple sentences, the same as the previous step;
- Lower Intermediate: he/she can speak English by using an essential dictionary and a limited range of verbs, when in known environments. Words and verbs are often not the right ones; also grammar is far to be acceptable.
- Intermediate: in spite of the fact that speaking barriers are not completely removed and words and verbs are not properly used, his/her level of understanding is acceptable. In addition, he/she can better use the language in known environments;
- Upper Intermediate: although the use of general English can still be a problem, its use in specific environments, for example, the one where he/she works, tend to be good enough.
- Pre-Advanced: better understanding and fluency, mistakes are less common;
- Advanced: English can be used in formal and informal situations. He/she knows a lot of idioms and phrasal verbs and can manage new situations;
- Proficient: very high level of knowledge, almost the one of an Englishman/woman.