The Scale of Second Language Proficiency Levels for the College Student describes the development of second language proficiency in 10 levels. For each level, it defines what the learner is able to understand orally and in writing.
To get more information about each level, you can consult the proficiency level descriptions. In addition, your instructor can use this information to plan activities that will help you progress to a higher level.
Proficiency level descriptions
The proficiency test is made up of a number of items divided into two categories:
The items measuring oral comprehension are based on audio recordings, which vary in length and complexity depending on the target proficiency level. The audio recordings serve as the foundation for the questions appearing in one or more items.
Each item in oral comprehension includes:
Level 1
| In predictable situations, with the support of the speaker, I understand a few isolated words and expressions. I can: |
Level 2
| In predictable situations, with the support of the speaker, I understand simple sentences and short conversations. I can: |
Level 3
| In predictable situations, I understand the gist of a simple conversation or message. I can: |
Level 4
| In predictable situations, I understand the meaning of a simple conversation or message. The topic is familiar, the speech is clear, and the ideas are presented in a direct manner in everyday language. I can: |
Level 5
| In predictable situations, I understand the progression of ideas. The topic is concrete and familiar, the speech is clear, and the ideas are expressed succinctly in everyday language. I can: |
Level 6
| In predictable situations, or partially predictable situations, I understand conversations and discourse on concrete topics. I can: |
Level 7
| In predictable situations or partially predictable situations, I understand conversations or discourse on various concrete topics. The language is standard and speech is at a normal rate. I can: |
Level 8
| In predictable situations or partially predictable situations, I understand conversations and opinion discourse on various concrete topics. I can: |
Level 9
| In sometimes unpredictable situations, I understand conversations and discourse on various, sometimes abstract topics. I can: |
Level 10
| In sometimes unpredictable situations, I easily understand conversations and discourse on various sometimes abstract topics. I can: |
The items measuring written comprehension are based on written texts, which vary in length and complexity depending on the target proficiency level. The texts serve as the foundation for the questions appearing in one or more items.
Each item in written comprehension includes:
Level 1
| Documents are very simple, relate to personal identity and refer to immediate needs. I understand words, expressions or sentences. I can: |
Level 2
| Documents are very simple, relate to personal identity and refer to immediate needs. I partially understand brief, simple texts. I can: |
Level 3
| Documents are very simple or related to advertising and refer to daily life. I understand the gist of brief, simple texts. I can: |
Level 4
| Documents relate to concrete topics and refer to daily life. The language is simple and common. I understand a few paragraphs. I can: |
Level 5
| Documents relate to concrete topics and may include some complex elements, such as certain uncommon words. I partially understand a few paragraphs. I can: |
Level 6
| Documents relate to familiar topics and may include some complex elements, such as uncommon words. I understand the main information in a one-page text. I can: |
Level 7
| Documents relate to subjects of general interest and may include complex elements, such as uncommon words or certain implicit concepts. I understand the main idea in a text. I can: |
Level 8
| Documents relate to subjects of general interest and include arguments. Texts may relate to a specific field of study. They include complex elements, such as uncommon words, implicit concepts and abstract ideas. I understand the main idea in documents of several pages. I can: |
Level 9
| Documents include various complex elements, and may address unfamiliar or abstract topics. I understand the main idea in complex documents. I can: |
Level 10
| Documents include various complex elements, and address abstract topics. I understand the main idea, the tone and explanations in complex documents. I can: |