Levels of Language Proficiency
For anyone pursuing a career in corporate finance, it can be important to include your level of language fluency on your resume and job application. There are five language proficiency levels, and many employers require at least level three, which is essentially a professional (functional) working proficiency level. This guide will discuss the five levels in more detail to ensure you have the appropriate one listed on your resume.
0-5 Language Proficiency Levels
Detailed below are the language proficiency levels that you can choose from for your resume. They are based on the Inter-agency Language Round-table (ILR) scale that is set by the U.S. Foreign Service Institute.
0 โ No Proficiency
At this lowest level, there is basically no knowledge of the language. The person may know a few words, but canโt form sentences or carry on any type of conversation.
Phrased as: โNo Englishโ (example)
1 โ Elementary Proficiency
At this language proficiency level, a person can form basic sentences, including asking and answering simple questions. This is essentially the starting point of the language proficiency levels. This level reflects someone who is traveling to a new country and who has just begun to study a language.
Phrased as: โElementary Spanishโ
2 โ Limited Working Proficiency
Someone at this level can handle basic work commands and social phrases. They can carry on limited casual conversations at the office and discuss their personal life. Someone at this level still needs help with more extensive conversations in the language. They can only operate independently in basic conversations.
Phrased as: โLimited Working Englishโ
3 โ Professional Working Proficiency
Someone at this language proficiency level can make contributions to office meetings, have conversations with clients, and carry out most work functions requested of them. A person at level 3 can speak at a normal speed in the language and has a fairly extensive vocabulary. They likely still have an accent at this level and probably require help understanding subtle and nuanced phrasing. Some employers consider this level or above as basically acceptable, depending on the specific job.
Phrased as: โProfessional Working Spanishโ
4 โ Full Professional Proficiency
Full professional fluency is desired by most employers. Someone at this level can have advanced discussions on a wide range of topics about personal life, current events, and technical topics such as business and finance. People at this level may still have a minor accent and may occasionally misspeak or make minor mistakes. Their vocabulary is extensive and they can carry on conversations with ease. Most employers consider level 4 or above acceptable.
Phrased as: โFull Professional Spanishโ
5 โ Native / Bilingual Proficiency
Someone at this language proficiency level was either raised speaking the language as their native tongue or has been speaking it so long that they are completely fluent. They have little or no accent.
Phrased as: โNative Englishโ or โBilingual English & Spanishโ
Language Proficiency Levels Resume
Letโs look at how to list language proficiency levels on your resume. They are typically listed at the bottom of your resume, under a category such as โSkillsโ or โAdditional Informationโ. You should list your proficiency level in the shorthand terms shown above as โphrased asโ. You can also include a slightly more detailed explanation of the level. For example, you might indicate your fluency level as โFull Professional French โ Level 4 โ Can easily converse in French regarding either business or personal subjects, including technical discussions of corporate financeโ.
Below is an example of what it looks like to properly include language proficiency levels on your resume.
The Virtues of Language Proficiency Tests
The advantages of language proficiency tests are twofold.
First, they can be used as proof of competence for job applications and advanced studies. Sure, the world might be a better place if there werenโt any language proficiency tests. You wouldnโt have to cough up any fees. During interviews, the person screening you would simply have the liberty to ask you anything to test your knowledge and competence in the language.
But imagine how impractical and unprofessional that would be in actual practice. Letโs say itโs your fifth job interview, and you have a particularly curious French interviewer who wants to test your linguistic chops and asks you: Whatโs the French word for โelevatorโ? How about โorangeโ? Whatโs the difference between avoir and รชtre? Translate this phrase for me: โI am late because my car broke down.โ
Wouldnโt that be a little bit insulting, if not time and energy consuming? Could anyone get an accurate, thorough picture of someoneโs overall French knowledge in a quick sit-down like this?
Having documentary proof for passing the Test de Connaissance du Franรงais, you can just silently insert the certificate with your other requirements and be on your way. The interviewer will now only have to ask, โWhat level did you get in TCF?โ To which you respond, โC2,โ and the two of you can move on to talk about salaries and what not.
Your language proficiency test results are clear and succinct statements of your competency in the language. Iโm not saying the tests are perfect, but I am saying that theyโre a handy shortcut when you want to prove your linguistic chops. Thatโs why many governments, companies and institutions require them from applicants. A lettered number like C2 tells them more than they need to know about you and your skills. So, for someone who wants to work in a specific country or take advanced classes, a language proficiency test might be a required element of your application.
A second virtue of language testโand this is on a more personal noteโis that by anticipating an exam, a righteous fire is sparked underneath you, compelling you to prepare. Youโre provided with an excellent motivation to hit the books, work the flashcards and stay in on Saturday evenings.
Oftentimes, this kind of furious dedication can only be acquired through an upcoming standardized examination. When youโre working for a โgolden starโ or a โbrownie point,โ somehow it doesnโt bear the same seriousness as a government sanctioned assessment.
So you get motivated because youโre paying for it yourself and because you donโt get to take it every day. Youโve got one shot to prove yourself (unless you want to pay the fee and sit down to take the test again).
As a result, your study and review sessions result in a very in-depth learning of the language that you would otherwise not have had, had you not prepared so hard for the exam.
That can only mean wonderful things for you! Especially if youโre aware of entertaining ways to study that keep the process from being frustrating or monotonous, like FluentU.
And really, a third virtue of language proficiency tests is that after you pass them, they become bona fide confidence boosters. They add a spring to your steps, scaffolding your chin so that it always remains up. To know that youโre good enough is enough to make you wanna brag, even if itโs just to yourself or your mom.
You passed a hurdle, knocked one out of the park. So, what can life throw your way that you canโt handle? You already have personal proof that as long as you put your mind into it, youโll make it.
What Language Proficiency Tests to Take?
As far as language proficiency tests go, there are plenty of fish in the sea. So, you must be able to filter whatโs good and widely recognized and whatโs not. You donโt want to study hard and pass a test only to discover that the institution youโre applying to goes by a different measure.
A great rule of thumb is to first ask your target institution what proficiency tests they require and recognize. This information is often available in job and university application instructions, on the institutionโs main website or within the online FAQ, but if these resources yield no results then go ahead and call or email someone.
That said, here are some of the most prestigious as well as widely-recognized language assessment tools for different languages.
8 Foreign Language Proficiency Tests That All Learners Should Know About
English
TOEFL
If you want to enroll in an English-speaking academic institution in a place like the United States, Australia, Canada or the United Kingdom and you come from a country where English is not the first language, you may have to prove that you can handle English as the language medium for the coursework. In this case, youโll have to take the TOEFL.
TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language. And that, exactly, is what itโs all about. The TOEFL tests your reading, listening, speaking and writing skills in four separate sections, each section devoted to one skill. There are specific elements in the TOEFL geared to assess each of these skills in different ways.
Overall, your English comprehension will definitely be tested. For example, in the Reading Comprehension section, you may be asked to read three to four academic passages and after each one youโll be asked a couple of questions based on the texts. In the Independent and Integrated Writing sections, youโll be asked to write an essay or opinion piece on a given topic, and youโll also need to make a structured argument about something said within a given passage. The TOEFL is set to find out if youโre ready for the rigors of academic training in an English-speaking institution.
You can register for the test online, by mail or by phone. Youโll then get information about the date, time and test center where youโll sit down for the test.
Speaking of test centers, thereโs more than one way to go about taking the test. There are online and paper-based versions of the TOEFL. The online version, offered more than 50 times a year, is the more common one with fees ranging from $160-$250, depending on your location. The test can be completed in 4.5 hours, including a 10-minute break.
The paper-based test ($160, 4 hours to complete) is comparable to the online test except that it doesnโt have the speaking section where you listen to a native speaker talk (sometimes with an accent) and give an audio response based on what youโve heard.
TOEFL results are valid for two years and you can ask the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the examโs administrator, to independently send your results to schools and universities that youโve applied to.
For the best tips about this test, subscribe to FluentUโs TOEFL blog.
IELTS
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is also another widely recognized English language proficiency test. Itโs jointly managed by the British Council, IDP Education and Cambridge English Language Assessment.
IELTS also tests all four English communication skills: reading (60 minutes), writing (60 minutes), listening (30 minutes) and speaking (11-14 minutes). The whole test should be finished in 2 hours and 45 minutes.
The IELTS speaking section is actually a recorded face-to-face interview given by a certified examiner, and it comes close to the real, practical experience of talking to a native speaker. Itโs divided into three parts. The first one involves personal introductions. The examiner will introduce himself or herself, and youโll do the same. The examiners may ask you further questions about your family, work, background, hobbies and interests.
In the second section of the test youโre given a task card, and youโll be asked to talk at length about the topic written on it. Talking points will also be included on the task card, so make sure you cover them in your discussion. Youโll be given 1-2 minutes to prepare, and writing down and reading from notes is allowed. After your talk, the examiner will ask you a question or two on the topic.
The third section is really an extension of the second. Itโll be a discussion between you and the examiner. The examiner will probe you about the topic and will try to gauge your ability to communicate information, issues and ideas.
IELTS come in two flavors, one geared for students (โAcademicโ) applying for advanced studies and postgraduate degrees, and another for migrants (โGeneral Trainingโ) who wish to prove English competence as part of their visa or employment application.
The tests differ in the reading and writing sections. Academic IELTS involves questions and passages that test a studentโs ability to thrive in an academic or professional environment, while General Training IELTS tests a personโs practical, everyday proficiency with the English language.
There are no failing marks for this test, only band scores (0-9). A โ0โ means you didnโt take the test, a โ1โ means that you have essentially no ability to use the language, save for some isolated words or expressions, and a โ9โ means that youโre an expert English speaker and have full operational command of the language.
The test fee will vary on your location. Find out how much it will cost here.
For more wonderful insights into the test, subscribe to FluentUโs IELTS blog.
TOEIC
The Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) rounds up the triumvirate of English-based proficiency tests. It was developed by the Educational Testing Service to (ETS) to gauge English proficiency in the business or professional setting and is now recognized by 14,000 organizations in 150 countries. Koreaโs LG Group and China Southern Airlines are just two of the many corporations that rely on TOEIC as a tool for business decisions.
In the question of recruitment, placement or promotion, a stellar TOEIC score could make a huge difference.
There are two types of TOEIC. The first is the TOEIC Listening and Reading and it tests exactly those two skills. Itโs a 2-hour exercise made up of 200 questions that gauge listening and reading comprehension in every way possible. For example, in the listening comprehension portion, youโll be shown a picture followed by four audio statements about the image. Youโll mark your answer sheet to indicate the statement that best describes the picture. So, if the picture is about guys playing basketball, then you choose the statement which exactly expresses that. Be careful because the audio statements will only be presented once.
The second type, TOEIC Speaking and Writing, was introduced in 2006. With this test youโll be tested on pronunciation, fluency, vocabulary, grammar, coherence and organization.
In the speaking section of the test, there will be 11 oral tasks that youโll have to completeโranging from reading a specific text out loud to describing a picture or expressing an opinion. The section takes around 20 minutes to finish.
In the writing test format, there are eight written tasks to be completed, ranging from writing a sentence based on a picture to writing an essay expressing an opinion.
So if youโre thinking of getting ahead in your career or enhancing your professional credentials, consider taking the TOEIC. As always, FluentU is here to help. We have a dedicated blog to help all you TOEIC takers out there.
French
TCF
When it comes to proving your French mettle, the Test de Connaissance du Franรงais (TCF) is one test you dare not miss. Itโs administered by Centre International dโรฉtudes Pรฉdagogiques (CIEP) for the French Ministry of Education.
Whether it be for personal, academic or professional reasons, the TCF will give you a language assessment that follows the standards set forth in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
As a short aside, in 2001, a European Union Council Resolution recommended the use of CEFR as a standard system to test and validate language proficiency for the different languages of Europe. The standard levels of proficiency are as follows:
A = Basic User (A1 and A2)
B = Independent User (B1 and B2)
C = Proficient User (C1 and C2)
[A2 is a better than A1, and having a C2 rating means that the test taker has gained fluency and precision with the language. C2 is the highest rating in this system.]
TCF has both compulsory and optional components. The compulsory unit is an 80-item multiple choice test that gauges your listening comprehension, reading comprehension and use of language structures. In the listening portion, for example, you may hear a French dialogue, interview or discussion, and youโll then be asked a question based on what you heard. The reading comprehension section will assess your understanding of French based on the written word, with the items getting progressively more difficult.
The optional test can only be taken once youโve passed the compulsory test. You should take this within two years after passing the compulsory test, as this is the duration of your compulsory scoreโs validity.
The optional component is made up of the speaking and writing sections. The spoken component is a recorded face-to-face interview with an examiner that lasts about 15 minutes. Theyโll give you a series of tasks that will elucidate your French verbal dexterity, and they may ask you to describe an experience or event, explain an idea or discuss a complex topic. The recording of the interview will then be sent to CIEP where it will be evaluated by a team of qualified teachers.
The written portion of the test is composed of six tasks that will progressively get more difficult. All these will be used to see if you can create complex French sentences, synthesize an idea and even paraphrase a paragraph.
Since the spoken and written tests are optional, you may decide not take them at all. For French language lessons, FluentUโs French blog is a delightful option. Weโve also got a complete guide to taking the TCF here.
Spanish
DELE
Diplomas de Espaรฑol como Lengua Extranjera (DELE) are tests administered by Instituto Cervantes on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science, and adhering to the standards set forth by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This means it follows the standard taxonomy of language competency as explained above, where A1 is considered absolute beginner and C2 signifies a high level of fluency.
The test is held five times each yearโin April, May, July, October and Novemberโat 800 test centers in 100 countries.
The DELE is similar to other language proficiency tests, having features that comprehensively gauge Spanish grammar and comprehension. But it does differ in some important respects from tests weโve discussed so far. While other test results are valid for only a limited period of time, usually two years, the DELE is permanently valid. (You are, after all, given a diploma.)
Another unique feature of the DELE is that you determine before the actual assessment which level of testing youโd like to take. While other tests give students the same or similar test and, based on the test results, determine what competency level the student is in, the DELE makes the student choose which test to take beforehand.
This means there are six different versions of the test. Thereโs a DELE for A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2, each successive test getting a little bit more difficult. You determine beforehand what test level youโd like to take. So, youโll need to research which diploma is required by the institution to which youโll be sending your results. B2 is often enough for entry into a Spanish university. But if itโs a medical school youโre interested in, they often require at least a C1 diploma.
How much does it cost? Well, in this respect DELE is like many other tests. It depends on where youโll be taking the test. Get the contact info for the testing center nearest you here.
For more Spanish lessons to help you prepare for the DELE, you can subscribe to the FluentU Spanish blog.
German
TELC
The European Language Certificates (TELC) Deutsch, in partnership with the German federal government, provides a fair evaluation of your German aptitude according to the standards set forth by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Like the DELE, youโll have to choose which TELC level you take. For example, when applying for a spouse visa, an A1 TELC test (the most basic one) is enough. Applying for university and medical school is a different proposition altogether.
The test has a format thatโs similar to that of the other tests weโve discussed here. There are reading and listening comprehension sections and a language elements section, as well as sections devoted to assessing your writing and speaking skills.
The oral part of TELC is a unique one, in that it may not be a one-on-one interview with an examiner. Two persons may be tested at the same time. In this case, the examiner will take the role of facilitator and mediate the conversation.
Twenty minutes before the start of the oral examination, youโll be given a task sheet detailing the things you and your partner will have to do. (No talking with your partner during the prep stage.)
Itโs important that you actively participate in the conversation and respond to what the other examinee is sayingโwithout, of course, dominating the conversation. In case your partner has trouble with the task, try to help him out. (This will merit you extra points!)
Donโt worry. FluentU has got you covered. We have a German language blog to help you in every way we can.
TELC also offers proficiency tests in nine other languagesโSpanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Turkish and Arabic. Check out their official site to find out more.
Chinese
Chinese (Mandarin in particular) is fast becoming a required language for business. Thereโs a whole lot of people studying it at the moment and you could very well be one of them. At some point, youโll want to know where you are in your Chinese progress as well as receive certification for your hard-earned proficiency.
HSK
The Hร nyว Shuวpรญng Kวoshรฌ (HSK), administered by Hanban, an agency of the Ministry of Education of the Peopleโs Republic of China, is the test you should take. Itโs the only official, standardized test for Mandarin Chinese.
You can choose from six levels of the test, ranging from HSK1 to HSK6.
HSK1 is the easiest and is designed for learners who can communicate in basic sentences and understand simple Chinese characters. Because of the nature of the language, in addition to the usual fare of reading and listening comprehension, thereโs a section which tests your ability to identify Chinese characters. (Thereโs a list of required characters provided for every level.) Pinyin, Chinese transliteration, is provided in HSK1.
HSK6 is the most difficult test to take and is designed for folks who can fluently converse in the language, know linguistic nuances, use idiomatic expressions properly and express themselves by both written and oral means.
The oral portion of the test can be taken separately. For this separate speaking section there are just three levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced.
The written test fees start at $20 for HSK1 and go up in $10 increments. Oral fees also start at $20 for beginners and go up to $20 and $30 for intermediate and advanced levels respectively.
So get a move on. Start your Chinese review! Why not subscribe to the FluentU Chinese blog? Youโll get to read tons of posts specifically geared towards preparing for the HSK like this one. And this one. Or this one.
Japanese
If you wish to land a top job in the third largest economy in the world, chances are youโre going to need to be certified in Japanese. Even if youโd just like to cultivate excellent business relationships with the Japanese, then knowing some of the language can be a great foot in the door.
In general, the Japanese tend to look favorably on those who not only respect their cherished traditions but also those who can speak their tongue. So, a lot of businesspeople are getting started with their Japanese language programs. FluentUโs Japanese blog would be a great mate!
JLPT
In order to be certified, youโre going to have to take the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), administered by Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES) in cooperation with the Ministry of Education.
Unlike other language proficiency tests that are held several times annually, the JLPT is conducted only twice a year, July and December, in Japan and selected countries. (Well, there are even some countries who have it only once a year.) So, youโd better make your test count.
There are five JLPT levels you can take. N1 is the highest level and N5 is the most basic level. (For serious job seekers who will need Japanese for daily professional purposes, you must pass at least the N2 certification exam.)
The JLPT has reading and listening formats that are comparable to the other language tests we have featured here, testing your knowledge of different grammatical structures and characters, and Iโm sure youโll be sad to know that it doesnโt have a speaking component. Well, thatโs okay. Iโm sure youโll have your hands full with the written section.
To end this post, let me simply say that language fluency tests are not the monsters of the deep theyโre often purported to be.
Theyโre simply a gauge, a way of telling you where you are in your language journey. Theyโre a check, a guide you can use to plan your way and achieve your goals.
So, have at it already, and good luck!
If you liked this post, something tells me that you’ll love FluentU, the best way to learn languages with real-world videos.
Leave a Reply