Guide to Foreign Language Levels

Our courses and the different course levels are designed to help you make the most of what you know now and progress in time to where you want to be with your language skills. The weekly class is one part of the total learning process which also includes work at home (for example, reading, writing, grammar exercises, watching films, singing, listening to cassettes, or experimenting on your home computer with an interactive CD-ROM program); conversation practice outside of class (at School "language lunches," for instance); and total immersion for a few hours or even a whole weekend, to quickly boost your listening comprehension, fluency, and, above all, self-confidence.

The brief descriptions below are intended to help you select the appropriate language level. The focus is on what you are able to do in the chosen language. For example, you are ready to attend an intermediate-level class if you have already mastered the majority of tasks taught at the advanced-beginner level. Tasks presented previously are constantly reviewed and re-integrated at every level. Students who wish to challenge their abilities may place themselves in higher levels, knowing they will need to do more work on their own outside of class.

In most cases, the spring semester course is a continuation of the fall course.

For more detail about language placement, please consult the Curriculum Guidelines available in the office or speak with one of our staff. For a detailed description of individual courses in different languages, please contact the office and request the Course Outline prepared by the instructor.

Descriptions of language levels

Descriptions of language levels

Beginning

For students who have never studied a foreign language or wish to refresh their skills by starting at the beginning. They become familiar with the structure of the language as they practise using phrases and vocabulary in greetings, responses to various situations, expressing likes and dislikes, and asking questions. Students can understand spoken and written samples of the language. Students and instructors will use a decreasing amount of English.

Advanced Beginning

For those who have had some experience in the chosen language through previous study or time in the country. Students speak or write, using short sentences, to describe, ask and respond to questions and to show they understand illustrated stories, oral narratives and conversation and brief written passages. Some English may be used.

Intermediate

For students who are comfortable with the basics of the language and ready for more complex tasks and language structure. They use several short sentences together to give directions and to compare and contrast people, objects, and events. They prepare oral and written stories and presentations, and they are able to identify main ideas and themes from authentic texts and various media. Instruction and activities are conducted in the chosen language, and both students and instructors avoid using English.

Advanced

For students willing to pursue their studies completely in the chosen language. They present and exchange information about current, past, and future events using multiple sentences and short paragraphs. They write letters, give explanations and reports, and summarize main ideas and supporting materials in oral and written forms.