How to determine your skill level?

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To quickly test and find out your language level we at Canadian Bilingual Institute-Language courses have prepared a so-called placement test, which you complete in a few minutes on www.cbi.sk. Our system evaluates your test and gives you your current skill level according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). This information can greatly help in choosing the appropriate level of language course.

Test yourself

• English language
• German language
• French language
• Slovak language
• Spanish language
• Italian speaking
• Russian language

 

What language levels do we offer at Canadian Bilingual Institute-Language courses Bratislava?

At Canadian Bilingual Institute – Language courses Bratislava you don’t have to worry that you do not have the appropriate language level. In each language course we offer many levels. The first step is filling the placement test on our website. You can then choose from the following language levels:

• Beginner
• Beginner +
• False beginner
• False beginners +
• Pre-intermediate
• Intermediate +
• Intermediate
• Intermediate +
• Advanced
• Advanced +
• Very advanced
• Very advanced +
• Proficiency

To be sure and understand in which language level knowledge you currently are we share a description of each language level.

Description language levels according to the CEFR (Common European Framework)

Common European Framework provides a common basis for developing a curriculum for teaching the language, guidelines for preparing lesson plans, tests, textbooks, etc. in all Europe.

It describes what the student must learn to use language to communicate, what knowledge and what skills need to be grown in order to act effectively. The description of cultural context of language is also included. The framework defines levels of proficiency which allows learners to measure progress at each stage of study and throughout their lives.

 

Experienced user

C2 – User can understand with ease everything that he/she hear or read.  Can summarize all information from different spoken and written sources, can result in arguments, lead and explain in a well arranged presentation. He/she can express spontaneously, fluently and precisely, and difference between nuances of meaning even in more complex situations.

C1 – Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts and also recognize their hidden meanings. He/she can express fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use a language flexibly, effectively for social, academic or professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors and tools.

 

Independent user

B2 – Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both specific and abstract topics, including discussions in specific sector specialization. Can interact fluently and spontaneously which allows him/her to lead a normal conversation with native speakers without any difficulties for either party to interact using increased efforts. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topic's issues, giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

B1 – Can understand the main points of a clear, standard, familiar matter, which he/she regularly experiences in work, school, free time, etc. He/she can deal with most situations which can appear during traveling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which he/she is familiar with, or has personal interest in. He/she can describe experiences, events, dreams, hopes and ambitions, and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

 

Basic User

A2 – Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions which are related to areas that he/she is related with (basic information about themselves, family, shopping, local geography and employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information, on familiar and routine matters. Can in simple terms describe aspects of their background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate needs.

A1 – Understand familiar everyday expressions and most basic phrases designed to meet the specific needs and these terms and phrases can be used. Can introduce themselves and others and is able to ask and answer questions about personal data: where they live, the people he/she know, the things he/she own. Can interact in a simple way with another person, who needs to talk slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

 

 Examples of short – term goals:

• I will prepare myself the best way possible to handle interviews in a foreign language.
• I will successfully pass a language test that I retain from the previous semester.
• I will not have any communication problems during my next summer holidays
• A few months from now I will stop being ashamed to talk to my lecturer and I will dare to speak the target language in public.

Short-term goals serve well, especially for you. You can feel your progress more intensively and you can make yourself sure that it has sense to continue in language course education.

As much as the short – term goals, it is very important to set out the long-term goal. It will also be useful for your lecturer. The lecturer can decide where to aim your education and what methods or materials should be used. While determining the long-term goal it's important to think about what is the purpose of your study.

 

 

Examples of long – term goals:

• I want to live in a country where the language is spoken.
• I need to communicate and use the language at my work.
• I need to get an internationally valid certificate (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.)
• I want to be able to communicate during my travels or on vacation.

 

Testing and feedback

We at Canadian Bilingual Institute – Language courses Bratislava understand that you might like to see your progress in language learning so we are ready to monitor and measure your progress. Your lecturer will check and test your knowledge once or twice a semester and will prepare a detailed report about your current course study. According to this report our methodologists will decide whether you are on the right track in your learning process or they will discuss the next steps with you.

For Canadian Bilingual Institute – Language courses Bratislava an important part of cooperation is feedback and certainty that you are satisfied with our services and that is why after a certain number of lessons we will send a questionnaire of satisfaction, in which we will ask how satisfied you are with various aspects of language learning. If in case you would like to notify us about anything you do not need to wait for the questionnaire. Feel free to contact the contact person who is responsible for your course, or eventually write to cbi@cbi.sk.