Language levels

What is the difference between a 10 credit module and a 20 credit module?

Our 10 credit modules cover half of a 20 credit module in content and grammar; therefore, the expected outcome level is lower and this may affect progression onto the next level.  If you wish to continue to the next level, we would advise that you speak with a member of the team before enrolling onto a 10 credit module.

What if I think I’m at a different level?

If you have a language qualification but it has been a number of years since you have learnt the language formally, a member of the support team will advise you of your initial level placement. 

Once teaching begins, your module tutor will assess your level further. If you are at a higher or lower level, you will need to move to a suitable module, subject to availability.

If you are restarting a language, we would encourage looking over your previous materials, to build your confidence before teaching begins.

Beginner

Requirements

•  No prior knowledge or previous study of the language

Expected level on completion

• A1+ CEFR level

Elementary

Requirements

• Successful completion of Beginner level Languages for All module
• A1 CEFR level or GCSE grade D or lower
• An agreed equivalent.

• Understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type.

• Introduce yourself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where you live, people you know and things you have.

• Interact in a simple way providing that the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

Expected level on completion

• A2+ CEFR level (UK GCSE level A-C equivalent)

Lower intermediate

Requirements

• Successful completion of Elementary level Languages for All module (20 credits)
• GCSE grade A*-C or 4-9 in the new system
• A2 CEFR level (may have some competencies at B1)
• An agreed equivalent.
• Understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment. 

• Communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.

• Describe in simple terms aspects of your background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate basic need.

Expected level on completion

• B1 CEFR level 

Upper intermediate

Requirements

• Successful completion of Lower intermediate languages for All module (20 credit)
• AS level grade A*-C
• B1 CEFR level
• An agreed equivalent.

• Understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure etc. 

• Deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken.

• Produce simple connected text on topics, which are familiar, or of personal interest.

• Describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

Expected level on completion

• B2 CEFR level

Advanced

Requirements

• Successful completion of Upper intermediate Languages for All module (20 credit)
• Full A level grade A*-C
• B1/B2 CEFR level
• An agreed equivalent.

• Understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in your field of specialisation.

• Interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with fluent speakers possible without strain for either party.

• Produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

Expected level on completion

•  B2 CEFR level

Advanced plus

Requirements

• Successful completion of the Languages for All Advanced module
• A level A*-C plus 1 year of study
• 6-12 months in specific language speaking country
• Near fluency
• B2 CEFR level

• 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 organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

• Describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

Expected level on completion

•  C1/C2 CEFR level

Beginner

This module is open to people with no previous knowledge of the language. If you have studied the language before, an assessment with a module tutor will be required. 

Elementary

• Successfully completed the Beginner Languages for All module (20 credit)
  or
  Some knowledge of the language from previous study (40 - 50 taught hours / 200 private study hours).

• Some awareness of cultural and linguistic differences between the use of the language and English.  
• An understanding of commonly used vocabulary and everyday expressions.
• A basic knowledge of grammar such as sentence structure.    
• Extract the key information from simple audio material.
• Understand and make themselves understood by a sympathetic native speaker in specific contexts.    
• Produce short pieces of independent writing.
• Handle short conversations in a familiar context.    
• Be able to ask and answer a range of simple questions and demonstrate knowledge of future and past tenses.

Japanese

• Read and write hiragana, katakana and c.20-30 kanji.
• Have an awareness of character origin, form and different readings.

Korean

• Be able to read Hangul in a text without particularly understanding the content. 
• Be able to write a short paragraph (eg about yourself) in Hangul.

Mandarin

• Understand the rules of Chinese characters.
• Recognise some common Chinese words - see HSK level 1 (150 words).
• Copy and write some basic characters accurately.

Lower intermediate

• Successfully completed the Elementary Languages for All module (20 credit)
  or
• GCSE A-C or equivalent
  or
• Studied the language for 80-100 taught hours / 400 private study hours. 
• Demonstrate an understanding of commonly used instructions, vocabulary, requests and expressions.
• Demonstrate some awareness of cultural and linguistic differences between the use of the target language and English.
• Demonstrate knowledge of key areas of grammar, including continuous tenses and comparative and superlative forms.
• Extract accurately the key information from audio material.
• Read short texts.
• Produce short pieces of independent writing.
• Understand and make themselves understood by a sympathetic native speaker in specific contexts.
• Demonstrate an understanding of more complex sentences and expressing degree.

Japanese

• Read and write c.100-120 kanji and have an awareness of structure, form, radicals and rules of writing kanji.
• Be comfortable with hiragana and katakana.
• Demonstrate an understanding of a range of particles.

Korean

• Be able to read any kind of provided text with some understanding.
• Be able to demonstrate an ability to form some complicated sentence structures by using a variety of vocabulary and grammar (eg two different endings).

Mandarin

• Recognise c.300 Chinese words - see HSK level 2.
• Write a good number of common words in characters confidently and accurately.

Upper intermediate

• Successfully completed the Lower intermediate Languages for All module (20 credit)
  or
• Contact the support office for further equivalents.
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of commonly used instructions, vocabulary, requests and expressions, some arguments.
• Demonstrate greater awareness of cultural and linguistic differences between the use of the target language and English.
• Demonstrate knowledge of key areas of grammar, able to use a variety of tenses.
• Extract accurately the key information from audio material and video material.
• Read longer texts, letter, dialogues or news independently.
• Produce independent writing describing experiences opinions and impressions.
• Understand and make yourself understood by a sympathetic native speaker in extended speech.
• Demonstrate an understanding of more complex sentences and expressions.

Mandarin

• Recognise at least 600 Chinese words - see HSK level 3.
• Write a good number of common words in characters confidently and accurately from memory.