To have this level of proficiency, you will probably have a degree in the language or will have lived in the target country for a considerable length of time.
Essentially, C1 and C2 levels are classified as the ‘Proficient User’ and they each take around 160 hours to complete, depending on private study and whether you are focusing on all four skills of listening, reading, speaking and writing.
To give you a real-life example, at C1 level you could work in an office managing people and departments; many universities will demand this level if you want to study alongside native speakers. C2 level demonstrates a level of proficiency that might be considered superior in some aspects to many native users!
In 2001, the Council of Europe launched a series of language levels (6 in total) evaluating people on their ability to communicate – not on whether they had an Abitur, Baccalaureate or A-level, an Abschluss, diplôme or degree.
These new levels are based around what you are able to do with the language, called logically, can-do descriptors. They are also divided into each of the 4 skills – listening, reading, speaking and writing.
They are therefore useful, not just for student evaluation, but also for your trainer to hone your course plan. In discussions with the student and the sponsor, Dialogue can build goals and set outcomes for your training that mean you study precisely what you need to study.
Do you require group training or individual training?-
What language do you need to learn?-
Which hour block do you require?-
Understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning.
Express yourself fluently and spontaneously without obvious searching for expressions.
Use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes.
Produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of advanced essay skills and sophisticated speech.
Understand with ease virtually everything heard (live or broadcast) or read, including colloquialisms, regional usage or unfamiliar terminology.
Summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation.
Express yourself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.
Students at C1–C2 level are very aware of their own ‘deficiencies’ and are often very keen to push through to the next level. They need trainers who are sensitive enough and aware enough of language to be able to explain/elicit the finer subtleties of meaning, as well as the cultural impact these subtleties can have. Students at this level benefit from exams as they provide a well-defined target ensuring the student continues to be very proactive in their use of language outside the classroom as well as in it.
These holistic descriptors are taken from the Council of Europe website, updated in February 2018. https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/table-1-cefr-3.3-common-reference-levels-global-scale. They are generic, but have since been adapted for more specific situations (e.g. business, tourism, academia) by ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe)
Training needs analysis form sent to Dialogue detailing outline requirements.
Assessment of student level and greater exploration of student/sponsor needs by phone, Teams/Zoom or in person.
Outline programme created and submitted for approval from students and sponsor.
Foreign language course delivered and monitored.
Student develops skills and confidence to perform sophisticated business roles.
Feedback with recommendations for future study returned to students and sponsor.
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages is an international standard for describing language ability, set across 6 levels from A1-C2, and based on what you CAN DO at each level.
If you have a degree in languages, you could be at C1 or C2. If you have a degree in languages, you could be at C1 or C2. But if your degree was biased towards literature, history or media studies rather than pure language, it may need some extra work. And of course, if it’s been some time since you were at university, it may not be an indication of your current CEFR level anyway. We can assess your level, from a business or general perspective.
C1-C2 are classified as ‘Proficient User’. At C1 level you could work in an office managing people and departments; many universities will demand this level if you want to study alongside native speakers. C2 level demonstrates a level of proficiency that might be considered superior in some aspects to many native users.
They each take around 160 hours to complete. The more time you dedicate outside the classroom to homework and practice, the shorter the training time.
Yes, we can provide a certificate and you will also receive a detailed report establishing your current level according to the CEFR, language covered, your strengths and areas for improvement.
As a B2B provider for 25 years + Dialogue has the experience you need. We understand time pressures and priorities and work around them. We consult closely with you at the start to prioritise content to your needs to make your course directly relevant to your day-to-day work and industry.
