CEFR levels

The ITACE evaluates participants within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The ITACE for Lecturers only awards participants a C1-certificate. This is the level required by the Flemish government for lecturers using English as the medium of instruction.

 

 

A C1-level language user has the following skills:

General linguistic range

  • Can select an appropriate formulation from a broad range of language to express him/herself clearly, without having to restrict what he/she wants to say.

Overall listening comprehension

  • Can understand enough to follow extended speech on abstract and complex topics beyond his/her own field, though he/she may need to confirm occasional details, especially if the accent is unfamiliar.
  • Can recognise a wide range of idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms, appreciating register shifts.
  • Can follow extended speech even when it is not clearly structured and when relationships are only implied and not signalled explicitly.

Overall reading comprehension

  • Can understand in detail lengthy, complex texts, not limited to his/her own area of speciality, provided he/she can reread difficult sections.

Vocabulary control and range

  • Has a good command of a broad lexical repertoire allowing gaps to be readily overcome with circumlocutions; little obvious searching for expressions or avoidance strategies.
  • Has a good command of idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms, with only occasional minor slips, but no significant vocabulary errors.

Grammatical accuracy and range

  • Consistently maintains a high degree of grammatical accuracy. Occasional non-systematic errors and minor flaws may occur, but these are rare or the speaker may self-correct by rephrasing.
  • Shows correct use of sentences that are varied in length and structure.

Pronunciation

  • Can vary intonation and place sentence stress correctly.
  • Pronunciation may include minor lapses. L1-accent might still be perceptible, but has no effect on intelligibility.

Spoken fluency

  • Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously, almost effortlessly. Only a conceptually difficult subject can hinder a natural, smooth flow of language.

Spelling and punctuation

  • Punctuation is consistent and helpful, even in more complex sentences, although occasional slips may occur.
  • Spelling is accurate, apart from occasional errors in less frequent words.

Coherence and cohesion

  • Can communicate clearly and smoothly in a well-structured manner, showing mostly correct use of organizational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.
  • Can use a variety of linking words, although some minor flaws may occur (choice of linking words, formal or informal, correct usage).

Source: http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/linguistic/Source/Framework_EN.pdf

 

A more elaborate description of the different levels can be found on the CEFR website and in the online brochure.

Participants seeking to obtain a certificate for a CEFR-level other than C1 can take the ITACE for Students.