A rough guide to our language levels
Which level is right for you?
If you are a new learner to Brasshouse Languages and not sure which course you are likely to join, the table below illustrates the level of language that we would expect some-one to have on a particular level.
It is not possible to join a Brasshouse Languages course (except for Beginners) without having attended an initial assessment with a specialist language tutor. Please call the centre or our information line on 0121 303 4318 to make an appointment. Enrolment for each term closes on specific dates and no enrolment can be accepted after this date.
If you need any further information please call our information line on 0121 303 4318 or Brasshouse Languages on 0121 303 0114.
|
Course Title |
Can you answer these questions in your chosen language? |
Your possible course level. |
| Beginners | No knowledge of the language | You should join the Beginners course |
| Beginners Plus | What is your name? Where do you live? Where do you come from? What is your job? Where do you work? What is your telephone number? What do you like to drink? What do you like to eat? Are you married or single? Do you have children? Do you have any pets? |
If you cannot answer any of these questions you should join a Beginners course. If you can answer some questions but struggle to answer others Beginners Plus is probably the right level. If you answer most things correctly try the questions on Improvers level |
| Improvers | What do you do in your free time? What are your hobbies? What do you do at the weekends? Do you work? Where do you work? Describe your family Do you have siblings/children/parents? What are their names? How old are they? What do they do for living? Date and time What time is it now? What day is it today? Can you book a single/double room for 2 nights/weeks? |
If you cannot answer any of these questions you should join a Beginners Plus course. If you can answer some questions but struggle to answer others Improvers level is probably the right level. If you answer most things correctly try the questions on Improvers Plus |
| Improvers Plus | Give directions How do I get from Brasshouse Languages to the Symphony Hall? Describe your house: house type, number of bedrooms, garden, garage, etc. What did you do last weekend? What piece of clothing did you buy recently? |
If you cannot answer any of these questions you should join an Improvers course. If you can answer some questions but struggle to answer others Improvers Plus level is probably the right level. If you answer most things correctly try the questions on Lower Intermediate 1 level. |
| Lower Intermediate 1 | Where do you like to travel to and why? Where did you go on holiday last summer? What did you do there? What was the weather like? What did you eat? Did you buy any souvenirs? What are your plans for next weekend? |
If have some knowledge but are struggling to answer these questions fully you should join a Lower Intermediate 1 course. If you answer these questions with ease try the questions on Lower Intermediate 2 level. |
| Lower Intermediate 2 | Why do you want to learn this language? For how long have you been studying this language? Have you ever been to country? What was it like? What would you like to learn in this course? |
If have some knowledge but are struggling to answer these questions fully you should join a Lower Intermediate 2 course. If you answer these questions with ease try the questions on Intermediate level. |
| Intermediate | Holidays What did you do this/last summer? What did you enjoy most and least? Did you speak to local people? Did you make any new friends? What was the weather like? Work What is your profession? What do you like/don’t like about your job and why? What was your first job? Name three occupations that you could / couldn’t do and why? Mixed opinions Would you prefer to live in the city or the countryside and why? Why is it important to keep healthy and fit? Do you think you have a healthy life style and why? What's your favourite city? Why? |
If have some knowledge but are struggling to answer these questions fully you should join an Intermediate course. If you answer these questions with ease try the questions on Post Intermediate level. |
| Post Intermediate | Goals What is your biggest goal in life? Why are goals important? Tell me about a goal that you achieved for yourself. Graffiti What is graffiti? Where do you see it? i.e. walls, trains Should the government reserve places for those who want to write graffiti? Is graffiti a type of "art"? If you were allowed to write something, what would you say? Languages Do you think that a language other than English should be used as an "international language"? Do you think language affects thought? Do you think foreign language study should start as early as possible, or is it okay to start later? |
If have some knowledge but are struggling to answer these questions fully you should join a Post Intermediate course. If you answer these questions with ease try the questions on Advanced level. |
| Advanced | What would you do if you won the lottery? If you had one wish, what would it be? Do you think that there is truth behind superstitions? Do you believe that UFOs exist? / Do you believe in UFOs? What is the role of newspapers in society? Are you against or in favour of cloning? Why? |
If you are able to answer these questions with no major difficulties Advanced level is probably the right level for you. |
