Comments on: Taking CEFRL tests for quality European language certificates with no classes http://www.fluentin3months.com/language-diplomas-no-courses/ Unconventional language hacking tips from Benny the Irish polyglot; travelling the world to learn languages to fluency and beyond! Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:51:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Benny the language hacker http://www.fluentin3months.com/language-diplomas-no-courses/comment-page-1/#comment-7166 Benny the language hacker Mon, 16 Aug 2010 18:09:00 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=2387#comment-7166 Many of these tests are available in the states. There are A.F. Goethe and Instituto de Cervantes there too. You just need to search for them depending on the language you need to be tested in. Many of these tests are available in the states. There are A.F. Goethe and Instituto de Cervantes there too. You just need to search for them depending on the language you need to be tested in.

]]> By: Tyeisha http://www.fluentin3months.com/language-diplomas-no-courses/comment-page-1/#comment-7167 Tyeisha Sat, 14 Aug 2010 01:06:00 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=2387#comment-7167 Are these tests available in the United States or do you recommend another similar test for U.S folks? Are these tests available in the United States or do you recommend another similar test for U.S folks?

]]> By: Kate http://www.fluentin3months.com/language-diplomas-no-courses/comment-page-1/#comment-6998 Kate Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:04:21 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=2387#comment-6998 I studied German for 2 years at Uni and then passed B1. Did pretty well in all sections except oral, where I barely scraped by.<br>Congratulations on passing most of the C2 after three months - that is an achievement of incredible proportions, and you are now officially my idol. I studied German for 2 years at Uni and then passed B1. Did pretty well in all sections except oral, where I barely scraped by.
Congratulations on passing most of the C2 after three months – that is an achievement of incredible proportions, and you are now officially my idol.

]]> By: aperkot http://www.fluentin3months.com/language-diplomas-no-courses/comment-page-1/#comment-6647 aperkot Fri, 09 Jul 2010 18:21:17 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=2387#comment-6647 Assessment tests are aimed at customers of language schools and are really only calibrated either in the A1-B1 or the B1-C1 ranges. Consequently, if you score 100%, they will tell you to take a C1 class firstly, so that you feel empowered by your good language skills, and secondly so they are not turning another customer away... Assessment tests are aimed at customers of language schools and are really only calibrated either in the A1-B1 or the B1-C1 ranges. Consequently, if you score 100%, they will tell you to take a C1 class firstly, so that you feel empowered by your good language skills, and secondly so they are not turning another customer away…

]]> By: Mission Reviews, July 2010 — The Sojourner's Passport http://www.fluentin3months.com/language-diplomas-no-courses/comment-page-1/#comment-6644 Mission Reviews, July 2010 — The Sojourner's Passport Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:18:57 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=2387#comment-6644 [...] It’s issued and recognised by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport of Spain. The CEFRL and DELE certificates provide evidence of skills acquired in various European languages fo.... I want to return to Spain on a regular basis in the future. Maybe start spending summers [...] [...] It’s issued and recognised by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport of Spain. The CEFRL and DELE certificates provide evidence of skills acquired in various European languages fo…. I want to return to Spain on a regular basis in the future. Maybe start spending summers [...]

]]> By: LaPingvino http://www.fluentin3months.com/language-diplomas-no-courses/comment-page-1/#comment-6584 LaPingvino Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:05:07 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=2387#comment-6584 I have done Esperanto C1 (as C2 is not available yet) and for sure even for Esperanto it's hard. It was a worthwhile experience though, and even while it's "only" Esperanto, it sure is a good fit for a CV :).<br><br>I am thinking about trying to study and sit the English language exams though, and I am pretty sure it will be hard work for me to get that one straight. What do you think should be my priority to pass English C2? I have done Esperanto C1 (as C2 is not available yet) and for sure even for Esperanto it's hard. It was a worthwhile experience though, and even while it's “only” Esperanto, it sure is a good fit for a CV :) .

I am thinking about trying to study and sit the English language exams though, and I am pretty sure it will be hard work for me to get that one straight. What do you think should be my priority to pass English C2?

]]> By: Eduardo Marques http://www.fluentin3months.com/language-diplomas-no-courses/comment-page-1/#comment-6572 Eduardo Marques Fri, 02 Jul 2010 22:27:49 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=2387#comment-6572 *following post, not former *following post, not former

]]> By: Claire http://www.fluentin3months.com/language-diplomas-no-courses/comment-page-1/#comment-6566 Claire Fri, 02 Jul 2010 19:02:47 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=2387#comment-6566 Great post!<br>I've only done the Spanish B1, but I've taught all levels of the Irish TEG exam. Think I'm going to start collecting now. I'm going to try and compile a list of exams in global languages. <br>Good luck on the 12th! I can't believe how fast you're getting results, I was waiting months for DELE. Great post!
I've only done the Spanish B1, but I've taught all levels of the Irish TEG exam. Think I'm going to start collecting now. I'm going to try and compile a list of exams in global languages.
Good luck on the 12th! I can't believe how fast you're getting results, I was waiting months for DELE.

]]> By: Chris http://www.fluentin3months.com/language-diplomas-no-courses/comment-page-1/#comment-6567 Chris Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:27:01 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=2387#comment-6567 I hope I'm not being too cheeky asking this (I probably am), but is it likely that there will be any audio for the foreign language translations? I recall a mention about a Bulgarian translation. Having the recording of the text would be a huge benefit for a language so scant in resources. If not, it'll still be a hugely helpful resource. Looking forward to it!<br><br>Chris I hope I'm not being too cheeky asking this (I probably am), but is it likely that there will be any audio for the foreign language translations? I recall a mention about a Bulgarian translation. Having the recording of the text would be a huge benefit for a language so scant in resources. If not, it'll still be a hugely helpful resource. Looking forward to it!

Chris

]]> By: Eduardo Marques http://www.fluentin3months.com/language-diplomas-no-courses/comment-page-1/#comment-6563 Eduardo Marques Fri, 02 Jul 2010 05:22:56 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=2387#comment-6563 Thanks a lot for this post, you really read my thoughts! I have been looking for these CEFRL exams for months to evaluate and testify my skills in French, English and Spanish -- German, maybe, in the future. I have never take lessons of French or extra classes of English and Spanish (all I "officially" know of these two last is from school, <i>ou seja</i>, almost nothing), so I'm a bit insecure.<br><br>Well that is not a reason to give up. I'll dive deep in books, radios and podcasts (you read my thoughts twice with the former post). Hope I haven't made many mistakes in English here. Thanks a lot for this post, you really read my thoughts! I have been looking for these CEFRL exams for months to evaluate and testify my skills in French, English and Spanish — German, maybe, in the future. I have never take lessons of French or extra classes of English and Spanish (all I “officially” know of these two last is from school, ou seja, almost nothing), so I'm a bit insecure.

Well that is not a reason to give up. I'll dive deep in books, radios and podcasts (you read my thoughts twice with the former post). Hope I haven't made many mistakes in English here.

]]> By: Cainntear http://www.fluentin3months.com/language-diplomas-no-courses/comment-page-1/#comment-6560 Cainntear Fri, 02 Jul 2010 01:17:23 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=2387#comment-6560 This is that much-fabled post that I agree with almost entirely.<br><br>These exams are useful and in many cases necessary, but they take a fairly abstract view to language.<br><br>I hated teaching my one exam-prep class, because I would rather have taught them the language and then crammed exam-skills in at the end. Instead I was forced to bore them with exam-skills and watch them make slow progress in mock tests and no progress in the language.<br><br>In fact, I wouldn't advise anyone to do anything less than a B2 exam -- possibly even not below C1.<br><br>Why? Because the exams at the lower levels get you into bad habits. You can get generally through the reading papers without actually "reading", but rather by analysing. You can only pass the higher levels by reading, because they don't give you enough time to analyse. The analysing habit can become a sticking point that blocks later progress. This is that much-fabled post that I agree with almost entirely.

These exams are useful and in many cases necessary, but they take a fairly abstract view to language.

I hated teaching my one exam-prep class, because I would rather have taught them the language and then crammed exam-skills in at the end. Instead I was forced to bore them with exam-skills and watch them make slow progress in mock tests and no progress in the language.

In fact, I wouldn't advise anyone to do anything less than a B2 exam — possibly even not below C1.

Why? Because the exams at the lower levels get you into bad habits. You can get generally through the reading papers without actually “reading”, but rather by analysing. You can only pass the higher levels by reading, because they don't give you enough time to analyse. The analysing habit can become a sticking point that blocks later progress.

]]> By: Cainntear http://www.fluentin3months.com/language-diplomas-no-courses/comment-page-1/#comment-6561 Cainntear Fri, 02 Jul 2010 01:08:35 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=2387#comment-6561 Very true, and every couple of years a newspaper proves that. Google News isn't giving any references sadly. Very true, and every couple of years a newspaper proves that. Google News isn't giving any references sadly.

]]> By: Steve http://www.fluentin3months.com/language-diplomas-no-courses/comment-page-1/#comment-6544 Steve Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:36:36 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=2387#comment-6544 I took and passed the Czech B2 exam and unfortunately there isn't a higher one. However I believe the Czech B2 is more respected then some other B2s purely because it is the highest. Speaking, writing, reading and listening are pretty easy in this exam (but you still have to study hard for them) but the grammar part tests the most complicated grammar and is more like maybe what a C1 or C2 grammar test would be in Czech.<br>Benny, you've inspired me to take the Spanish C2, although I'll be giving it more time than 3 months and I already speak to at least B2 level! I took and passed the Czech B2 exam and unfortunately there isn't a higher one. However I believe the Czech B2 is more respected then some other B2s purely because it is the highest. Speaking, writing, reading and listening are pretty easy in this exam (but you still have to study hard for them) but the grammar part tests the most complicated grammar and is more like maybe what a C1 or C2 grammar test would be in Czech.
Benny, you've inspired me to take the Spanish C2, although I'll be giving it more time than 3 months and I already speak to at least B2 level!

]]> By: Brian http://www.fluentin3months.com/language-diplomas-no-courses/comment-page-1/#comment-6543 Brian Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:31:11 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=2387#comment-6543 Hey Benny, <br><br>It was crazy meeting you randomly in Berlin. It's good to know you do exist :P <br><br>Best of luck with your results, ill be keeping an eye out. I hope your enjoying the good weather now that you can relax after all your hard work. <br><br>Kind regards<br>Brian Hey Benny,

It was crazy meeting you randomly in Berlin. It's good to know you do exist :P

Best of luck with your results, ill be keeping an eye out. I hope your enjoying the good weather now that you can relax after all your hard work.

Kind regards
Brian

]]> By: Margaret http://www.fluentin3months.com/language-diplomas-no-courses/comment-page-1/#comment-6542 Margaret Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:51:29 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=2387#comment-6542 One of the problems with Welsh classes is that once you get to a certain point, to continue to advanced levels, you have to start studying literature and dissecting poetry! Not surprisingly, this results in a huge drop out rate and only a certain type of person continuing to higher levels.<br><br>Thankfully, my tutor is busy devising classes that will focus on spoken fluency and that cover more complex constructions and more difficult topics without shifting into the literary form of the language.<br><br>Having said that, I'm beginning to think that it might not be a bad idea to take the Use of Welsh exam (GCSE level). For one thing, having a particular goal to aim for is not bad thing. One of the problems with Welsh classes is that once you get to a certain point, to continue to advanced levels, you have to start studying literature and dissecting poetry! Not surprisingly, this results in a huge drop out rate and only a certain type of person continuing to higher levels.

Thankfully, my tutor is busy devising classes that will focus on spoken fluency and that cover more complex constructions and more difficult topics without shifting into the literary form of the language.

Having said that, I'm beginning to think that it might not be a bad idea to take the Use of Welsh exam (GCSE level). For one thing, having a particular goal to aim for is not bad thing.

]]> By: FluentCzech http://www.fluentin3months.com/language-diplomas-no-courses/comment-page-1/#comment-6541 FluentCzech Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:56:57 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=2387#comment-6541 I believe in Czech the exam is only available up to B2, which is a pity because I would be interested in seeing C1 and C2 sample papers just to see how much hard work lies ahead for me. I believe in Czech the exam is only available up to B2, which is a pity because I would be interested in seeing C1 and C2 sample papers just to see how much hard work lies ahead for me.

]]> By: Benny the Irish polyglot http://www.fluentin3months.com/language-diplomas-no-courses/comment-page-1/#comment-6537 Benny the Irish polyglot Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:34:43 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=2387#comment-6537 If your level of Spanish is good then it won't take you long to learn the vosotros form - in many cases it is simply the tu form with an 'i' added. You won't have to use it yourself (ustedes is quite fine for the oral and written aspects) but it will be important to recognise it.<br><br>The DELE attempts to test international Spanish, with a preference towards Spain. In my aural exam I remember listening to a South American accent as part of one of the recordings. Since the exam tests formal Spanish, you will unlikely have to learn European Spanish slang and the like. If your level of Spanish is good then it won't take you long to learn the vosotros form – in many cases it is simply the tu form with an 'i' added. You won't have to use it yourself (ustedes is quite fine for the oral and written aspects) but it will be important to recognise it.

The DELE attempts to test international Spanish, with a preference towards Spain. In my aural exam I remember listening to a South American accent as part of one of the recordings. Since the exam tests formal Spanish, you will unlikely have to learn European Spanish slang and the like.

]]> By: Benny the Irish polyglot http://www.fluentin3months.com/language-diplomas-no-courses/comment-page-1/#comment-6538 Benny the Irish polyglot Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:31:03 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=2387#comment-6538 Thanks!! :D I hear they have the exam in Czech - but it really does involve a lot of work for a certificate that might not be so useful to people in many situations. No matter which way the results go, I think I'll take an exam break for a good while :) Thanks!! :D I hear they have the exam in Czech – but it really does involve a lot of work for a certificate that might not be so useful to people in many situations. No matter which way the results go, I think I'll take an exam break for a good while :)

]]> By: Benny the Irish polyglot http://www.fluentin3months.com/language-diplomas-no-courses/comment-page-1/#comment-6539 Benny the Irish polyglot Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:29:42 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=2387#comment-6539 How can you take the test and "only get" a C1? It doesn't work like that - you take individual tests already, B1, C2 or whatever and usually pass that particular grade with a particular mark. Did you sit the Cambridge exams mentioned? If you sat a test that assigned you the level of C1 I'm afraid it's not quite what I'm talking about here! How can you take the test and “only get” a C1? It doesn't work like that – you take individual tests already, B1, C2 or whatever and usually pass that particular grade with a particular mark. Did you sit the Cambridge exams mentioned? If you sat a test that assigned you the level of C1 I'm afraid it's not quite what I'm talking about here!

]]> By: Benny the Irish polyglot http://www.fluentin3months.com/language-diplomas-no-courses/comment-page-1/#comment-6540 Benny the Irish polyglot Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:27:52 +0000 http://www.fluentin3months.com/?p=2387#comment-6540 Great to see I'm not the only ALTE certificate collector :D<br>Agree with you that this is a good standard to go on. Universities can claim to teach you any level, but just packing your head full of literature isn't going to help you so much in the real world! Great to see I'm not the only ALTE certificate collector :D
Agree with you that this is a good standard to go on. Universities can claim to teach you any level, but just packing your head full of literature isn't going to help you so much in the real world!

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