Progression Pathway for Languages
To get the most out of your modern foreign language learning, you need to make sure you start off at the right level.
Our courses start at Beginners level, which is suitable for someone who has no previous experience of the language. We then have courses available at all levels through to Advanced which is the equivalent to Postgraduate level.
Don’t worry if you’re not sure at what level to start. Our tutors will assess your level at the beginning of the course to check that you are in the right group.
|
Course level |
This course is suitable for learners... |
Ability / Destination |
| Beginners | who have never studied the language. | Basic User Common European Framework for Languages (CEFR) A1 - Beginner Simple and routine tasks. Simple and direct exchange of familiar and routine matters. |
| Beginners Plus | who have previously studied the language for up to 30 hours; or for those with very basic knowledge of the language. | |
| Improvers | who have previously studied the language for up to 60 hours (pre-GCSE level). | |
| Improvers Plus | who have previously studied the language for up to 100 hours; or for those who completed GCSE some time ago or completed a CEFR A1 qualification in the language. | Basic User CEFR A2 - Elementary Dealing with practical everyday demands. Managing simple routine exchanges. |
| Lower Intermediate 1 | who previously studied the language for up to 150 hours; or for those who completed GCSE recently (grade A-C). | |
| Lower Intermediate 2 | who previously studied the language for up to 200 hours; or for those who recently achieved a GCSE (grade A*) or completed an CEFR A2 qualification in the language. | Independent User CEFR B1 Minimum level to work abroad. Deal with most situations likely to occur while travelling or at work. |
| Intermediate | who previously studied the language for up to 280 hours. | |
| Post Intermediate | who previously studied the language for up to 400 hours; or for those recently achieved AS/A2 or completed a CEFR B1 qualification in the language. |
Independent User CEFR B2 Access to Universities abroad. |
| Advanced - Conversation & Culture | who previously studied the language for up to 500 hours minimum; or for those who have completed a CEFR B2 (or C1) qualification in the language. | Proficient User CEFR C1 Access to Universities abroad. |
More information
If you would like to get an idea of the level of conversation you should be able to hold while studying at a particular level our rough guide to language levels will give you a better idea.
