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This: http://www.govtilr.org/skills/ILRscale1.htm http://www.govtilr.org/skills/ILRscale1.htm I would imagine.

by pja 12y ago

Swizec 12y ago
That was the least helpful page ever ... but thanks, it pointed me in the more helpful direction of Wikipedia. For those wondering, here is a list of what various ILR levels entail: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ILR_scale http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ILR_scale Although I find the scale rather odd. When it comes to English, you could easily classify me as ILR 5[1], but on account of my heavy accent and the fact that I sometimes grope for words[2] you could put me in ILR 3. Can anyone explain in more detail how this works? Is it subjective on part of whomever is doing the evaluation?[3] [1] I've published books in English and until people hear my accent they normally mistake me for a native speaker. I also have a terribly tendency to fix native speakers' grammar because it bothers me too much. [2] I'm used to using two languages at once (Slovenian and English) so when I'm put in a context where I can only use one, I start groping for words. This happens both in English and in my native Slovenian. [3] I remember doing IELTS tests a few years ago and I got marked down on listening comprehension and speaking fluency because the lady expected me to diss GMO's and I disagreed with her opinion and told her the various benefits they bring. She thought I didn't understand what she was saying, so I had to fake a different opinion to satisfy her expectations.
- mac01021 12y ago
  Out of curiosity, any plans to develop your American accent (I assume you're in the USA)? I'm not saying you don't count as fluent unless you have a perfect accent. But I am surprised how few foreigners, having mastered English grammar and vocabulary, don't take that final step (leaving none the wiser about their foreign origin).
  - Swizec 12y ago
    I've spent a lot of time in the US recently and it's normalised my accent a lot. It's become undefinable. People back home tell me I don't sound like them when I speak, but that I don't sound quite American either. Americans make fun of how I pronounce certain words (which actually helps a lot in normalising my accent), but they can't place the accent either. Nobody guesses that I'm slavic, a lot of people ask if I'm Brazilian or from some random European country. A large part of the confusion probably stems from the fact I use colloquialisms and even colloquial speech patterns, like, correctly. With prolonged stays in the US my accent is going to normalise further, but I think that getting completely rid of it would require some sort of accent coach. So far the only motivation for doing so is that being told "Wow your English is so good!" is getting annoying. I was proud when people told me that ten years ago, but it feels silly now. But a big benefit of maintaining my foreigner status is the freedom it affords me. I can use British slang, Aussie slang, East coast slang, West coast slang, even Canadian slang and nobody minds or finds it odd. Whereas if I sounded like somebody who grew up in California and used a British turn of phrase, it would sound hella weird. And, obviously, I feel a certain level of smugness when I use British words that Americans don't understand because then I get to call them plebes and mock them with my larger vocabulary. (Americans get really upset when a foreigner is better at something than they are, it's funny)

This: http://www.govtilr.org/skills/ILRscale1.htm http://www.govtilr.org/skills/ILRscale1.htm I would imagine.

by pja 12y ago

This: http://www.govtilr.org/skills/ILRscale1.htm http://www.govtilr.org/skills/ILRscale1.htm I would imagine.

That was the least helpful page ever ... but thanks, it pointed me in the more helpful direction of Wikipedia. For those wondering, here is a list of what various ILR levels entail: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ILR_scale http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ILR_scale Although I find the scale rather odd. When it comes to English, you could easily classify me as ILR 5[1], but on account of my heavy accent and the fact that I sometimes grope for words[2] you could put me in ILR 3. Can anyone explain in more detail how this works? Is it subjective on part of whomever is doing the evaluation?[3] [1] I've published books in English and until people hear my accent they normally mistake me for a native speaker. I also have a terribly tendency to fix native speakers' grammar because it bothers me too much. [2] I'm used to using two languages at once (Slovenian and English) so when I'm put in a context where I can only use one, I start groping for words. This happens both in English and in my native Slovenian. [3] I remember doing IELTS tests a few years ago and I got marked down on listening comprehension and speaking fluency because the lady expected me to diss GMO's and I disagreed with her opinion and told her the various benefits they bring. She thought I didn't understand what she was saying, so I had to fake a different opinion to satisfy her expectations.

mac01021 12y ago
Out of curiosity, any plans to develop your American accent (I assume you're in the USA)? I'm not saying you don't count as fluent unless you have a perfect accent. But I am surprised how few foreigners, having mastered English grammar and vocabulary, don't take that final step (leaving none the wiser about their foreign origin).
- Swizec 12y ago
  I've spent a lot of time in the US recently and it's normalised my accent a lot. It's become undefinable. People back home tell me I don't sound like them when I speak, but that I don't sound quite American either. Americans make fun of how I pronounce certain words (which actually helps a lot in normalising my accent), but they can't place the accent either. Nobody guesses that I'm slavic, a lot of people ask if I'm Brazilian or from some random European country. A large part of the confusion probably stems from the fact I use colloquialisms and even colloquial speech patterns, like, correctly. With prolonged stays in the US my accent is going to normalise further, but I think that getting completely rid of it would require some sort of accent coach. So far the only motivation for doing so is that being told "Wow your English is so good!" is getting annoying. I was proud when people told me that ten years ago, but it feels silly now. But a big benefit of maintaining my foreigner status is the freedom it affords me. I can use British slang, Aussie slang, East coast slang, West coast slang, even Canadian slang and nobody minds or finds it odd. Whereas if I sounded like somebody who grew up in California and used a British turn of phrase, it would sound hella weird. And, obviously, I feel a certain level of smugness when I use British words that Americans don't understand because then I get to call them plebes and mock them with my larger vocabulary. (Americans get really upset when a foreigner is better at something than they are, it's funny)