What are the levels of language proficiency

Intermediate - what level is it? A slightly different system is used to describe levels of English than with other languages. According to the European Language Portfolio (CEFR), language proficiency is defined by the following levels A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2.

In the case of English, all levels are given an additional name from Beginner to Advanced. This is due to the fact that the English level system developed before the introduction of CEFR. A brief description of each level in terms of student knowledge looks like this:

Elementary possession	A1 beginner	The student understands short messages in English, can talk about himself, his work and free time, and navigate in standard everyday situations. Listening comprehension is mainly tied to the recognition of individual words and expressions. Written communication skills are minimal.
	Elementary	The student can tell about himself, about the events of the past, about plans for the future in relatively detail. Owns three or four basic temporary forms. Speech is slow, individual errors are possible even in basic forms Oh. Recognizes familiar words and expressions in oral communication.
Self Ownership	Pre-Intermediate	The student understands oral and written messages in the standard language, can take part in a simple conversation, navigate in most standard situations. Can talk about past events, plans for the future, conduct a conversation on abstract topics with the support of the interlocutor. The basic grammatical forms are generally stable.
	intermediate	At this level, there is a transition from dialogic to monologue speech. The student consistently uses basic grammatical forms, can express shades of meanings to a limited extent. Beginning to learn such speech genres like presentation, story, retelling. Listening comprehension allows you to perceive unadapted messages, capture their general meaning, as well as a significant part of the details.
Fluency	Upper Intermediate	The student can navigate freely in extensive texts in English, using a dictionary from time to time. Medium-tempo speech, with linking elements, which allows you to work effectively with monologue genres. The student has some difficulty in expressing abstract ideas, but in most cases these difficulties can be overcome. The automatic use of non-basic grammatical forms begins.
	C2 Advanced	Student understands any message- oral or written, owns shades of words and idioms. Communicates freely in the vast majority of situations, does not need the services of an interpreter or intermediary when communicating with native speakers. Owns most of grammatical means language.

In fact, English language levels do not fully correspond to CEFR levels. For example, the Elementary level covers only part of A2, it could be more accurately described as an intermediate level of A1- A2, but for simplicity, these little things are usually ignored.

What you need to know at the Intermediate level

As can be seen from the table, all levels are divided into three large groups: elementary proficiency, independent proficiency and fluency. It is assumed that at the Beginner and Elementary levels, the student can keep up the conversation, relying largely on the speech of the interlocutor, on Pre-Intermediate and Intermediate- communicate more independently, and at the highest levels- to clearly and fully express their thoughts and emotions in the language.

Most often, after a regular school and a non-linguistic university, people speak the language at a level up to Pre-Intermediate. Although the Pre-Intermediate and Intermediate levels are related in the CEFR system, there is a significant difference between them. Knowledge of English at the Intermediate level implies the ability to communicate not only in a dialogue situation, but to build sufficiently long monologue messages. Therefore, the issue of overcoming the "language barrier" is often associated with the transition to the Intermediate (intermediate) level of English. To do this, you need to not only expand your vocabulary, learn to understand native speakers, but also expand your knowledge of linking words and more complex grammatical forms. Only after that you can move to the Upper-Intermediate level.

Intermediate level- this is the minimum level sufficient for more or less fluent communication in the language on any topic. A person with such knowledge will be able to find a way out of any situation, solve any domestic problem. In addition, only at this level is formed a stable knowledge that will remain with you for life. In other words, if you started training from scratch, it is recommended not to interrupt it until the Intermediate level is reached.

Intermediate level program

The course involves the development following topics:

Subject	Grammar	Vocabulary
food	present simple and continuous Action and non-action verbs	food and restaurants
sports	past tenses	Sport
Family	future forms	family, personality
Introductions	revision	personal information
Money	Present Perfect and Past Simple	Money numbers
Changing your life	Present Perfect Continuous	Strong adjectives
Transport and travel	Comparatives and superlatives	Transport and travel
office	revision	In the office
Manners	Bond	Telephone English
Appearances	Must, may, might, should (deduction)	Describing people
Abilities	Can, could, be able to	-ed / -ing adjectives
Renting a flat	revision	Houses and flats
The school	First Conditional and future time clauses	Education
Dreams	Second Conditional	Houses
Friendship	Usually used to	Friendship
Describing a dwelling	revision	Houses and flats
Work	Quantifiers	Noun formation
men and women	articles	Verbs / adjectives + prepositions
Careers	Gerunds and infinitives	Work
Meetings	revision	Giving opinion
Resume / CV	revision	CV
Shopping	Reported speech	Shopping
Cinema	passive	Cinema
Heroes	Relative clauses	What people do
news	revision	Giving and reacting to the news
lucky	Third Conditional	Making adjectives and adverbs
Crime	Question tags	compound nouns
Television	Phrasal verbs	Television
Apologizing	revision	Apologies and excuses

As you can see from the program, the training includes not only everyday, but also more abstract topics. Level of knowledge of English Intermediate- this is, first of all, the ability to adequately express one's opinion and build monologue messages on a variety of topics.

Grammar material includes the repetition of basic forms and familiarity with more complex forms, such as indirect speech. It is especially important to master the so-called "narrative tenses": Past Continuous, Past Perfect, Past Perfect Continuous, Future in the Past, because they are used in connected texts. The final honing of these forms takes place already at the Upper-Intermediate level.

The end-of-level test includes both oral and written part. Vocabulary, grammar, listening comprehension, the ability to tell a story and write an essay in English are tested.

The term of study at the level

Learning takes 80 - 100 academic hours. Basic allowance- textbook New English File from Oxford University Press.

Courses by Intermediate level

Besides we also offer special . Since we understand the specifics of this level very well, the main activities in the lesson are aimed at overcoming the speech barrier and developing independent language proficiency. There are many dialogic trainings in the classroom, students work on presentations and projects, perform written assignments: write essays, letters, reports. Education takes place exclusively in English, which develops the ability to understand speech by ear.

For greater involvement of students in the process of self-learning the language, we follow the principle of “learning through teaching” (Lernen durch Lehren): under the guidance of a teacher, students explain vocabulary and grammar to each other, tell news, and retell texts they have read on their own.

To increase the effectiveness of teaching face-to-face lessons, work is accompanied by work in the Soho Bridge Online online system, where students can train vocabulary and grammar for specific lessons.

Every person studying English sooner or later came across the concept of “English language levels” and their letter designations. An unprepared person has many questions: why is such a division necessary and how to attribute oneself to the desired group?

English Proficiency Levels

There are only six levels in English, and they were invented in order to easily and accurately divide students into groups depending on their knowledge and skills in writing, listening, reading and speaking. Also, this system helps in testing and exam procedures that involve different purposes of learning a language: work, study, travel, immigration, and so on.

So, in order to determine your level of English proficiency, you need to know your approximate amount of knowledge and skills in several aspects of the language. Below we present brief descriptions of all six levels of English, after reading which it will be easier for you to understand this issue.

A1 - Beginner

The initial level of language proficiency with a vocabulary of less than 1500 words. You must understand short phrases and expressions in English that express everyday needs, read short inscriptions supported by illustrations. The level of speaking is limited by the ability to introduce oneself and introduce others, ask basic everyday questions and answer them. You perceive speech only very slow and clear, the interlocutor should help you in the dialogue.

A2-Elementary

Elementary level of language proficiency with a vocabulary of 1500-2500 words. At this level, you need to be able to express yourself in various everyday situations, be able to talk about yourself and your hobbies, talk about your needs, understand expressions various topics that we meet in Everyday life and read elementary letters.

B1-Intermediate

This is an intermediate level of language proficiency, assuming you have a vocabulary of 2750-3250 words. This level is suitable for you if you can explain various situations that happen to you abroad, watch films in English, but you are prompted by images on the screen, can read brochures, simple short documents, advertising messages, and if you are able to write short essay or a letter in English.

B2 - Upper intermediate

Intermediate-advanced level with a vocabulary of 3250-3750 words. You should be able to discuss in an expanded form the scope of your activity, understand complex texts on various topics, and also communicate freely with native speakers, without experiencing difficulties, speak out in wide circle topics, analyze problems and find ways to solve them. You can easily write a letter and an essay on a topic unfamiliar to you, as well as freely view English-language TV programs of various kinds.

C1-Advanced

Advanced level of language proficiency. Vocabulary should be around 3750-4500 words. Owning this level, it is easy to understand complex and voluminous texts, sees in them hidden meanings. You must be able to express yourself freely and even spontaneously, without experiencing difficulties in choosing the right words. English should be used without problems by you in any of the spheres of life: both in scientific, and in professional and everyday life. It is not difficult for you to conduct a dialogue and correspondence on any of the topics.

C2 - Proficiency

This level implies perfect knowledge of the English language at the level of a native speaker. It is not difficult for the owner of this level to think freely and speak spontaneously on any topic, to understand everything read and heard in English, to formulate his opinion and argument on any issue.

The correct name for this classification is the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​(CEFR). It was created by the Council of Europe in 1989-1996 and provides training recommendations for students various languages, including Russian.

Demand for the Intermediate level

The most popular level of English proficiency can be called B1 or Intermediate (from English “medium”). In another way, it is also called threshold, because it is he who separates base levels advanced language skills. Possession of it is required by potential employers when applying for a job, educational institutions (both Russian and foreign) for successful admission, and the level is also perfect for traveling and even moving abroad.

By owning B1, you will be able to speak English quite fluently, discussing various topics: both everyday and professional. You can perceive foreign speech at an average pace and understand by ear almost everything that is said.

Who should start learning a language from level B1?

The most obvious is, of course, that a person must know or take a course in the previous levels, which can be called Pre-Intermediate. Intermediate is also recommended for those who have already started learning English from this level, but have forgotten a lot and there is a need to refresh all the information in their memory.

We also include people with fluent speaking skills who can keep up the conversation, but often “slow down” in choosing the right and necessary words.

People who are able to understand English, but only at a slow pace and very clearly, can also learn B1.

The vocabulary of such students is quite complete and good, but from time to time it still becomes necessary to refer to dictionaries and translators.

It is also important here to understand the basics of English grammar, tenses and vocabulary, but in more difficult questions knowledge is not enough.

How to determine if there is knowledge of English at the Intermediate level?

There are several skills and areas of knowledge of the language that can be used to judge how well you know English: these are grammar, vocabulary, speaking, reading, listening and writing. Each of the categories has its own standards and requirements, and if you own them, then you can safely consider yourself an intermediate level B1!

Grammar

The level assumes that you understand:

• in all tenses of the English language and their subtleties:present, Past and Future Simple; present, Past and Future Continuous; present, Past and Future Perfect; present, Past and Future Perfect Continuous;
• in designs used to do and to be used to do, their use and the essence of sentences with them;
• using the future tense, you understand the difference between the constructionto be going to, Present Continuousfor future action andFuture Simple;
• you know what it is modal verbs and understand the differences between them (for example,You mustn't and You don't have);
• know how to correctly use the gerund and the infinitive after the verb (for example,I stopped to rest and I stopped resting);
• you can easily cope and use the comparative degrees of adjectives without making mistakes (for example,big - bigger - the biggest);
• know about the words denoting the amount of something in English, know how to use them correctly depending on a particular case (for example,little/few and a little/a few);
• conditional sentences and their types (of which there are three) are not a problem for you, you see the difference between them and use them in your daily life;
• you can easily convert a person's direct speech into indirect (for example,She said, "I'm hungry!"- She said: "I'm hungry!"She said that he was hungry- She said she was hungry)
• you know how to ask dividing questions when you need to specify something (for example,He studies English, doesn't he? ).

Vocabulary

You must have a vocabulary of at least 2500 words and phrases. Knowledge of a small number of idioms, phrasal verbs and use of complex structures typenor, in addition to, as well as, apart from, due to, because of. you own business vocabulary, but only in its basic version. In general, you are able to carry on a conversation with business partners, but without much depth in terms.

speaking

Speaking at level B1 requires good and clear pronunciation, so that people around you can easily understand you. You know about intonations and logical pauses, about where and how to use them correctly. You speak fluently, without resorting to long pauses and reflections in the middle of a sentence. In speech, you are able to use not only simple words, but also some idioms, as well as phrasal verbs and complex grammatical constructions, including the use of passive voice, indirect speech, all English tenses, conditional sentences of all types.

The topics on which you can talk and communicate with other people can be very different. At this level, their list is extensive and includes descriptions of appearance, conversations about school and work, and much more.

Reading

You can easily cope with literature that is adapted to the B1 Intermediate level. Although sometimes you come across unfamiliar English vocabulary, you read articles on the Internet and various printed publications well and without difficulty. At this level, people manage to start reading simple English literature in its original language - although sometimes unfamiliar words and phrases are encountered, the meaning of what is written is captured quite easily.

listening

Recordings adapted to this level of language proficiency are understood by you easily and without problems. Even those audio recordings become subject to you, where the announcer has an accent, and some words remain incomprehensible - they are no longer adapted to B1, but are still amenable to your understanding. By listening to different accents, you can distinguish between native speakers and non-native speakers. You watch movies, series and other video files in English, but with subtitles. Audiobooks in a foreign language are also included in your daily life - only they are still simple and most often adapted to your level of language.

Letter

You know how smart in terms of grammar rules build proposals. With the help of your knowledge, you write small, simple letters: both formal and informal. Some simple documents that require completion in English are also given to you with ease. If you have a B1 level, you will be able to state the essence of the matter in writing, comment on or describe something.

How do English skills develop while studying on the B1 course?

One of the brightest distinguishing features this level of language proficiency is that it is on it that you begin to speak this foreign language - speaking skills are finally moving off the ground and now you are already able to maintain some, albeit the most simple, conversations. At this level, you can more attention focus on developmentSpeaking skills .

Vocabulary begins to be replenished not only with common words that everyone uses in everyday life, but also with business vocabulary, albeit the simplest one. Here you will learn many new phrases, idioms, set expressions and turns of speech. You will learn how to explain the meaning of words in English, select synonyms and antonyms for them, use suffixes and prefixes.

listening is a difficult part of learning English for most students. At this level, audio recordings and texts become longer, but are divided into parts, each of which has its own tasks. Texts on everyday topics like work and study are easily understood: factual information and general meaning are captured, it becomes possible to listen to speakers with an accent.

Reading becomes more and more difficult: now you understand quite complex texts that will not always be adapted to your level. You can not only read and retell what you read, but also give a little analysis of the texts: express your opinion, evaluate, and so on. Texts at this level serve as a kind of “fixer” for all the grammar and vocabulary that you study at B1.

When you prepare at the Intermediate level, you will pay a lot of attention to a skill calledWriting . You will learn how to write not just conversational letters to loved ones, which are not very difficult, but also official messages using business style in communication.

Having a level of English such as Intermediate or B1 will give you the opportunity to use it in a variety of situations and feel much more confident in any foreign environment. From this level, you can start preparing for serious English exams, get a job, apply to foreign universities, travel and easily communicate with native speakers.

Intermediate defines the average depth of knowledge. It includes a fairly wide list of skills.

This level is preceded by another, which is called Pre-Intermediate and assumes an average knowledge of the language. They switch to Intermediate when they want to learn how to talk not only on ordinary topics, but also be able to discuss professional situations. Intermediate level provides understanding of normal tempo oral speech native speakers. The ability to read both fiction and business literature also contributes to this. There are many other skills that characterize the English Intermediate level.

Perhaps the most an important factor is that language proficiency at the Intermediate level is mandatory for admission to language universities. Many employers indicate that they need employees who speak English at the Intermediate level. So mastering this stage is very important.

Language Proficiency Levels

Many English textbooks are signed as for intermediate students. This means that they are designed for mastering the intermediate level of English. Students graduating from non-linguistic universities have this level of language. But where did this name come from?

The Common English Proficiency Scale was created by the ALTE Association. They identified six possible levels of language acquisition:

1. Beginner - initial. This is the level of those who are just starting to learn English. A person at this level learns the alphabet, phonetics, grammar, vocabulary, starting with the most simple sentences and questions.
2. Pre-Intermediate - below average. A person with this level of knowledge already knows how to build sentences, can briefly talk about a common topic.
3. Intermediate - medium. A level that allows you to travel and learn new things. The vocabulary increases significantly, a person can already support a conversation, express own thoughts, talk to a native speaker, travel the world freely.
4. Upper-Intermediate - above average. This level is for practical use communication skills. It is most in demand in the fields of education and business. With knowledge of the language at this level, you can even enter a foreign university.
5. Advanced 1 - advanced. It is necessary for specialists. This level is also studied by people who want to speak, read and write fluently in English. With this level, you can get a prestigious job in another country.
6. Advanced 2 - super-advanced. This is the level of native speakers. It is simply impossible to learn a language better than them.

All exams in Cambridge are tied to this scale. Publishers rely on it when releasing dictionaries for learners of English. Each reference book, exercise book, book for learning a language must indicate the level, the possession of which allows you to use this publication.

Mastery of the Intermediate level allows a person to conduct conversations in everyday topics. He can read and write well in English, speaks well, knows the grammar of the language well.

Knowledge of English at the Intermediate level allows students to enter language universities and even try themselves in Western educational institutions.

Requirements for students who know the Intermediate level

What can a student with an average level of language knowledge? He can take an interest in the opinion of his interlocutor, he can clearly talk about what he feels, express his own ideas. Such students are able to show that they did not understand the interlocutor, they can ask to repeat what was said.

What does the Intermediate level mean? People around, even foreigners, can understand the pronunciation of a person who owns this level. A person is able to use the correct intonation, place stress in words. The vocabulary is quite wide.

The Intermediate level also means that the person understands the tasks of the exercises. He can distinguish by pronunciation whether English is native to his interlocutor.

The Intermediate level is the ability to write letters, both personal and official, the correct filling of questionnaires and declarations. A person who owns the Intermediate level can express his thoughts grammatically correctly.

How do you know that you have an intermediate level of language proficiency?

Many people study the language, but not everyone knows such a concept as the Intermediate level, what it means and what their own knowledge is. People can evaluate their knowledge by talking to a teacher. But there is also the possibility of self-determination of their level.

Conversational skills

How well do you know English? The Intermediate level, which means "average", makes the following requirements for speaking skills:

• The ability to correctly compose familiar words into sentences, use the right intonation, express emotions and determine the emotions of your interlocutor.
• The ability to express one's thoughts in an accessible and correct way without experiencing problems with pronunciation.
• If at some point in the conversation it turned out to be incomprehensible, a person who owns the Intermediate level can report his problem to the interlocutor and ask him to re-pronounce the last words.
• Easily and quickly select synonyms for words, understand verbal turns, determine their meaning in context.

Reading skills

The Intermediate level allows a person to understand the main essence of the text, even if individual words remain unknown. He can analyze the read text, express his own opinion about what he read. The exception is highly specialized texts, replete with terminology.

A person with an Intermediate level, after reading the text, understands the style of its writing. He can understand the meaning of popular phraseological units, as well as stable turns that are used in the text.

Writing skills

Knowledge of the language at the Intermediate level allows you to write personal and official letters, fill out business papers. A person can write and grammatically correct short stories in the style necessary for narration.

These are the basic skills of a person who has an Intermediate level. What does this mean in general? The ability to grammatically correct, using a large vocabulary, compose texts both in written and in spoken form.

Courses by Intermediate level

Many educational institutions offer to improve language skills to an intermediate level. In this case, the student will be able to:

• Freely communicate on everyday topics.
• Correctly formulate your emotions, explain your attitude to the events around.
• Conduct constructive dialogues with the interlocutor, ask for his opinion and even argue in the language.
• Competently put stress and intonation in words, be able to determine in which cases this or that intonation is used. This will allow him to emphasize his emotional state.
• Improve pronunciation.
• Learn to understand speech by ear.
• Understand the interlocutor not only by his words, but also by intonations.
• Identify native speakers and those who simply speak it well.
• Grammatically correct to provide information about yourself, in writing or orally, to maintain an informal conversation.
• The Intermediate level also allows you to invent artistic stories on your own.

Proficiency in the language at the Intermediate level will allow a person to confidently travel around developed countries without translators and without fear of getting into an awkward situation.

Conclusion

Knowledge of English at the Intermediate level allows a person to feel confident in many situations. He can read books, communicate with native speakers and even write business letters. With this knowledge, you can get a good job. Intermediate - an average level of language proficiency, which is enough to feel confident while traveling in

Often, when applying for a job, the employer is interested in the applicant's knowledge of a foreign language and requires his knowledge at the B1 level. Having an Intermediate level will make it easier to pass exams and enter a university abroad. How to speak English at the Intermediate level?

What levels of English are there?

Division into levels when teaching a language:

• makes typing easier student group whose representatives have similar competencies;
• publication of textbooks;
• development curricula and methods;
• organization of testing and entrance examinations.

Separation is required more by teachers than by students.

Allocate:

Level group	Levels
A Novice user (basic ownership)	A1	beginner	Elementary
	A2	Elementary	Elementary
B Independent user (confident possession)	IN 1	Pre Intermediate	Below the average
	IN 1	intermediate	Average
	IN 2	Upper Intermediate	Above average
C Advanced user (fluency, high level)	C1	Advanced	Professional
	C2	Proficiency	Perfectly

Intermediate - what level is it?

The main requirement of employers is English proficiency at the Intermediate level. Allows you to travel, explore the unknown, keep in touch with the indigenous people, describe the surrounding space.

Voicing one's position, discussing general everyday and industrial topics, understanding what was said by ear are essential features of the middle stage.

Pre Intermediate

Students apply grammar rules at this level with confidence, but active vocabulary is limited.

Upon completion of the level, they master the necessary communication skills and maintain a conversation on general topics.

Upper Intermediate

At this level, students communicate easily, know in-depth grammar. The vocabulary is diverse, the transition to reading books in the original is carried out.

There is an opportunity to get an education in the West or find a job: work without close contact with clients.

Material that people with knowledge of English at the Intermediate level should know

Grammar

Students understand:

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Vocabulary

Ranges from 2000 to 3000 lexical units. Along with general colloquial vocabulary, they study common words that are associated with communication in the business sphere. The Intermediate level is enriched with phraseological units.

Students operate phrases in context. The vocabulary is expanded due to word formation with the help of prefixes and suffixes, addition of stems and conversion. They show attention to the interpretation of semantics, bringing close and opposite words in meaning.

speaking

You can at the Intermediate level:

Reading

It is typical for you at the Intermediate level:

• understanding of adapted literature;
• unfamiliar vocabulary does not make it difficult to read articles from the World Wide Web and tools mass media;
• there is a transition to reading books in the original.

listening

Differs at the Intermediate level:

• relatively complete understanding with direct contact and in the sound recording of what was heard;
• instant comprehension of non-adapted audio recordings, despite the ignorance of individual words, the accent of the speaker;
• the ability to distinguish the pronunciation of a native speaker from the pronunciation of a non-native speaker;
• watching TV series and films with subtitles;
• listening adapted or not very difficult original audiobooks.

Letter

You can:

• construct a sentence grammatically correct;
• sign greeting card, invitation, letter, advertisement, request;
• fill out a questionnaire, if necessary;
• describe phenomena, people and incidents, give a comment.

How do you know that you have an intermediate level of language proficiency?

A grade check means a lot in language acquisition and mainly influences the selection of a training program at the Intermediate level.

How to correctly determine the level of training so that testing determines the true state of affairs? There are many sites on the Internet that offer online tests to check the level. However, not everyone copes with the task of determining the language level.

The standard test involves choosing one correct answer from the proposed set. Accurate answers indicate excellent theoretical knowledge of grammar, but are silent about your skills: writing and speaking, listening, reading. Many answer randomly.

There are tests that establish:

The first variation is considered as inferior, therefore, they turn to the second type of test.

Popular English proficiency tests:

1. British
2. American

The IELTS exam is suitable for:

• study in New Zealand and Great Britain, Ireland and Canada, Australia;
• move to these countries.

There are two main types of IELTS:

• It is used to control the level of Intermediate in the professional field. Looking to work or study abroad
• general training. Assesses language proficiency in everyday situations. Enough for immigration. Consists of:
  • Interviews with the examiner. When an appeal is filed, a recording is made on a dictaphone. Topics are varied. It is important for the inspector to hear your thoughts on this or that matter. It is important to sound and look natural. Express your ideas, use the accumulated experience or caused associations. When you find it difficult to say something about museums, think about which one you want to visit. Tell us about your attitude to art, even if it does not arouse interest.
  • Letters or essays. 2 tasks are given, where you need to describe the table or write a mini-essay on the specified topic. For General Training: writing (informal or formal), Academic - composition. When passing the written part, they clearly formulate thoughts, avoid repetitions and tautologies, consistently cover the topic. If you have problems with the first task, do not get hung up and move on to the next exercise. Competently completed task number 2 is rated higher: concentrate on its implementation. Keep in mind the required length of the task: #1 - 150 words, #2 - 100 words more. Achieving this mark will save the number of points.
  • Listening. Listen to 4 passages and answer questions. Entries are on general topics or are associated with studies. They are presented in the form of a monologue or dialogue and are the same for everyone. To pass successfully, a worksheet will help: there is a chance to quickly view and pay attention to necessary information. In case of poor hearing, be sure to warn the staff. The control is built in such a way that points are awarded for a correct answer, however, they are not reduced for an incorrect one.
  • Readings. Tasks are given: to answer questions, to choose an unmistakable version and title of the text, to insert the necessary word forms instead of gaps.

When performing, follow the instructions exactly. Do not disregard font changes, accents, headings - they may contain important information. Don't focus on every token - the questions are only relevant to certain factors. final grade is derived from the scores of all sections: minimum - 1, maximum - 9. Usually 6-7 points is minimum result, which is required in foreign institutions from applicants.

Courses by Intermediate level

acceptable and simple trick to increase the level of the language is online learning. Self-study language fit for those who do not have the opportunity to attend courses. The disadvantage of studying is the lack of speech practice for the Intermediate level. The way out is to improve the knowledge of the language with the help of interactive courses via Skype. The optimal solution to the problem is face-to-face courses.

English courses:

• English on Skype. EnTouch lessons are the acquisition of knowledge with comfort and passion.
  • Business English online. Entrepreneurship is growing rapidly. Hence the demand for this service.
  • Accelerated English. It is undeniable, but true: English is a means of international interaction and constructive agreements.
  • English with a certificate. Most of the functions of English clear the way for climbing the corporate ladder.
  • English for schoolchildren. Classes for students will be cognitive and interesting.
  • Spoken English. To have a sense of decisiveness in any verbal situation, it does not hurt to speak fluently in online lessons.
  • English for students. A foreign language is an obligatory component of the curriculum of many specialties. Sometimes students find the subject difficult.
  • English for adults. It doesn't matter how old you are. The price is the desire to speak English. EnTouch will help you turn your dreams into reality.
  • Corporate English. In the variety of EnTouch courses, there was a place for corporate consumers.
• School of Daria Dzyuba. Business English: Intermediate (B1).
• Online courses at "Ischool of English".
• Global Link. Courses for adults and children.

Intermediate level program

Grammar Topics

• plural nouns (special cases), agreement of subject and predicate;
• article and pronouns;
• degrees of comparison of adjectives and adverbs;
• Present Indefinite and Present Progressive;
• Present Progressive with stative verbs;
• Past Indefinite and Present Perfect;
• Present Perfect and Present Perfect Progressive;
• Past Indefinite and Used+ Infinitive;
• Ways of Referring to the Future;
• Reported Speech;
• Indirect Questions and Imperatives (Suggestions/Requests/Commands);
• passive voice and the formation of species-temporal forms;
• Modal verbs and the ir equivalents;
• prepositions;
• The Gerund and the Infinitive;
• The Complex Sentences;
• Different Types of Questions.

Conversational Topics

1. applying for a job;
2. At the cafe;
3. At the kitchen;
4. Books are our friends;
5. challenge and approving the goals;
6. family affairs;
7. Fashion and new trends;
8. holidays abroad;
9. mass media and newspaper;
10. modern society;
11. my career;
12. my personality;
13. my point of view;
14. natural d;
15. old people;
16. social problems;
17. sport and health;
18. The place where I live;
19. the world around us;
20. The way I spend my pastime/ Parties/Hobbies/Music;
21. We are interested in our past;
22. We learn to communicate.

How will your speaking skills develop in the Intermediate course?

Intermediate-level - the pivotal period when the development of the listener progresses.

Acquired skills have distinctive features:

The term of study at the Intermediate level

In practice, the duration of training depends on the student's enthusiasm and motivation, as well as the knowledge base.

Teaching takes place systematically and is based on previously acquired skills and abilities. Educational process is characterized by intensity and speed, when the student actively owns vocabulary and grammar. When you realize gaps in certain topics, you should not be upset.

It is advisable to try to master the required material in full in order to reach the required level, and then fearlessly make the transition to new level. In the second case, it will take more effort and time to study, but in the end, the student will have a full understanding of all the language components.

The next levels are deepening and widening active dictionary and concentration on linguistic micro-details and nuances.

Books to read at the Intermediate level

The best assistants and friends for learners of the language of international communication.

List of books that are used in the educational process:

1. Nevil Shute. On the Beach / On the shore. Novel. (1957);
2. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button / The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Story (1922);
3. Mark Twain. The Prince and the Pauper / The Prince and the Pauper. historical novel;
4. Live and Let Die / Live and let die. Thriller. (2010);
5. Lewis Carroll. Alice Through the Looking Glass / Alice Through the Looking Glass. Books for children. (2013);
6. Dal road. Matilda / Matilda. Books for children;
7. Mario Puzo / The Godfather / Godfather. Fiction (1999);
8. Arthur Conan Doyle. short stories / short stories (2012);
9. Alexandre Duma. The Three Musketeers / Three Musketeers. Fiction;
10. Seven-Day Magic / Seven days of magic. Books for children (2004);
11. English Fairy Tales / Fairy tales Britain (2008);
12. Henry. The Gift of the Magi / Gifts of the Magi. story;
13. Romeo and Juliet / Romeo and Juliet. Tragedy (2010);
14. Treasure Island / Treasure Island. adventure novel. (2008);
15. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White / Woman in white. Fiction.

Tutorials for the Intermediate level

1. English: service and tourism (N.E. Koroleva, E.Z. Barsetyan, A.M. Serbinovskaya);
2. A Frequency Dictionary of Russian: core vocabulary for learners. Sharoff S., Umanskaya E., Wilson J. (2013. - 400 p.). Directory;
3. Business Grammar Builder Macmillan;
4. Business Resource Book Oxford;
5. Essential English for Foreign Students (C.E. Eckersley, 2002);
6. Communicating in Business Cambridge;
7. English Result Intermediate Workbook with Key + MultiROM-E;
8. Headway Business English;
9. Language to go. Araminta Crace, Robin Wileman;
10. market leader. David Cotton, David Falvey, Simon Kent;
11. New Opportunities;
12. New Cutting Edge. Sarah Cunningham, Peter Moor;
13. Teach Business English Cambridge;
14. Tutorials " Practical course English" linguist, doctor philological sciences V. D. Arakina in 5 volumes;
15. I want and will know English. T.I. Arbekova, N.N. Vlasova, G.A. Makarova.

Movies and series for the Intermediate level

English-language films are suitable for training and practicing audiotive skills.

1. Desperate Housewives / Desperate Housewives (2006). USA. Comedy, detective, romance, drama;
2. Restless / Restless (2012). Great Britain, Germany. Romance, drama;
3. Come Sunday / Heretic (2018). USA. drama;
4. The White Princess / White Princess (2017). USA. drama;
5. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel / The Amazing Mrs Maisel (2017). USA. Drama, comedy
6. White Collar / White Collar (2009). USA. Drama, crime, comedy
7. Paterno / Paterno (2018). USA. Drama, biography;
8. War & Peace / War and Peace (2016). Great Britain. War, romance, drama;
9. The 15:17 to Paris / Train to Paris (2018). USA. historical;
10. The Kennedys After Camelot / The Kennedys: After Camelot (2017). Canada, USA. historical, drama;
11. Peter Rabbit / Rabbit Peter (2018). Australia, USA. Cartoon, family;
12. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell / Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell (2015). Great Britain. Fantasy;
13. Kickboxer: Retaliation / Kickboxer returns (2018). USA. Drama, thriller
14. The Lost Room / Lost room (2006). USA. Science fiction, fantasy, thriller;
15. Lost / Stay alive (2006). USA. science fiction, thriller, adventure;
16. American Gods / American Gods (2017). USA. Detective, fantasy;
17. Happy! / Happy (2017). USA. Fantasy, crime, thriller, comedy, detective;
18. McMafia / McMafia (2018). USA, Great Britain. Thriller, drama, crime;
19. Game Night / Night games (2018). USA. Thriller, comedy, detective, crime;
20. Bent / Addiction / (2018). USA, Spain. Thriller, crime.

Grammar Tutorials for Intermediate Level

1. Goldenkov M.A. street english. For the lazy, for the restless, for those who don't know English, for those who think they know. (2003. - 224 p.);
2. Ivantsov English Grammar Untangled. (2012. - 123 p.);
3. Litvinov P.P. 2000 English expressions. Memory technique. (2010. - 320 p.);
4. Matveev S.A. English for the intermediate level. Level B1. (2016.– 160 pp.);
5. Tretyakov Yu.P. American English. Tutorial for adults. Advanced course. (2005. - 327 p.) + mp3;
6. Khidekel S.S., Kaul M.R., Ginzburg E.L. Difficulties in English vocabulary. (2002. - 175 s);
7. Chernikhovskaya N.O. 200 dialogues in English for all occasions. (2014. - 336 p. + mp3);
8. Chernikhovskaya N.O. Modern English words and expressions + Slang. (2013. - 496 p.) + mp3;
9. Collins Cobuild Basic Grammar / Fundamentals of English Grammar (2004. - 240 p.);
10. Elaine Walker, Steve Elsworth. New edition Grammar Practice for Upper Intermediate;
11. Grammar Games Oxford;
12. Gina Caro. English Grammar from A to Z. / English for ours in 2 volumes (1998. - 265 p.);
13. Macmillan English in Context;
14. Raymond Murphy. English Grammar in Use;
15. Reward Resource Pack Macmillan.

How to level up Intermediate?

The main task when studying at the Intermediate level is to immerse yourself entirely in the English language. In addition, they pay attention to topics that are of interest and are directly related to work.

These strategies will allow you to raise the level of a foreign language in the future:

1. Apply language skills in everyday life. Change language settings in devices, gadgets, email correspondence, social media account. Make a list of cases and queries for a search engine in a foreign language, do not use translation. Sign up for conversation club.
2. Reading in English - the best teaching . It is preferable to read publications from popular magazines or newspaper news. Studying or busy in the field of international relations, entrepreneurship and commerce - it's time to switch to English-language publications: The Week, or The Washington Post - can be downloaded for free on the Internet. Remember about notes, especially try to learn idioms.
3. Regularly listen to audio podcasts and watch video files, listen to audio books. Highlight the variety of English you want: Australian, British, or American.
4. Expand your vocabulary. However, not by cramming and not in large volume. Use the context to remember, group the vocabulary by thematic principle, this will allow you to learn words. Develop your imagination by making up stories with new vocabulary.
5. Improvement of speech skills is impossible without speaking practice , which is 80%. lesson at the Intermediate level, for this you will need either an English-speaking friend or a teacher.
6. If you love pop music, there is a reason to go with a girlfriend or friend to karaoke. You can find your favorite songs online and sing at home. Don't be modest!

At what level do you need to speak English? Who needs it and why?

What does language proficiency say at one of these levels, and who even invented them? Where to go to study?

How to link language proficiency levels with the international certification system?

What are language certificates and where can I get them?

This year, my colleague decided to enter a master's program in finance. Like all perfectionists, he made life as difficult as possible for himself: a serious university and a course taught in English were chosen for admission.

The problem was that the university website clearly stated “TOEFL and professional interview”, and my colleague spoke English, according to my estimates, at the level of “Landon from the Capital City of Great Britain”.

To find out the level, a teacher from a popular language school was invited, who, after two hours of testing and interviews, pronounced the verdict "confident Intermediate". At this point, I was very surprised and once more plunged into reflections on how deeply foreign languages ​​penetrate our lives, and not only now, and not only English. And how important it is to master at least it ... At what level do you need to master it? What are these levels and what does language proficiency say at each of them? And how to link the levels of language proficiency with the international certification system?

WHAT WILL WE MEASURE?

We measure the immeasurable. How can the degree of language proficiency be assessed? By the number of words? Of course, this is an important criterion. But Lev Shcherba and his "gloky kuzdra" almost a century ago proved to the whole world that the main thing in a language is grammar. It is the backbone and the foundation of the foundations. But to have a conversation, read a book, and watch a movie, the basics are not enough. If you do not know the vocabulary, the meaning of what is happening will still elude you. That is again vocabulary?

In fact, both are important, as well as knowledge of the history, culture and modern realities of the country whose language you are studying - this is what your competencies are made up of.

Each of us has heard something about the levels of language proficiency. For example, in English one of entry level- Elementary, in Hebrew the levels of study are called by the letters of the Hebrew alphabet (alef, bet, gimel, etc.), and in Polish they correspond to the common European classification (from A0 to C2).

In addition to the system of division into levels for each individual language, there is also a common European classification. It describes not the amount of grammatical knowledge, but what knowledge and skills a person has, how well he reads, perceives speech by ear and speaks. It is impossible to formulate assessment criteria common to all languages, such as “he knows this from grammar, but knows how to handle vocabulary like this.” Although European languages ​​are close to each other, they have their own characteristics: the presence / absence of genders, cases and articles, the number of tenses, etc. On the other hand, the existing similarities are enough to create a common assessment system for the whole of Europe.

EUROPEAN LANGUAGES: STUDY AND PROFICIENCY LEVELS

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: learning, teaching, assessment(Common European Framework of Reference, CEFR) - a system of levels of foreign language proficiency used in the European Union. The corresponding directive was developed by the Council of Europe as the main part of the project "Language Learning for European Citizenship" between 1989 and 1996. the main objective CEFR systems - to provide an assessment and teaching method applicable to all European languages. In November 2001, a Council of the European Union resolution recommended that the CEFR be used to create national systems assessment of language competence.

To date, this classification offers us three levels, each of which has two sublevels:

■ Beginner (A1)

In the classroom. The student understands and uses phrases and expressions necessary to perform specific tasks. (Remember, in foreign lessons: “Sit down, open your textbooks”? This is it.) Can introduce himself and introduce another person, tell and answer simple questions about your family and home. Can maintain a simple dialogue - provided that the interlocutor speaks slowly, clearly and repeats three times.

In life. Yes, this is the level Where are you from and London is the capital city of Great Britain. If in a foreign country you can call yourself by name, tell the cafe that you want tea, poke your finger on the menu, ordering “this”, and ask a passer-by where the Tower is, this is the level of survival. “To tickets to dublin,” so to speak.

■ Below average (A2)

In the classroom. The student understands individual sentences and frequency expressions related to the main areas of life (information about himself and family members, shopping in a store, general information about work), and can also talk about it and support a conversation on everyday topics.

In life. At this level, you can already answer the standard question of the seller in the store (Do you need a package?), withdraw money from an ATM if there is no menu in your native language, clearly tell the seller in the market how many kilograms of peaches you need, instead of expressively gesturing , you can get your bearings in the city, rent a bike and much more.

A free dialogue about Nietzsche is still a long way off, but as you have noticed, keyword in determining this level - the main ones. From now on, your knowledge will be enough to survive in a strange city.

■ Medium (B1)

In the classroom. The student understands the essence of the messages clearly formulated in the literary language. Topics of messages: everything that surrounds a person during work, study, leisure, etc. Being in the country of the studied language, he is able to communicate in most standard life situations. Can compose a simple message on an unfamiliar topic, describe impressions, talk about some events and plans for the future, justify his opinion on any issue.

In life. The name of this level - self-sufficient possession - suggests that you will be able to be in a foreign country and act on your own in most situations. Here we mean not only and not so much shops (this is the previous level), but also going to the bank, to the post office, going to the hospital, communicating with colleagues at work, teachers at school, if your child is studying there. Having visited a performance in a foreign language, you are unlikely to be able to fully appreciate acting skills and the talent of the director, but you will already be able to tell your colleagues exactly where you went, what the play was about and whether you liked it.

■ Above average (B2)

In the classroom. The student understands general content complex texts on abstract and concrete topics, including highly specialized texts. He speaks quickly and spontaneously enough to communicate with native speakers effortlessly.

In life. In fact, this is already the level of language that most people use in everyday life. After all, we do not discuss string theory with colleagues at lunch or the peculiarities of the architecture of Versailles. But we often discuss new films or popular books. And the most wonderful thing is that now they will become available to you: you don’t need to look for films and publications adapted to your level - you can handle many works, and not only modern ones, yourself. But before reading special literature or a complete understanding of House M.D. terminology is, of course, still a long way off.

■ Advanced (C1)

In the classroom. The student understands voluminous complex texts on various topics, recognizes metaphors, hidden meanings. Can speak spontaneously, at a fast pace, without choosing words. Uses language effectively to communicate in professional activity. Knows all the ways to create texts on complex topics ( detailed descriptions, complex grammatical constructions, special vocabulary, etc.).

In life. At this level, you can participate in seminars, watch films and read books without restrictions, communicate with native speakers as freely as with your compatriots.

■ Professional (С2)

In the classroom. The student understands and can compose almost any written or oral communication.

In life. You can write a dissertation, give a lecture and participate, along with native speakers, in discussions on any general or professional topic.

ENGLISH: LEVELS OF LEARNING AND PROFICIENCY

The classification of English proficiency levels is somewhat different. It is not always clear what English course teachers mean when they promise you achievement advanced level from scratch in a year, and what the employer wants if he indicates the Upper-Intermediate level in the vacancy announcement. To clarify, let's compare the levels of ownership European languages and English (see table).

beginner

Yes, this level is not indicated in our table. This is the beginning of beginnings. No language proficiency this stage out of the question, but this is the foundation on which the house will be built - your command of the language. And how strong this foundation will be, depends on how beautiful, large and reliable this house will turn out to be.

■ Knowledge and skills at Beginner level. At this level, you will begin by learning the alphabet, English phonetics, numbers, and basic

grammar features: three simple tenses, direct word order in sentences, absence of cases and genders.

Pay special attention to phonetics, try to understand how intonation differs in interrogative and declarative sentences.

Practice your pronunciation. When you learn the language well, a terrible accent will not only spoil the impression, but also make it difficult to communicate. Then it will be much more difficult to fix it.

■ Training period. It usually takes about four months of group training to acquire such a wealth of knowledge. Working with a tutor, this result can be achieved much faster.

■ What is the result. If an Englishman turns to you on the street with a request to help him find an embassy, ​​you will be upset, because you will still make out the word "embassy", and he will pronounce everything else in such a way that you are unlikely to recognize him as an Englishman at all.

Elementary

This level corresponds to level A1 in the European classification and is called the level of survival. This means that if you get lost in a foreign country, you can ask and then follow the instructions to find the way (suddenly the phone with the navigator runs out of power), you will be able to check into a hotel, buy groceries not only in the supermarket, but also in the market, where you will have to deal with the seller albeit in a short, but quite lively dialogue. In general, from now on you will not be lost.

■ Knowledge and skills at the Elementary level. If you have reached this level, you already know much more.

■ Our recommendations. Do not try to jump over grammar in pursuit of vocabulary - it only seems simple at first, in fact, with an increase in the level of complexity, many nuances appear. If you do not pay attention to them, it will be difficult to eradicate errors in speech later.

Learn the numerals and how to form them to full automatism.

Write down the names of the objects that surround you in the dictionary and memorize them. So you can ask the hotel for a pen or a needle and thread, offer a guest a glass of water, buy at the market not “this is it”, but an avocado.

Training period: 6-9 months depending on the intensity of the classes and your abilities.

What is the result. Now our Englishman has real chance get to the embassy.

Pre-Intermediate

This is the "preliminary level". That is, you somehow climbed onto the porch. Now you are standing in front of the threshold, and your main task is to step over it. This is true in any language, not just English. At this level it suddenly becomes really difficult. A lot of new vocabulary appears, the amount of grammar knowledge that the teacher diligently puts into your head increases many times over. New information sweeps over you like a wave. But if you swim out now, you are almost guaranteed to learn this language.

■ Knowledge and skills for Pre-Intermediate level. At this level, the list of your knowledge and skills is significantly replenished.

In fact, we can say that language proficiency begins at this level. You will not only survive in an unfamiliar city and be able to make friends, but also begin to independently improve your level of knowledge of the language. An understanding of what vocabulary is missing in the first place will begin to come to you, you will clearly see your weak spots and you will already know what you need to do to pull them up.

In addition, here we can already talk about the use of the language in the work. A secretary who speaks English at the Pre-Intermediate level may not be able to call the hotel to clarify the details of the reservation, but he will definitely be able to write a letter there. From will also be able to compose a message about the meeting, receive guests and start with them so popular in English environment small talk.

■ Our recommendations. Never give up! You can do it. If you realize that some topic is not given to you, do not be too lazy to deal with it - by contacting a teacher, or on your own, or with the help of many Internet resources. Without any tests, you will suddenly discover how much you already know and how much you already get. At this moment, you can safely step through the threshold - go to the next level.

■ Training period: six to nine months. And here it is better not to rush.

■ What is the result. Our Englishman is guaranteed to get to the embassy thanks to your recommendations. You, too, will be extremely pleased with yourself.

intermediate

This is the first self-sufficient level. Congratulations if you speak the language at this level. This means that you have entered a new world where many amazing discoveries await you. Now the boundaries for you are a convention. You can make friends from all over the world, read the news on the Internet, understand jokes in English, comment on photos of friends from the United States on Facebook, chat with friends from China and Peru while watching the World Cup. You have found a voice.

■ Knowledge and skills at the Intermediate level. In addition to those listed at the previous levels, you know and are able to:

The Intermediate level is not in vain required by many employers. In fact, this is the level of free communication in the office (unless, of course, you are in the habit of discussing the principle of operation of the power steering over coffee). This is the level of working with documents and maintaining a free conversation on general and general professional topics.

Yes, as long as it's not freehold. You still pick up words in your mind, use a dictionary when reading books - in a word, until you can "think in a language." And no, it won't get any easier. But you will be really interested. You won't be able to stop anymore.

■ Our recommendations. At this level, you can increase the stock professional vocabulary. A solid vocabulary on the topic of discussion automatically and very noticeably increases your level of language proficiency in the eyes of the interlocutor. If you have a place to apply knowledge (work, study, hobby), do not neglect this opportunity. Remember also that language is alive, it is constantly evolving.

Read not only adapted classics, but also books contemporary authors in English, watch videos on topics that interest you, listen to songs.

■ Training period: 6-9 months.

■ What is the result. Perhaps you have half an hour - why not spend this cute English gentleman to the embassy.

Upper Intermediate

This is the first level of language proficiency, sufficient for trouble-free living in another country. You can chat with your neighbors, go to a party, and even to the theater. Not to mention work. Most professionals who receive job offers in another country speak the language at least at this level.

■ Knowledge and skills at the Upper-Intermediate level. So what do you know and can do:

In fact, B2 is already free possession. No, of course there are limits. It is unlikely that you will be able to "Doctor House" or "Theory big bang”- they have a lot of special vocabulary, and even a play on words. But after watching a classic performance, you will not only understand what it is about, but you will also be able to enjoy the performance of the actors.

You will stop listening to half of your favorite songs because you will realize what nonsense there is in the lyrics. Your world will become much bigger, not to mention the fact that with such a level there is a chance to go to work abroad and enter a foreign university.

Read as much as possible literary texts to make your speech rich and figurative. This will also help you do less mistakes in writing - constantly meeting a word in a text, we remember how it is spelled.

Spend a holiday in the country of the language you are learning and speak as much as possible there. It's best to go through some intense language course for example in Malta. But this is a very costly undertaking. On the other hand, it is in such places that you can make useful business contacts. So consider spending on such a trip as an investment in a happy future.

■ Training period depends on so many factors: your efforts and abilities, as well as how intensively you study and how good your teacher is. You can take a year.

■ What is the result. While walking with the Englishman to the embassy, ​​we chatted casually and even giggled a couple of times.

Advanced

This is the level of fluency in English. Above it is only the carrier level. That is, around you, when you master the language at this level, there will be almost no one who knows the language better. Indeed, 80% of your communication in English is not with native speakers, but with those who, like you, have learned it. As a rule, graduates of the philological faculty with a degree in English speak the language at this level. What does freehold mean? The fact that you can talk about any topic, even if you have little knowledge of the subject. Yes, like in Russian. Having reached this level, you can get one of the certificates: CAE (Certificate in Advanced English), IELTS - for 7-7.5 points, TOEFL - for 96-109 points.

■ Knowledge and skills at Advanced level

Congratulations, you have gained freedom! For everyday life and office work, this level is quite enough. You will clearly explain to your boss why you need a pay rise, and to your English husband why you think he does not love you.

■ Our recommendations. Having reached this level, you not only speak the language, you can think in it. Even if for some reason you will not use it for a long time, then for a short time completely restore all knowledge on your own.

■ What is the result. You had a pleasant time walking the Englishman to the embassy and chatting with him on the way. And they didn’t even notice that he was lisping.

Proficiency

This is the level of an educated native speaker. Educated is the key word. That is, this is a person who graduated from the university and has a bachelor's degree. The level of proficiency is close to the level of language proficiency of a native speaker. As a rule, only people who graduated from the university in the country of the language being studied know it this way (and even then not always).

■ Proficiency level knowledge and skills. If you know the language so well, it means that you can take part in scientific conferences, write scientific work, you can get a degree in the country of the language being studied.

Yes, this is exactly the level of "Doctor House" and "The Big Bang Theory". This is the level at which you will not have any difficulties in communication: you will equally well understand a grandmother from Brooklyn, and a professor from the University of Massachusetts, and an Englishman who, on the way to the embassy, ​​will tell you why he considers insolvent

big bang theory. Knowing the language at this level, you can get a certificate CPE, IELTS (8-9 points), TOEFL (110-120 points).

■ Job prospects. As you can see, if you write “fluency” on your resume, then the employer will decide that you have at least an Upper-Intermediate level. The funny thing is that your level may be lower, but he will not notice it, because most often the employer needs an employee with English at the level of “Good afternoon. Do you want tea or coffee?”, but at the same time, in the requirements for the applicant, he writes “fluency”.

Fluency in the language is required when working as an expat or in a foreign company. Or if you are entrusted with the duties of not only a personal assistant, but also an interpreter. In all other cases

for the quality performance of their duties and a comfortable stay in the office of the Intermediate level is quite enough.

It is also very important to remember that even if you know English at the Upper-Intermediate (B2) level and above, then when preparing for negotiations, speeches, and conversations on a specialized topic, you need to compile a glossary.

Maybe you've ever noticed that some interpreters don't translate some phrases during negotiations. Most often, these are irresponsible translators who were too lazy to prepare and learn new vocabulary. They just don't understand what is at stake.

But some mining engineer at the same negotiations, who is only familiar with Present Simple, can be much more useful than a professional translator. Because he works with technology, knows all the words, draws a diagram on a piece of paper with a pencil - and now everyone understands each other. And if they have AutoCAD, they don’t need a translator, or even Present Simple: they will understand each other perfectly.

LANGUAGE CERTIFICATES

What certificates are we talking about here all the time? This refers to official documents confirming your knowledge of the English language.

■ CAE(Certificate in advanced English) is an English language exam developed and administered by ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) University of Cambridge.

Developed and first introduced in 1991. The certificate corresponds to level C1 of the Common European Classification of Languages. The validity period of the certificate is not limited. Required for admission to universities training in progress in English, and devices for work.

Where to get a certificate: in Moscow, the CAE exam is taken by Education First Moscow, Language Link, BKC-IH, Center for Language Studies. Other educational organizations also accept, but they work only with their students. A complete list of centers where you can take the exam is available at: www.cambridgeenglish.org/find-a-centre/find-an-exam-centre.

■ CPE(Certificate of Proficiency in English) is an English language exam developed and administered by the ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) division of the University of Cambridge. The certificate corresponds to level C2 of the Common European Classification of Languages ​​and confirms highest level English proficiency. The validity period of the certificate is not limited.

Where to get a certificate: The Moscow Institute of Foreign Languages ​​offers to take courses and pass an exam: www.mosinyaz.com.

Testing and exam preparation centers in other cities of Russia and the world can be found at: www.cambridgeenglish.org/find-a-centre/find-an-exam-centre.

■ IELTS(International English language Testing System) is an international testing system for determining the level of knowledge in the field of English. The system is good in that it tests knowledge in four aspects: reading, writing, listening, speaking. Needed for admission to universities in the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland. And also for those who plan to leave for one of these countries for permanent residence.

See www.ielts.org/book-a-test/find-atest-location for where to get certified.

■ TOEFL(Test of English as a Foreign Language, Test for knowledge of English as a foreign language) - a standardized test for knowledge of English (in its North American version), the delivery of which is required for non-English-speaking foreigners when entering universities in the USA and Canada, as well as Europe and Asia . Test results are also accepted in a number of other English-speaking and non-English-speaking countries for admission to English-medium universities. In addition, the test results can be claimed when recruiting to foreign companies. The test results are stored in the company's database for 2 years, after which they are deleted.

The certificate also assesses language proficiency in four aspects.

Where to get a certificate: www.ets.org/bin/getprogram.cgi?test=TOEFL.

WHERE TO GO TO STUDY?

This is the most main question. Of course, if you have graduated from the English department of the philological faculty, it is not in front of you. In all other cases, you will have to make this difficult choice.

■ Tutor. Courses or tutor? I'm for the tutor. And for classes in a group of two people. Three is a lot, but one is expensive and not as effective.

Why individual training? Because in this case the teacher sees all your strengths and weak sides, he does not have the task of bringing the course to an “acceptable” level for the exam and forget about the group, he has the task of really teaching you the language, because then, thanks to word of mouth, he will have more students and, therefore, earnings.

In addition, the specifics of the profession of a tutor is that every minute of his working time is paid. And when a person works in such conditions, he cannot afford to hack.

Working in pairs is better because it disciplines. You can cancel a lesson due to bad weather or an attack of laziness - you pay the tutor where he goes. But to disrupt the lesson, which is planned for two, conscience will not allow.

Where to find and how to choose a tutor? First of all, on the recommendation of friends whose successes inspire you.

If there are no such acquaintances, you need to find courses at a reputable educational institution: university, institute, consulate. They try to take good teachers there - they keep the brand. And teachers go there because they consider such courses as a free advertising platform for recruitment. individual students. You can go there to the level you need, and there you will already agree with the teacher. By the way, now language schools often present on their websites Teaching Staff, and you can search the Internet for expert reviews.

■language schools. If you decide to take courses at a language school, choose accredited centers where you can take an exam for one of the certificates. Typically, these schools good level teaching, there are various exchange programs, study abroad, teachers in them are native speakers.

■ Skype. Another option is to learn English via Skype. Why not?

You can do this at work, if conditions allow, and at home. Of the international well-established schools, we advise you to pay attention to Glasha: www.glasha.biz.

■ Courses of study abroad.

If you have the opportunity (financial) and knowledge of the language is not lower than the Intermediate level, then you can choose language courses abroad. For example, here: www.staracademy.ru. Yes, there is training in Australia. There are also summer camps for adults. In Malta. And in Ireland. And in many other places. It's expensive, but very effective.

TIPS AND UTILITIES IN LEARNING A LANGUAGE

■ Learn grammar. Reading adapted literature is boring. Helpful but unbearable. Learning grammar is a nightmare. But grammar in language is like formulas in mathematics. Learned them - you can move on and take new heights. No - it will only get worse further, and with each step there is less and less chance of reaching the top.

■ Use all available resources. In the pursuit of knowledge, all means are good: interactive Internet resources, comics, video games, tabloid literature, beauty blogs - anything.

The more interesting the topic is for you, the easier it will be for you to learn. Also, try to find or organize a conversation club (you can even create a group in WhatsApp) and discuss topics that concern you there. No, not what books you liked from the ones you read this year, but what qualities infuriate you in your partner, for which you are still offended by your mother and when the stadium on Krestovsky Island is finally completed. When a person is interested in a subject, he will find a way to say it.

■ Read books. Starting from the Intermediate level, you can safely read:

Books by Sophie Kinsella;

Her own works under the name of Madeleine Wickham;

Series about Bridget Jones;

Jane Austen;

Somerset Maugham.

Choose books by modern authors, where there is no twisted detective story, complex allegory, excessive philosophizing, a large amount of special vocabulary. You need a simple narrative text: she wanted to marry him, and he wanted to become an astronaut. And so three hundred pages. You will get used to modern British / American / other English, willy-nilly learn new words and at the same time you will not get confused in the twists and turns of the plot and high feelings the main character.

■ Watch movies and series:

Any action movies, especially those with subtitles - there are few dialogues, the video sequence is beautiful;

Comedies in the spirit of "Home Alone", "We are the Millers", "Beethoven" - no reasoning about Nietzsche's philosophy, a simple and understandable plot, a lot of everyday vocabulary;

Melodramas of the "Eat, Pray, Love" format;

The series "Sex and the City", "Friends", "The Simpsons", etc.

Learning a language is a long and difficult journey. And he's also very interesting. In addition to knowing the language, you will get a nice bonus - you will begin to understand how native speakers think. And it will open up a different world for you. And if you lack motivation, just remember that you have no choice. A modern person must know English. And point.