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B1 is actually pretty strict, Spain only requires an A2 even for citizenship (after ten years of being a resident). In a parallel universe, imagine needing to

B1 is actually pretty strict, Spain only requires an A2 even for citizenship (after ten years of being a resident). In a parallel universe, imagine needing to learn B1 Turkish as a German to become a turkish resident. Pretty daunting.

wink 4y ago
The funny thing about that is most people who never did a real language test have no idea what these categories even mean. I only learned languages in high school and I never moved to another country. A coworker of mine once tried to explain it to me, but his German and English was pretty much flawless so that didn't help telling me where he (may have) struggled in the past.
- treis 4y ago
  For anyone else curious: B1 Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. A2: Can 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). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
  - PaulDavisThe1st 4y ago
    I wish I could admit to being able to tell a significant difference between those two lists.
    - muffinman26 4y ago
      A little bit late to the conversation, but my way of looking at the lists is: A2 - Can survive in the country (get where you need to go, order food, etc.) but will have a lot of trouble in casual conversation. B2 - Conversationally fluent. In addition to the requirements of A2, can have talk with strangers about daily life as long as they want to chat. Will still be completely lost in technical conversations. C1 - In addition to B2, can take university classes in the language. Some of the definitions of C2 I've seen are positively absurd. Someone at C2 level is supposed to be able to talk in technical detail about any topic. I've seen standards so high that I don't even think I would qualify as C2 level in my native language in my lifetime.
    - joseda-hg 4y ago
      From what I gather C2 - Borderline Native B2 - A fluent, but not overly practiced level, An example that comes to mind, First Generation migrant that is usually surrounded by people that speak it's native language, they can clearly communicate, but might slip on word order or particularly complex information A2 - Think about the level of someone that paid attention in 2nd language classes, simple sentences, describing yourself and your immediate enviroment

wink 4y ago

The funny thing about that is most people who never did a real language test have no idea what these categories even mean. I only learned languages in high school and I never moved to another country. A coworker of mine once tried to explain it to me, but his German and English was pretty much flawless so that didn't help telling me where he (may have) struggled in the past.

treis 4y ago
For anyone else curious: B1 Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. A2: Can 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). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
- PaulDavisThe1st 4y ago
  I wish I could admit to being able to tell a significant difference between those two lists.
  - muffinman26 4y ago
    A little bit late to the conversation, but my way of looking at the lists is: A2 - Can survive in the country (get where you need to go, order food, etc.) but will have a lot of trouble in casual conversation. B2 - Conversationally fluent. In addition to the requirements of A2, can have talk with strangers about daily life as long as they want to chat. Will still be completely lost in technical conversations. C1 - In addition to B2, can take university classes in the language. Some of the definitions of C2 I've seen are positively absurd. Someone at C2 level is supposed to be able to talk in technical detail about any topic. I've seen standards so high that I don't even think I would qualify as C2 level in my native language in my lifetime.
  - joseda-hg 4y ago
    From what I gather C2 - Borderline Native B2 - A fluent, but not overly practiced level, An example that comes to mind, First Generation migrant that is usually surrounded by people that speak it's native language, they can clearly communicate, but might slip on word order or particularly complex information A2 - Think about the level of someone that paid attention in 2nd language classes, simple sentences, describing yourself and your immediate enviroment