Placement Test, Levels and Progression
- Determine your current level
- Helps to determine which is the appropriate course for you, depending on your personal goals
- Choose the intensity of your course
- Work groups at your level
- Based on the European Framework of Reference for Languages
Language Placement Test
At the beginning of your language course with Sprachcaffe you take a placement test. This test takes place at your chosen language school following your arrival, prior to the start of your language course. The course serves as a method of indicating your current language level, thus ensuring that you are placed in the most appropriate course. The test has been built around the guidelines established in the European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Our placement text is not an exam or anything resembling one. The test simply provides us with a way of judging your current language competence. Only this way are we able to find a language course which perfectly fits your prior language knowledge. You do not have to prepare for the test, and definitely don’t have to be worried that you won’t pass it!
Important: The placement test is different to our Online Proficiency Tests!
The tests can occasionally present overlaps, but the test is constructed based on the European Framework of Reference for Languages, which means that it can be used as a point of comparison. This also means that there is a European ‘yardstick’ for the learning of languages, ensuring the various European language certificates can easily be compared with one another. Every language student is able to orientate their language ability quickly and easily between the levels A1 and C2, based on the results of their placement test.
You are also more than welcome to use our Online Language Tests to give yourself an idea of your current language level.
Language Levels Overview
| Level | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | You have no previous knowledge of the language, but you’ll soon be able to make your first steps towards making progress | |
| A1 | Breakthrough | You can already form and understand simple sentences |
| A2 | Elementary | You can understand simple newspaper articles. Writing letters and making spontaneous statements are no problem |
| B1 | Intermediate | You already have comprehensive prior knowledge of grammar and vocabulary |
| B2 | Upper Intermediate | You have a solid knowledge of the language. You are able to present specialist topics and able to have conversations on almost any subject |
| C1 | Proficiency | Alongside specialist technical vocabulary you can also communicate at the highest level |
| C2 | Mastery | You have perfect knowledge of vocabulary and grammar. You can communicate almost like a native speaker |
Recommended Course Duration Based on Your Language Objective
The Council of Europe has established a level scale to assess language proficiency in an objective and common manner for all European countries. For each level you can choose to prepare and study with Sprachcaffe.
For a detailed description of European language levels, visit www.coe.int/t/dg4/linguistic/source/framework_en.pdf (from page 24).
| Current Level | A0 | A1 | A2 | B1 | B2 | C1 | C2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimise conversational ability: Ideal if you would like to learn to speak clearly and answer simple questions in an accurate way | 4 | 2 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Enhance fundamental knowledge: The skills to better understand context and form accurate statements | 6 | 4 | 2 | - | - | - | - |
| Make progress: You will learn to present and differentiate specific vocabulary, to work with native speakers and understand newspaper articles | 12 | 6 | 4 | 2- | - | - | |
| Develop fluency: You start to be able to lead complicated negotiations and you build your linguistic competences in reporting and making presentations | 24 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 2 | - | - |
| Reach mastery: This course makes you even more self-confident. You will be able to follow every conversation and write reports effortlessly | 48 | 24 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 2 | - |
| Achieve perfection: You refine your style, learn to debate effectively and to negotiate, and bring your thoughts directly to the point | ∞ | 48 | 24 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
Notice: beginner level is indicated here as A0.