CEFR Language Levels
BiCortex uses the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) for all of its language level training, testing, and evaluative assessment
What are CEFR language levels?
The CEFR language levels are a frame of reference for language fluency in European languages, including Russian, Turkish, Hebrew, and Arabic. It forms the basis for the Council of the European Union’s standards for measuring language fluency in language learners.
BiCortex also utilizes the CEFR for developing course syllabi that is transparent, comprehensive, and in line with the guidelines for learning a new language. This ensures that all language learning with BiCortex is applicable across all European languages. The target language learned can be applied to casual, business, and academic language settings.
We also reference the CEFR when selecting and compiling teaching materials that are recognized across multiple language categories and jurisdictions.
What do CEFR language levels look like?
The CEFR language level scale is divided into three categories: A (Beginner), B (Intermediate), and C (Advanced). These categories are then divided further into two competency levels (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2). The competency levels are then designated into sub-levels (A1.1, A1.2, A2.1, A2.2, etc.).
These grades account for the four major categories of language fluency: reading, writing, speaking, and listening comprehension. BiCortex uses these designations to assign clients to groups and classes that are most suitable for their language proficiency. It is the cornerstone of both our online and in-person training.
Determination of the CEFR language levels
There are different ways in which you can determine the language level according to CEFR. For example, through a self-assessment, using the description of the language level or by means of a placement test and / or directly by the language teacher.
The placement tests generally are distinguished between a quick or a detailed test. A quick placement can be done, for example, by measuring your grammar skills, as in our online placement tests. The BiCortex placement tests consist of 80 questions on grammar topics that are assigned to the individual CEFR language levels.
Another option is to evaluate the four language skills in different ways. For example, reading and listening comprehension is evaluated using a placement test that is carried out online or in writing on site without a teacher’s support. The language skills of writing and speaking are assessed by the language teacher on site or online.
CEFR certification exams
The official language and certification exams are also based on the CEFR levels. You need a CEFR language certificate for education, work or for a visa. This you need from a recognized language institute, such as:
- The Goethe-Institut for German,
- IELTS and TOEFL for English,
- Alliance Française for French,
- Instituto de Cervantes for Spanish,
- CELI for Italian and TELC for several languages.
BiCortex also offers 19-hour preparation courses for certificate exams in all languages. In one-to-one tuition you will get to know the exam by performing several simulations with your personal language teacher.
Which languages does BiCortex teach?
Do BiCortex’s instructors have additional language teaching certifications?
BiCortex’s instructors are appointed following a careful recruitment process, assessing not only their qualifications and experience, but also their preferred methodology and teaching style and ability to utilise technology to teach.
Most have teaching certificates in foreign language instruction and they use the CEFR for language training to underpin their lesson content. These certificates in delivering language classes give our instructors training and practice for teaching a foreign language, classroom management and technology to aid learning.
Official certifications for teaching foreign languages that our instructors hold include:
- CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
- TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)
- DaF (Deutsch als Fremdsprache)
- NT2 (Nederlands als Tweede Taal)
- ELE (Español Lengua Estranjera)
- FLE (Français Langue Étrangère)
- DITALS (Didattica dell’italiano come lingua straniera)
- TCFL (Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language)
- PPPLE (Professor de Português Língua Estrangeira)
Many of BiCortex’s instructors have further certification or experience working with official language-promotion institutions, including:
This means that BiCortex and all of our instructors offer the most relevant and up-to-date language instruction that is in line with the target language’s educational guidelines.
