First Year Language 1B (CEFR: B1+)

Descriptors providing an indication of the passive and productive abilities of students passing First Year Language 1B.

‘Can do’ statements

The following descriptors provide an indication of the passive and productive abilities of students passing this course.

Students passing at grade: Will meet these criteria:
A almost all of the time
B most of the time
C regularly
D some of the time

Listening Comprehension

  • Understand straightforward information about everyday, study- or work-related topics, identifying both general messages and specific details, provided people speak clearly in a familiar accent.
  • Generally follow the main points of extended discussion, if people talk clearly.
  • Follow a lecture or talk, if the subject matter is familiar and the presentation clearly structured.

Reading  Comprehension

  • Understand the main points in straightforward texts on subjects of personal or professional interest.
  • Look quickly through simple, factual texts in magazines, brochures or on a website, and identify information that might be of practical use.
  • Identify the main conclusions in texts which clearly argue a point of view.
  • Read simplified versions of novels, plus stories with a clear structure, with little use of a dictionary.

Spoken

  • Start a conversation on familiar topics, talk relatively freely, and help keep the conversation going without help by expressing and responding to suggestions, opinions, attitudes, advice, feelings, etc.
  • Express personal opinions on abstract topics like films and music, and ask other people what they think.
  • Develop an argument well enough to be followed without difficulty most of the time.
  • Summarise non-routine information on familiar subjects from various sources and present it to others, answering clear questions.

Written

  • Write about a variety of familiar topics, comparing and contrasting different opinions.
  • Write a detailed description of an experience, dream or imaginary event, including feelings and reactions.
  • Commands a sufficient range of language to describe unusual and predictable situations and to express personal thoughts on abstract or cultural as well as everyday topics (such as music, films).
  • Write standard formal letters relating to his/her field of study or work, as well as personal e-mails and letters describing experiences and feelings.

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