English proficiency levels for resume. Universities in Germany: requirements for enrollment
Additional programs:
1-2 years of full-time study at a state university in your home country
1 year of preparation in Germany (Studienkolleg, similar to Foundation) and passing exams
Average score of the certificate
The selection of candidates for enrollment in German universities is based on the average score of matriculation certificates. There are two types of specialties in German universities:
It is easy to get into training in specialties that do not have restrictions: it is enough to fulfill the general requirements - the Abitur certificate or its equivalent, or pass the FSP exams.
It is more difficult to get into specialties that have restrictions in admission: it is necessary that the average mark of the matriculation certificate corresponds to the passing mark (the minimum possible average mark of the certificate for enrolling in a university). The value of the passing score is set either by the university itself for this specialty, or it is a single passing score throughout the country for all universities offering certain specialties: for example, medicine, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, dentistry, etc. When entering one of the specialties that has admission restrictions , after the completion of the preparatory course Studienkolleg exactly the same rules apply: the average score is calculated.
The average score of the certificate of 1.5 points opens the doors of almost all universities in Germany (except for some especially popular specialties). For admission to most programs, it is sufficient to have an average score of 3.0 to 1.5. However, there are specialties that are possible for matriculation holders with a very high average score, and there are those that can be entered with a rather low passing score.
Attention! in Germany, the grading system is 6 points, where 6 is the lowest (poor) of all possible ratings, and 1 is the best possible.
List of specialties with the lowest and highest requirements for admission
|
Passing score over 3.0 points |
Passing score 1.4 or less |
|
Production and logistics 3.2 |
Biomedizin 1.0 |
DIRECT DEPOSIT
Holders of the German Abitur and equivalent certificates can be enrolled in the first year of undergraduate programs at universities in Germany immediately after school. The selection of candidates is based on the average score of the certificate and no entrance or qualifying exams are required.
Countries with Abitur-equivalent Abiturs: Australia, Austria, Belgium, UK, Holland, Greece, Denmark, Israel, Ireland, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, USA, Finland, France, Switzerland, Sweden, South Africa , Japan
ENROLLMENT AFTER PASSING ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS
Holders of matriculation certificates that are not considered equivalent to Abitur, in order to enroll in the first year of undergraduate programs at universities in Germany, must either study for 1 or 2 years at a state university in their homeland, or pass exams in Germany. These exams are similar to those taken by German students for the Abitur Abitur. The only difference is that German schoolchildren take exams in a larger number of disciplines, and foreign applicants for admission to study at German universities must demonstrate knowledge of disciplines relevant for future education. Foreign applicants who do not have Abitur-equivalent matriculation certificates must prove that they have the necessary knowledge to study at a university in their chosen specialty.
Passing entrance exams can be replaced by studying at a university in your home country for 1 or 2 years. Attention! you can study only full-time, the university must be state-owned and recognized in Germany, the direction of study must coincide with the direction of study in Germany.
Countries with non-equivalent Abitur matura: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Hungary, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Moldova, Russia, Romania, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine and others.
There are different requirements for applicants from these countries. So, for applicants from Ukraine who received a matriculation certificate before 2011 inclusive - 2 years of full-time study at a state university of Ukraine, after 2011 - 1 year. For applicants from Russia - upon receipt of a certificate in 2014 and before 2 years of full-time study at a state university in Russia, after 2015 - 1 year.
Feststellungsprufung
The Feststellungsprüfung entrance exams can be taken externally, without any preparation course. However, the difference in high school programs in different countries is enormous, we strongly recommend that you take a special preparation course for the Feststellungsprüfung exams - Studienkolleg. Such a course is designed for 1 year of study and is organized either by the universities themselves or by educational institutions of secondary education. Passing such a course will not only significantly increase the chances of successfully passing the exams, but also facilitate the educational process at the university.
If you passed the FSP, then you can enroll in any specialty that does not have restrictions on admission. If you passed the exams with 1.5 points, then you can study even in those programs that have restrictions on admission. However, there are some specialties that require a GPA of 1.0 for study (medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine).
Of course, which way to enter German universities to choose - through passing exams or through studying at a Russian university for 1 or 2 years - is the decision of the applicant himself. However, the annual preparation for the Feststellungsprüfung exam and the successful passing of the exam itself is a 100% guarantee of your opportunities and readiness to study at a German university. Studying in Russia, even at the best university, does not give such a guarantee.
Requirements for admission to the master's program
Master (Master) - the second stage of higher education. The master's degree is issued after 1-2 years of study. The beginning of studies either immediately after the bachelor's degree, or after several years of professional activity. In the master's program, emphasis is placed on deeper specialization and on scientific work. Master's degree is a prerequisite for admission to postgraduate studies.
The general requirement for all candidates is to have a bachelor's degree from a state or state-accredited university. Education in the bachelor's program must be full-time. The university must be recognized in Germany, and the study program must correspond to the chosen study program in Germany.
More: check if your university is consideredequivalent to the German in which you intend to enterAttention! Even when studying in English, we recommend that you have at least a minimum level of German: most of the proposed training programs are still in German, studying only in English, you significantly reduce the choice of specialties and disciplines. Many programs are bilingual.
Postgraduate Admission Requirements
Postgraduate (Promotion)- is considered in Germany as the third stage of the Bologna process. Writing a dissertation is possible only at universities. Preparation of a dissertation (Promotion), associated with an independent scientific research, continues for 2-4 years after receiving a master's or equivalent degree (Diplom/ Erstes Staatsexamen/ Magister Artium). The degree of Candidate of Sciences (Doktor) is awarded after writing a dissertation and successfully passing an oral exam or dissertation defense.
The selection procedure for those wishing to study in Germany in graduate school is not as formal as in the case of a bachelor's or master's degree. The choice of a specific candidate to a large extent depends on the willingness of a particular professor to act as your supervisor. Applicants should contact directly the professors they would like to work with.
To comply with the formal requirements, the candidate is required to:
- a master's degree or its equivalent issued by a state-accredited university
- graduate studies must be full-time
- the university must be recognized in Germany
- Master's specialization should coincide with the direction of work in graduate school. The disciplines studied at the Russian University are compared with the program of the same disciplines at the German University and the correspondence in terms of the number of hours (Diploma Supplement). Dentists, lawyers from the diploma are credited with a maximum of 1-2 semesters (difference in technology, legislation).
- proof of language proficiency (German or English, often both)
- Language: official certificate - German C1+/C2 and/or English C1+. Even when studying in graduate school in English, we recommend that you have at least a basic level of German.
Requirements for admission to MBA programs
Program Aufbaustudium is another type of postgraduate study. The duration of the program is 2 years. At the end, a work of 50-100 pages is written. A certificate of completion of the Aufbaustudium is issued. This is also a Postgraduate program, like Promotion, but shorter by 1 year. Aufbaustudium programs for international students are MBA programs.
Requirements for admission to the program:
- Diploma of Complete Higher Education from a state-accredited university
- training should have been face-to-face
- The university must be recognized in Germany
- the curriculum must comply with the required plan for each specific MBA program
- practical work experience (at least 2 years in the specialty).
- English: official certificate at level C1 (TOEFL 570-630 points or IELTS from 6.5 and above, CAE is accepted on a par with them in private Universities).
- German: official certificate or certificate of German language learning for at least 250-400 hours.
Documents are accepted once a year, for the winter semester.
Language Requirements
You can only study in Germany if you prove the required level of proficiency in the language of instruction. Attention! Only official certificates are taken into account, which are issued after passing internationally accepted examinations.
Most of the programs in German universities are in German. However, there are quite a few programs offered in English as well. If you have chosen a program offered in German, then you need to prove knowledge of German. If you are interested in an English-language training program - then English.
GERMAN
All applicants to German universities must pass an official German language proficiency exam. The required level is C1 on the European scale, although some programs require a lower level. So, for example, for admission to Bachelor's programs in creative specialties, level B1 is enough. All universities in Germany accept TestDaF and DSH certificates for any training programs as confirmation of knowledge of the German language, other certificates are accepted by some universities. To enroll in the preparatory program Studienkolleg, any certificate in German at level B2 or even a simple confirmation of the completion of a German course (for example, a certificate from the courses) is enough.
RESTRICTIONS IN RECEPTION (Numerus Clausus)
Programs in medicine, pharmacy and veterinary medicine are so in demand that admission to them is limited at the national level in all higher education institutions. These are the so-called Numerus Claus restrictions. The selection of candidates and the distribution of places for these programs is carried out centrally through the Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung. The reason for this limitation is that professors and other researchers can only fully work with a limited number of students, thus guaranteeing the quality of training. In practice, this means that the university, in agreement with the professors, announces admission to a certain number of places for a certain specialty.
However, this restriction should not be understood as a ban or reduction in the chances of enrollment for foreigners. Everyone is accepted - both Germans and foreigners, only the requirements for both are equally stricter in relation to the average score of the certificate. Even if the average score of your certificate turned out to be below the passing one, this does not mean a refusal to enter: you are simply put on the waiting list. The fact is that applicants send their documents to several universities at once, sometimes to 20 at once. If out of 30 possible places in general for a specialty with limited admission, 10 remained free (those who pass by the average score chose another university), then the remaining 10 places are given to those applicants whose average score is as close as possible to the passing one (the second round of the admission procedure for training - zweites Nachrückverfahren).
Do not despair if the average score of your certificate is lower than the passing score established by the university: the passing score is indicated by the university based on the results of the last year.
Attention! If you want to study in one of these programs, then pay attention to the application deadlines: no later than July 15 when submitting documents for the winter semester and no later than January 15 when submitting documents for the summer semester.
Test structure:
- Identification of the interests of the applicant (15 minutes)
- Aptitude test:
- Conversational Thinking Test (20 - 30 minutes)
- Math test (30 minutes)
- Test to identify the possibilities of figurative and spatial thinking (30 - 35 minutes)
No more than 90 minutes are allocated to complete the entire test. Participation in the test is completely free.
TestAS
TestAS - Test für ausländische Studierende - test for foreign university students. TestAS is the central, standardized test for international applicants. The test was created on the initiative of the German Academic Exchange Service DAAD in cooperation with the Institute for German as a Foreign Language TestDaF-Institut. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Science. The results of this test show what position, in relation to other applicants, the applicant who passed it is. Good results on this test significantly increase the chances of getting a place of study at a university.
- TestAS has the right to conduct only specialized language centers that cooperate with educational institutions in Germany and have a license
- Persons over the age of 16 are allowed to take the exam
- It is necessary to know a foreign language at a minimum level of B1 according to the 6-level scale of the Council of Europe
- The number of submission attempts is unlimited. Repeatedly retaking an exam on one topic (for example, only economics), as a rule, does not improve the results significantly.
- The test reveals the candidate's inclinations and abilities in a particular scientific field, therefore, in order to identify those, it makes sense to pass an exam on various topics.
It is forbidden to use dictionaries, translators and any other electronic devices during testing.
TestAS can be taken in German or English. It consists of the following components:
onScreen(30 minutes): language part of the test, assessment of general language competence in English or German. 6 texts are offered in which it will be necessary to supplement the missing words and phrases. This part of the test is conducted online orally.
Kerntest(110 minutes): the main part of the test, assessment of cognitive abilities in all academic areas of study. It is done in writing. 4 task groups:
- Solving numerical tasks - tasks in the form of texts, the solution of which is based on the availability of the ability of elementary mathematical calculations.
- Finding matches - two pairs of words or phrases are offered in which two words are missing. It is necessary to add the missing words so that the meaning of the left pair matches the meaning of the right pair. The task is based on understanding the language and vocabulary.
- Adding shapes - offers a range of shapes such as lines, circles, squares and other geometric shapes, placed according to certain rules and according to a certain pattern. The task is to identify these rules and patterns and add the desired figure to the end of the row. In this part of the test, logical thinking on a figurative basis plays an important role. Knowledge of the language in this part of the test does not play any role.
- Adding numbers is a task similar to the previous one, with the difference that instead of figures, rows of numbers are offered, which will need to be supplemented based on the recognized rules and patterns.
Studienfeldspezifische Testmodule(145-150 minutes): specialized test modules, assessment of cognitive abilities necessary for training in a particular direction. It is done in writing. There are 4 modules to choose from:
Humanities, cultural and social sciences
- Understanding and interpreting texts: short texts and questions about them.
- Ability to use representational systems: texts are offered, the meaning of the content of which should be conveyed using graphic diagrams.
- Recognition of language structures: it is proposed to familiarize yourself with texts in a "fictional" language, with a translation into German as close as possible to their meaning. Based on this, it is necessary to recognize the meaning of some, individual words and concepts, as well as to identify some grammatical rules for writing.
Engineering Sciences
- Drawing up formulas of technical phenomena: form various technical phenomena into formulas, described in the form of text.
- Discovery of new types: based on one type of body, it is necessary to discover its new perspectives of application.
- Analysis of technical relationships: analysis and interpretation of various diagrams, tables and formulas.
Mathematics, computer science and natural sciences
- Analysis of phenomena in the field of natural sciences: descriptions in the form of texts and graphs of various phenomena in the field of natural sciences and questions to them.
- Understanding Formal Representation: Converting the Information Content of Text into a Graphical Diagram.
Economic Sciences
- Analysis of economic relationships: analysis of various charts and tables from the field of economic sciences.
- Process analysis: formalization of various processes and analysis of process diagrams.
The results of passing the exam are considered as a percentage, the concept of assessment or "pass-fail" does not apply.
Depending on which test module was passed, TestAS test participants after passing it receive the appropriate certificates, which are attached to the package of documents for admission to the university. In most cases, the results of the onScreen language test are not displayed in certificates. This is due to the technical capabilities of the test centers.
The TestAS test can only be performed at designated, licensed test centers. A significant part of the TestDaF Centers also conducts the TestAS test.
Exam fee: 80 EUR
At what level do you need to speak English? Who needs it and why?
What does language proficiency say at one of these levels, and who even invented them? Where to go to study?
How to link language proficiency levels with the international certification system?
What are language certificates and where can I get them?
This year, my colleague decided to enter a master's program in finance. Like all perfectionists, he made life as difficult as possible for himself: a serious university and a course taught in English were chosen for admission.
The problem was that the university website clearly stated “TOEFL and professional interview”, and my colleague spoke English, according to my estimates, at the level of “Landon from the Capital City of Great Britain”.
To find out the level, a teacher from a popular language school was invited, who, after two hours of testing and interviews, pronounced the verdict "confident Intermediate". At this point, I was very surprised and once again plunged into reflections on how deeply foreign languages penetrate our lives, and not only now, and not only English. And how important it is to master at least it ... At what level do you need to master it? What are these levels and what does language proficiency say at each of them? And how to link the levels of language proficiency with the international certification system?
WHAT WILL WE MEASURE?
We measure the immeasurable. How can the degree of language proficiency be assessed? By the number of words? Of course, this is an important criterion. But Lev Shcherba and his "gloky kuzdra" almost a century ago proved to the whole world that the main thing in a language is grammar. It is the backbone and the foundation of the foundations. But to have a conversation, read a book, and watch a movie, the basics are not enough. If you do not know the vocabulary, the meaning of what is happening will still elude you. That is again vocabulary?
In fact, both are important, as well as knowledge of the history, culture and modern realities of the country whose language you are studying - this is what your competencies are made up of.
Each of us has heard something about the levels of language proficiency. For example, in English one of the initial levels is Elementary, in Hebrew the levels of study are called by the letters of the Hebrew alphabet (alef, bet, gimel, etc.), and in Polish they correspond to the common European classification (from A0 to C2).
In addition to the system of division into levels for each individual language, there is also a common European classification. It does not describe the amount of grammatical knowledge, but what knowledge and skills a person has, how well he reads, perceives speech by ear and speaks. It is impossible to formulate assessment criteria common to all languages, such as “he knows this from grammar, but knows how to handle vocabulary like this.” Although European languages are close to each other, they have their own characteristics: the presence / absence of genders, cases and articles, the number of tenses, etc. On the other hand, the existing similarities are enough to create a common assessment system for the whole of Europe.
EUROPEAN LANGUAGES: STUDY AND PROFICIENCY LEVELS
Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: learning, teaching, assessment(Common European Framework of Reference, CEFR) - a system of levels of foreign language proficiency used in the European Union. The relevant directive was developed by the Council of Europe as the main part of the Language Learning for European Citizenship project between 1989 and 1996. The main goal of the CEFR system is to provide an assessment and teaching method applicable to all European languages. In November 2001, a resolution of the Council of the European Union recommended that the CEFR be used to establish national language proficiency assessment systems.
To date, this classification offers us three levels, each of which has two sublevels:
■ Beginner (A1)
In the classroom. The student understands and uses phrases and expressions necessary to perform specific tasks. (Remember, in foreign lessons: "Sit down, open your textbooks"? That's it.) He can introduce himself and introduce another person, tell and answer simple questions about his family, home. Can maintain a simple dialogue - provided that the interlocutor speaks slowly, clearly and repeats three times.
In life. Yes, this is the level Where are you from and London is the capital city of Great Britain. If in a foreign country you can call yourself by name, tell the cafe that you want tea, poke your finger on the menu, ordering “this”, and ask a passerby where the Tower is, this is the level of survival. “To tickets to dublin,” so to speak.
■ Below average (A2)
In the classroom. The student understands individual sentences and frequency expressions related to the main areas of life (information about himself and family members, shopping in a store, general information about work), and can also talk about it and support a conversation on everyday topics.
In life. At this level, you can already answer the standard question of the seller in the store (Do you need a package?), withdraw money from an ATM if there is no menu in your native language, clearly tell the seller in the market how many kilograms of peaches you need, instead of expressively gesturing , you can get your bearings in the city, rent a bike and much more.
Free dialogue about Nietzsche is still very far away, but, as you have noticed, the key word in defining this level is the main ones. From now on, your knowledge will be enough to survive in a strange city.
■ Medium (B1)
In the classroom. The student understands the essence of the messages clearly formulated in the literary language. Topics of messages: everything that surrounds a person during work, study, leisure, etc. Being in the country of the studied language, he is able to communicate in most standard life situations. Can compose a simple message on an unfamiliar topic, describe impressions, talk about some events and plans for the future, justify his opinion on any issue.
In life. The name of this level - self-sufficient possession - suggests that you will be able to be in a foreign country and act on your own in most situations. Here we mean not only and not so much shops (this is the previous level), but also going to the bank, to the post office, going to the hospital, communicating with colleagues at work, teachers at school, if your child is studying there. Having visited a performance in a foreign language, you are unlikely to be able to fully appreciate the acting skills and talent of the director, but you will already be able to tell your colleagues exactly where you went, what the play was about and whether you liked it.
■ Above average (B2)
In the classroom. The student understands the general content of complex texts on abstract and concrete topics, including highly specialized texts. He speaks quickly and spontaneously enough to communicate with native speakers effortlessly.
In life. In fact, this is already the level of language that most people use in everyday life. After all, we do not discuss string theory with colleagues at lunch or the peculiarities of the architecture of Versailles. But we often discuss new films or popular books. And the most wonderful thing is that now they will become available to you: you don’t need to look for films and publications adapted to your level - you can handle many works, and not only modern ones, yourself. But before reading special literature or fully understanding the terminology of the series "Doctor House", of course, is still far away.
■ Advanced (С1)
In the classroom. The student understands voluminous complex texts on various topics, recognizes metaphors, hidden meanings. Can speak spontaneously, at a fast pace, without choosing words. Effectively uses language to communicate in professional activities. He knows all the ways of creating texts on complex topics (detailed descriptions, complex grammatical constructions, special vocabulary, etc.).
In life. At this level, you can participate in seminars, watch films and read books without restrictions, communicate with native speakers as freely as with your compatriots.
■ Professional (С2)
In the classroom. The student understands and can compose almost any written or oral communication.
In life. You can write a dissertation, give a lecture and participate, along with native speakers, in discussions on any general or professional topic.
ENGLISH: LEVELS OF LEARNING AND PROFICIENCY
The classification of English proficiency levels is somewhat different. It is not always clear what English course teachers mean when they promise you to achieve the Advanced level from scratch in a year, and what the employer wants if they indicate the Upper-Intermediate level in the vacancy announcement. To clarify, let's compare the levels of proficiency in European languages and English (see table).
beginner
Yes, this level is not indicated in our table. This is the beginning of beginnings. There is no question of any language proficiency at this stage, but this is the foundation on which the house will be built - your proficiency in the language. And how strong this foundation will be, depends on how beautiful, large and reliable this house will turn out to be.
■ Knowledge and skills at Beginner level. At this level, you will begin by learning the alphabet, English phonetics, numbers, and basic
grammar features: three simple tenses, direct word order in sentences, absence of cases and genders.
Pay special attention to phonetics, try to understand the difference between intonation in interrogative and declarative sentences.
Practice your pronunciation. When you learn the language well, a terrible accent will not only spoil the impression, but also make it difficult to communicate. Then it will be much more difficult to fix it.
■ Training period. It usually takes about four months of group training to acquire such a wealth of knowledge. Working with a tutor, this result can be achieved much faster.
■ What is the result. If an Englishman turns to you on the street with a request to help him find an embassy, you will be upset, because you will still make out the word "embassy", and he will pronounce everything else in such a way that you are unlikely to recognize him as an Englishman at all.
Elementary
This level corresponds to level A1 in the European classification and is called the level of survival. This means that if you get lost in a foreign country, you can ask and then follow the instructions to find the way (suddenly the phone with the navigator runs out of power), you will be able to check into a hotel, buy groceries not only in the supermarket, but also in the market, where you will have to deal with the seller albeit in a short, but quite lively dialogue. In general, from now on you will not be lost.
■ Knowledge and skills at the Elementary level. If you have reached this level, you already know much more.
■ Our recommendations. Do not try to jump over grammar in pursuit of vocabulary - it only seems simple at first, in fact, with an increase in the level of complexity, many nuances appear. If you do not pay attention to them, it will be difficult to eradicate errors in speech later.
Learn the numerals and how to form them to full automatism.
Write down the names of the objects that surround you in the dictionary and memorize them. So you can ask the hotel for a pen or a needle and thread, offer a guest a glass of water, buy an avocado at the market not “this is it”.
Training period: 6-9 months depending on the intensity of the classes and your abilities.
What is the result. Now our Englishman has a real chance to get to the embassy.
Pre-Intermediate
This is the "preliminary level". That is, you somehow climbed onto the porch. Now you are standing in front of the threshold, and your main task is to step over it. This is true in any language, not just English. At this level it suddenly becomes really difficult. A lot of new vocabulary appears, the amount of grammar knowledge that the teacher diligently puts into your head increases many times over. New information sweeps over you like a wave. But if you swim out now, you are almost guaranteed to learn this language.
■ Knowledge and skills at the Pre-Intermediate level. At this level, the list of your knowledge and skills is significantly replenished.
In fact, we can say that language proficiency begins at this level. You will not only survive in an unfamiliar city and be able to make friends, but also begin to independently improve your level of knowledge of the language. An understanding of what vocabulary is missing in the first place will begin to come to you, you will clearly see your weaknesses and will already know what needs to be done to tighten them.
In addition, here we can already talk about the use of the language in the work. A secretary who speaks English at the Pre-Intermediate level may not be able to call the hotel to clarify the details of the reservation, but he will definitely be able to write a letter there. He will also be able to write a message about the meeting, receive guests and start small talk with them, which is so popular in the English environment.
■ Our recommendations. Never give up! You can do it. If you realize that some topic is not given to you, do not be too lazy to deal with it - by contacting a teacher, or on your own, or with the help of many Internet resources. Without any tests, you will suddenly discover how much you already know and how much you already get. At this moment, you can safely step through the threshold - go to the next level.
■ Training period: six to nine months. And here it is better not to rush.
■ What is the result. Our Englishman is guaranteed to get to the embassy thanks to your recommendations. You, too, will be extremely pleased with yourself.
intermediate
This is the first self-sufficient level. Congratulations if you speak the language at this level. This means that you have entered a new world where many amazing discoveries await you. Now the boundaries for you are a convention. You can make friends from all over the world, read the news on the Internet, understand jokes in English, comment on photos of friends from the United States on Facebook, chat with friends from China and Peru while watching the World Cup. You have found a voice.
■ Knowledge and skills at the Intermediate level. In addition to those listed at the previous levels, you know and are able to:
The Intermediate level is not in vain required by many employers. In fact, this is the level of free communication in the office (unless, of course, you are in the habit of discussing the principle of operation of the power steering over coffee). This is the level of working with documents and maintaining a free conversation on general and general professional topics.
Yes, as long as it's not freehold. You still pick up words in your mind, use a dictionary when reading books - in a word, until you can "think in a language." And no, it won't get any easier. But you will be really interested. You won't be able to stop anymore.
■ Our recommendations. At this level, you can increase the stock of professional vocabulary. A solid vocabulary on the topic of discussion automatically and very noticeably increases your level of language proficiency in the eyes of the interlocutor. If you have a place to apply knowledge (work, study, hobby), do not neglect this opportunity. Remember also that language is alive, it is constantly evolving.
Read not only adapted classics, but also books by modern authors in English, watch videos on topics that interest you, listen to songs.
■ Training period: 6-9 months.
■ What is the result. Perhaps you have half an hour - why not see this nice English gentleman to the embassy.
Upper Intermediate
This is the first level of language proficiency, sufficient for trouble-free living in another country. You can chat with your neighbors, go to a party, and even to the theater. Not to mention work. Most professionals who receive job offers in another country speak the language at least at this level.
■ Knowledge and skills at the Upper-Intermediate level. So what do you know and can do:
In fact, B2 is already free possession. No, of course there are limits. It is unlikely that you can do House Doctor or The Big Bang Theory - they have a lot of special vocabulary, and even puns. But after watching a classic performance, you will not only understand what it is about, but you will also be able to enjoy the performance of the actors.
You will stop listening to half of your favorite songs because you will realize what nonsense there is in the lyrics. Your world will become much larger, not to mention the fact that with such a level there is a chance to go to work abroad and enter a foreign university.
Read as many literary texts as possible to make your speech rich and imaginative. This will also help you make fewer mistakes in writing - constantly meeting a word in a text, we remember how it is spelled.
Spend a holiday in the country of the language you are learning and speak as much as possible there. It is best to take some kind of intensive language course, for example in Malta. But this is a very costly undertaking. On the other hand, it is in such places that you can make useful business contacts. So consider spending on such a trip as an investment in a happy future.
■ Training period depends on so many factors: your efforts and abilities, as well as how intensively you study and how good your teacher is. You can take a year.
■ What is the result. While walking with the Englishman to the embassy, we chatted casually and even giggled a couple of times.
Advanced
This is the level of fluency in English. Above it is only the carrier level. That is, around you, when you master the language at this level, there will be almost no one who knows the language better. Indeed, 80% of your communication in English is not with native speakers, but with those who, like you, have learned it. As a rule, graduates of the philological faculty with a degree in English speak the language at this level. What does freehold mean? The fact that you can talk about any topic, even if you have little knowledge of the subject. Yes, like in Russian. Having reached this level, you can get one of the certificates: CAE (Certificate in Advanced English), IELTS - for 7-7.5 points, TOEFL - for 96-109 points.
■ Knowledge and skills at Advanced level
Congratulations, you have gained freedom! For everyday life and office work, this level is quite enough. You will clearly explain to your boss why you need a pay rise, and to your English husband why you think he does not love you.
■ Our recommendations. Having reached this level, you not only speak the language, you can think in it. Even if for some reason you will not use it for a long time, then in a short time you will completely restore all knowledge on your own.
■ What is the result. You had a pleasant time walking the Englishman to the embassy and chatting with him on the way. And they didn’t even notice that he was lisping.
Proficiency
This is the level of an educated native speaker. Educated is the key word. That is, this is a person who graduated from the university and has a bachelor's degree. The level of proficiency is close to the level of language proficiency of a native speaker. As a rule, only people who graduated from the university in the country of the language being studied know it this way (and even then not always).
■ Proficiency level knowledge and skills. If you know the language so well, it means that you can take part in scientific conferences, write scientific papers, you can get a scientific degree in the country of the language being studied.
Yes, this is exactly the level of "Doctor House" and "The Big Bang Theory". This is the level at which you will not have any difficulties in communication: you will equally well understand a grandmother from Brooklyn, and a professor from the University of Massachusetts, and an Englishman who, on the way to the embassy, will tell you why he considers insolvent
big bang theory. Knowing the language at this level, you can get a certificate CPE, IELTS (8-9 points), TOEFL (110-120 points).
■ Job prospects. As you can see, if you write “fluency” on your resume, then the employer will decide that you have at least an Upper-Intermediate level. The funny thing is that your level may be lower, but he will not notice it, because most often the employer needs an employee with English at the level of “Good afternoon. Do you want tea or coffee?”, but at the same time, in the requirements for the applicant, he writes “fluency”.
Fluency in the language is required when working as an expat or in a foreign company. Or if you are entrusted with the duties of not only a personal assistant, but also an interpreter. In all other cases
for the quality performance of their duties and a comfortable stay in the office of the Intermediate level is quite enough.
It is also very important to remember that even if you know English at the Upper-Intermediate (B2) level and above, then when preparing for negotiations, speeches, and conversations on a specialized topic, you need to compile a glossary.
Maybe you've ever noticed that some interpreters don't translate some phrases during negotiations. Most often, these are irresponsible translators who were too lazy to prepare and learn new vocabulary. They just don't understand what is at stake.
But some mining engineer at the same negotiations, who is only familiar with Present Simple, can be much more useful than a professional translator. Because he works with technology, knows all the words, draws a diagram on a piece of paper with a pencil - and now everyone understands each other. And if they have AutoCAD, they don’t need a translator, or even Present Simple: they will understand each other perfectly.
LANGUAGE CERTIFICATES
What certificates are we talking about here all the time? This refers to official documents confirming your knowledge of the English language.
■ CAE(Certificate in advanced English) is an English language exam developed and administered by the ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) division of the University of Cambridge.
Developed and first introduced in 1991. The certificate corresponds to level C1 of the Common European Classification of Languages. The validity period of the certificate is not limited. Needed for admission to universities where education is taught in English, and employment.
Where to get a certificate: in Moscow, the CAE exam is taken by Education First Moscow, Language Link, BKC-IH, Center for Language Studies. Other educational organizations also accept, but they work only with their students. A complete list of centers where you can take the exam is available at: www.cambridgeenglish.org/find-a-centre/find-an-exam-centre.
■ CPE(Certificate of Proficiency in English) is an English language exam developed and administered by the ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) division of the University of Cambridge. The certificate corresponds to the level C2 of the common European classification of languages and confirms the highest level of English proficiency. The validity period of the certificate is not limited.
Where to get a certificate: The Moscow Institute of Foreign Languages offers to take courses and pass an exam: www.mosinyaz.com.
Testing and exam preparation centers in other cities of Russia and the world can be found at: www.cambridgeenglish.org/find-a-centre/find-an-exam-centre.
■ IELTS(International English Language Testing System) - an international testing system to determine the level of knowledge in the field of English. The system is good in that it tests knowledge in four aspects: reading, writing, listening, speaking. Needed for admission to universities in the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland. And also for those who plan to leave for one of these countries for permanent residence.
See www.ielts.org/book-a-test/find-atest-location for where to get certified.
■ TOEFL(Test of English as a Foreign Language, Test for knowledge of English as a foreign language) - a standardized test for knowledge of English (in its North American version), the delivery of which is required for non-English-speaking foreigners when entering universities in the USA and Canada, as well as Europe and Asia . Test results are also accepted in a number of other English-speaking and non-English-speaking countries for admission to English-medium universities. In addition, the test results can be claimed when recruiting to foreign companies. The test results are stored in the company's database for 2 years, after which they are deleted.
The certificate also assesses language proficiency in four aspects.
Where to get a certificate: www.ets.org/bin/getprogram.cgi?test=TOEFL.
WHERE TO GO TO STUDY?
This is the most important question. Of course, if you have graduated from the English department of the philological faculty, it is not in front of you. In all other cases, you will have to make this difficult choice.
■ Tutor. Courses or tutor? I'm for the tutor. And for classes in a group of two people. Three is a lot, but one is expensive and not as effective.
Why individual training? Because in this case, the teacher sees all your strengths and weaknesses, he does not have the task of bringing the course to an “acceptable” level for the exam and forget about the group, he has the task of really teaching you the language, because then, thanks to word of mouth, he will have more students and, consequently, earnings.
In addition, the specifics of the profession of a tutor is that every minute of his working time is paid. And when a person works in such conditions, he cannot afford to hack.
Working in pairs is better because it disciplines. You can cancel a lesson due to bad weather or an attack of laziness - you pay the tutor where he goes. But to disrupt the lesson, which is planned for two, conscience will not allow.
Where to find and how to choose a tutor? First of all, on the recommendation of friends whose successes inspire you.
If there are no such acquaintances, you need to find courses at a reputable educational institution: university, institute, consulate. They try to take good teachers there - they keep the brand. And teachers go there because they see such courses as a free advertising platform for recruiting individual students. You can go there to the level you need, and there you will already agree with the teacher. By the way, now language schools often present their teaching staff on their websites, and you can search the Internet for reviews of specialists.
■language schools. If you decide to take courses at a language school, choose accredited centers where you can take an exam for one of the certificates. As a rule, such schools have a good level of teaching, there are various exchange programs, study abroad, teachers in them are native speakers.
■ Skype. Another option is to learn English via Skype. Why not?
You can do this at work, if conditions allow, and at home. Of the international well-established schools, we advise you to pay attention to Glasha: www.glasha.biz.
■ Courses of study abroad.
If you have the opportunity (financial) and knowledge of the language is not lower than the Intermediate level, then you can choose language courses abroad. For example, here: www.staracademy.ru. Yes, there is training in Australia. There are also summer camps for adults. In Malta. And in Ireland. And in many other places. It's expensive, but very effective.
TIPS AND UTILITIES IN LEARNING A LANGUAGE
■ Learn grammar. Reading adapted literature is boring. Helpful but unbearable. Learning grammar is a nightmare. But grammar in language is like formulas in mathematics. Learned them - you can move on and take new heights. No - it will only get worse further, and with each step there is less and less chance of reaching the top.
■ Use all available resources. In the pursuit of knowledge, all means are good: interactive Internet resources, comics, video games, tabloid literature, beauty blogs - anything.
The more interesting the topic is for you, the easier it will be for you to learn. Also, try to find or organize a conversation club (you can even create a group in WhatsApp) and discuss topics that concern you there. No, not what books you liked from the ones you read this year, but what qualities infuriate you in your partner, for which you are still offended by your mother and when the stadium on Krestovsky Island is finally completed. When a person is interested in a subject, he will find a way to say it.
■ Read books. Starting from the Intermediate level, you can safely read:
Books by Sophie Kinsella;
Her own works under the name of Madeleine Wickham;
Series about Bridget Jones;
Jane Austen;
Somerset Maugham.
Choose books by modern authors, where there is no twisted detective story, complex allegory, excessive philosophizing, a large amount of special vocabulary. You need a simple narrative text: she wanted to marry him, and he wanted to become an astronaut. And so three hundred pages. You will get used to modern British / American / other English, willy-nilly learn new words and at the same time you will not get confused in the twists and turns of the plot and the high feelings of the main character.
■ Watch movies and series:
Any action movies, especially those with subtitles - there are few dialogues, the video sequence is beautiful;
Comedies in the spirit of "Home Alone", "We are the Millers", "Beethoven" - no reasoning about Nietzsche's philosophy, a simple and understandable plot, a lot of everyday vocabulary;
Melodramas of the "Eat, Pray, Love" format;
The series "Sex and the City", "Friends", "The Simpsons", etc.
Learning a language is a long and difficult journey. And he's also very interesting. In addition to knowing the language, you will get a nice bonus - you will begin to understand how native speakers think. And it will open up a different world for you. And if you lack motivation, just remember that you have no choice. A modern person must know English. And point.
In order to get a job in an international company or organization engaged in foreign economic activity, it is necessary. To date, the most common and popular are - English, German, French, Chinese.
Language proficiency on resume
In order to get a job in an international company, you must indicate the level of proficiency in a particular language when filling out your resume. To do this, specify the level in a separate section. Most often, standard options are used, from which it is necessary to choose the most suitable one.
Russified classification:
- base,
- "I'm fluent"
- "I am fluent."
- beginner,
- advanced,
- basic,
- elementary level
- Upper Intermediate.
How should I indicate the level of language proficiency in the resume?
Naturally, in the resume it is necessary to indicate your real one. Another question is how to define it correctly.
For example, Intermediate assumes that a person can not only clearly and clearly express his thoughts and understand the interlocutor, but also write informational articles, conduct business correspondence, fill out declarations and other important documents.
To language, you can use one of the following methods:
- When passing training, the level of knowledge is usually indicated, which should be shown by the practitioner.
- Take an online test.
- To confirm the level, from Intermediate and above, the following relevant tests must be passed.
Levels of knowledge of the language (Russified classification)
At the moment, there is the most accurate and official classification of different levels of English proficiency.
According to her, they are divided into the following, which we will now analyze in more detail: 
- Advanced is the highest level of English proficiency. Moreover, both oral speech and writing are taken into account.
- Upper-intermediate(in modern texts it can be achieved with a set of 550 - up to 600 points). At the same time, a person at this level can easily communicate, watch movies and fully understand them. With such a level of knowledge of the language, it is possible to freely find a job in any company - both in a large and in a relatively small organization.
- intermediate- in order to get this level, you need to score from 400 to 550 points on the TOEFL text. This indicates that a person can communicate as competently and freely as possible on certain topics. Knows all the basic rules and features of the English language. Can conduct business negotiations at the proper level.
- Pre-intermediate represents the level of knowledge of a person who can freely perceive what is said (read) and delve into the essence.
- Elementary is an elementary or basic level of knowledge of the English language. Knowing English at this level, a person can freely quickly read various, as well as most. In addition, knowledge of the most basic and simple grammatical and spelling structures should also be present.
- beginner- Beginner level of English proficiency. It represents the easiest level of language proficiency. A person receives the most initial level at school. A person with these English language skills can still talk on various topics.
Level of language proficiency according to the European scale
In most countries of the world, the common European system (CEFR) has been adopted, which is used to determine the level of English proficiency. Thanks to this scale, standards have been established that are applied throughout the world for the most comprehensive definition of language competence.
This system is used to recognize their qualifications, which have been obtained in a variety of educational systems and have a direct impact on academic and labor migration not only in European countries, but throughout the world.
This rating scale can be applied to any language. This is due to the fact that the association "ALTE" developed and implemented a special formula "Sai Mo". The division goes into general educational and working moments.
According to the common European scale, the level of foreign language proficiency is divided into the following:
- A1 - initial - Breakshowge.
- A2 - 1 level (Pre-intermediate and Elementary).
- B1 - Intermediate.
- B2 - Upper-intermediate.
- C1 - Advanced.
- C2 - "Pro"
Each level is confirmed by passing the corresponding exam (Cambridge).
Valuable addition to the resume:
When filling out your resume, you must indicate not only the level of English proficiency, but also the availability of an appropriate certificate, as well as information about passing certain exams: B1, B2, C1 and C2.
It is also useful to indicate the full name of the detailed institution.
Certificates confirming the level of English
International certificates are issued to candidates on hand and are documentary evidence of the level of knowledge of the English language.
They are subdivided:
- . This certificate is recognized in almost 130 countries around the world. First of all, these are most countries of the European continent, as well as New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the USA. This certificate is issued for two years, after which it must be re-validated.
- TOEFL. It is necessary for applicants when entering educational institutions where the MBA program is taught, as well as for employment. This certificate is recognized in Canada and the USA (over 2400 colleges), the TOEFL certificate is recognized in 150 countries. Its validity period is 2 years.
- GMAT. This international certificate is required for admission to western universities, business schools, educational institutions where training is conducted under the MBA program, as well as in employment in large international companies. The validity of this certificate is currently 5 years.
- GRE. This international certificate is required for admission to graduate school at most American universities. Its validity period is 5 years.
- TOEIK.This certificate is required for applicants and students, including linguistic universities. Often a TOEIK certificate is required when applying for a job in a variety of English-speaking companies. The validity period is 2 years. But you can rent immediately for five years. But for this, you need to pay 50 dollars (standard fee).
Exams confirming language skills and the level of English (international scale)
Today, all over the world, the most common are Cambridge tests (which are annually passed by tens of millions of people from different regions of the globe - Cambridge COP).
This system is designed for different levels of English proficiency and provides an opportunity to get a preliminary assessment of your own knowledge. Each test confirms the level of knowledge and makes an assessment.
CAM (pr CEFR at Intermediate) with access to Elementary (A1 and A2), PET (Intermediate B1), FSE - Upper-intermediate (B2), - Advanced (C1), CPE - Pre-intermediate (C2). In addition, there are a number of others - highly specialized exams.
English proficiency test
A huge number of a wide variety of tests have now appeared on the Internet, which make it possible to test your level of knowledge of the language. But here it is important to remember that not all of them are reliable, since most of them are just dummies that have nothing to do with official tests and counting criteria.
It is easier to call them simulators or applications. The most popular and popular is http://www.cambridgeenglish.org.ru/test-your-english/. This is due to the fact that it was released by Cambridge specialists and all the data obtained in it are reliable.
When applying to foreign universities, everyone for whom English is not their native language must confirm their language competence by passing a language test. In order to organize the preparation for testing most effectively, it is necessary to figure out exactly what tests a student needs, when and with what level of English you can start preparing, what time frame and budget you need to meet.
What tests do students need
You can read about general and special tests required for admission to universities in the UK.
Preparation: how to achieve the best results?
The secret of excellent results is hidden not only in the language abilities of the student. In many ways, it depends on the motivation and proper organization of the preparation process. Learning a foreign language is always a big and painstaking job that needs to be properly planned.
1. We formulate goals and objectives
To form a clear understanding of the goals and objectives to be solved, the following input data will help:
At what level of English can I start preparing for exams
What level of English do universities require?
When to start preparing?
1. Determine your language level
Tests and interviews offered by all reputable English language schools will help determine the current language level of a student. Tests are usually available via the Internet, interviews - face-to-face.
3. Determine the timing of preparation
The speed of learning, first of all, depends on the workload, quality and regularity of work. At the same time, there are standards developed by the Council of Europe (Council of Europe’s Common European Framework), which establish a scale of levels comparable for all European languages and the amount of study time from the beginning of training to achieve each of them.
To understand what linguistic levels exist, compare them with the results of the main tests accepted by universities, and calculate how much time it will take to prepare, based on the current language level of the student, the table on this link will help.
Preparing for tests carried out according to special textbooks. Russian programs are designed for an average of 30-40 classroom lessons (from 1 to 4 months, depending on the intensity of the course). For Advanced level students, one-day programs are offered. It should be remembered that the tests impose strict requirements on the structure and content of answers and essays, and this often causes difficulties for Russian students. Regardless of the level of language proficiency, learning to clearly structure your thoughts in writing is a separate preparation task.
For high-quality assimilation of a foreign language, a large amount of independent work is required. It is necessary to read, listen, communicate as much as possible and practice writing skills, that is, use the language just for the purposes for which it is studied. It is advisable to devote as much time to such activities as to grammar and exercises.
4. Choose where, how and with whom to prepare
Depending on the preparation tasks and personal priorities, you can choose one of the following methods:
- Courses in the UK and Russia
- With a teacher
- On one's own
- Practice
We plan and ... we act!
- determine the level of language proficiency;
- clarify the requirements of universities and the deadlines for submitting documents;
- choose the most appropriate exam/certificate;
- choose the form of classes: courses, private teacher, self-training;
- we select the language program that is optimal in terms of content, intensity and cost.
It's time to act!
There are two main international certificates for knowledge of English - TOEFL and IELTS. The first is conducted electronically, the second - using paper examination forms. Both tests test reading, writing, listening and speaking skills, but the tasks are different. For example, when passing TOEFL, the speech is recorded and sent to the assessment center, and when passing IELTS, the student personally communicates with the examiner.
TOEFL
Required for admission to universities in Europe, USA, Canada, Asia. It is currently the most widely used English proficiency test in the world. It is accepted by about 9 thousand universities around the world. The exam is taken in accredited centers in Russia. The TOEFL fee is $255. The test certificate is valid for two years.
IELTS
Required for admission to universities in the UK, New Zealand, Australia, USA. The exam has a special module for those who go to a university abroad - Academic. Like TOEFL, the IELTS exam can be taken in Russia at accredited centers. The certificate is valid for two years. Preparation for this exam can be done at IQ Consultancy.CAE and CPE
Cambridge Advanced (CAE) and Proficiency (CPE) language exams. Cambridge language exam certificates testify to a high level of English proficiency. They are required for admission to a number of top universities in the UK. Testing can be taken in Russia at accredited language schools. The validity of CAE and CPE certificates is not limited.
German proficiency exams
TestDaF
It is held several times a year in universities in Germany and in accredited centers around the world. Developed on behalf of DAAD, the German Academic Exchange Service. It checks the ability to understand teachers at lectures, communicate with other students, read scientific articles, write abstracts. The cost of testing varies, on average it is 130 €. The validity period of the certificate is not limited.DSH
The exam is held at universities in Germany. Most of them offer DSH preparation courses. Like TestDaF, the exam is focused on testing readiness for studying at universities, so special emphasis is placed on the scientific vocabulary. In many universities in Germany, this exam is free of charge, some charge a fee of about 100 €. DSH is taken at the university in which they plan to enter. It may be valid at other universities, but this is up to them.
The main difference between TestDaF and DSH is that the first exam is standardized and therefore accepted in universities throughout Germany. TestDaF can be taken in Russia, DSH - only in Germany.
French proficiency exams
The CIEP International Center for Educational Research organizes and administers two French language tests, the results of which are required for admission to French-language programs in the vast majority of cases.
TCF
There are various versions of this test. For admission to the first year of the university, you need to take the TCF-DAP. Also, its results are required for admission to architectural universities. For admission to other levels of study, TCF-TP results are required. The test can be passed with additional options - expression écrite (writing) or expression orale (oral speech). Whether these options are necessary, you need to check with the chosen university. The exam is taken in accredited centers around the world. The cost of passing the test is 5000 rubles. The issued certificate is valid for two years.
DELF/DALF
The DELF diploma certifies knowledge of French at a basic or advanced level. The DALF diploma confirms fluency in the language and knowledge of the socio-cultural environment of France. The requirements of universities for applicants indicate which level is considered to be passing (DELF B1, DELF B2, DALF C1). You can take the test in accredited centers, the cost of passing varies from 1800 to 6000 rubles. The diploma has no expiration date.
Both exams are standardized and accepted for admission to francophone programs around the world. TCF results, like most international tests, are only valid for two years. When passing DELF / DALF, a diploma is issued that has no expiration date.
Spanish Proficiency Exam
DELE
The certificate is issued by the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports. The examinations are organized by the Instituto Cervantes. Testing is carried out in accredited centers. The cost depends on the level and ranges from 2,500 to 5,200 rubles. The validity period of the certificate is not limited.
Chinese Proficiency Exam
HSK
Chinese analogue of TOEFL. Held in accredited centers around the world. The exam is divided into six levels, each of which is tested separately. The written and oral parts must be submitted separately. The cost depends on the chosen level and ranges from 1000 to 1500 for each of the two parts. The certificate is valid for two years.
If you are preparing for English language exams, please contact the IQ Consultancy Language Centre. We prepare for IELTS, TOEFL, GMAT, SAT, SSAT, CAE, CPE. 92% of our students pass the exam with the score they planned or get an even better score.
IQ Consultancy is an accredited admission and preparation center for TOEFL IBT® in St. Petersburg.
If you are interested in education abroad, please contact IQ Consultancy. We will help you choose a university, prepare for admission, collect the necessary documents and successfully complete the enrollment procedure.
