This is a summary of how proficiency is measured with different kinds of test and their characteristics.

1. 1
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Preparing for a successful
certification
The Common European Framework of
Reference for Languages
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2. 2
What is the CEFR?
 It is a guide for the design of language
programs, textbooks, tests, and other
language-related materials.
 It describes in a detailed way what learners
need to learn in order to use the language for
communication and the knowledge and skills
they must develop to perform effectively.
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The framework answers 2 main
questions
• What knowledge, skills, and
attitudes are necessary to
become proficient in a
language?
• What are the different
levels of language
proficiency?
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3. 3
1) What is Communicative
Competence or ‘Proficiency’
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Communicative
Competence
Savoir
faire
Savoir
Linguistic
competence
Pragmatic
Competence
Strategic
Competence
Phonological
Lexical
Grammatical
Functional
Discourse
Sociolinguistic
Intercultural
Communication
Learning
Savoir
être
Savoir
apprendre
•Genre
•Cohesion
•Coherence
•Dialect (social, domain)
•Register (context, intrl)
•Planning
•Compensating
•Monitoring and repair
•Planning
•Executing
•Evaluating
•Sensitivity
•Openness
•Range
•Accuracy
•Fluency (suprasegmentals)
•Accuracy (segmentals)
•Sociopragmatic
•Pragmalinguistic
•Morphology
•Syntax
CONSTRUCT OF COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE (Based on the CEFR)
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4. 4
Phonological Competence
Distinction and production of the sounds
and the suprasegmental patterns of the
language to speak in an accurate and
fluent way.
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Lexical Competence
 Knowledge of the vocabulary related
to different communicative situations.
 Appropriate use of this vocabulary in
a communicative situation either orally
or in writing.
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5. 5
Grammatical Competence
 Knowledge of the morpho-syntactic
patterns necessary to express various
communicative functions.
 Accurate and appropriate use of such
patterns either orally or in writing.
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Pragmatic Competence
 Performance of the communicative
functions in an appropriate way according
to the context and the interlocutor.
 Effective management of linguistic
resources to achieve communicative
intentions.
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6. 6
Discourse competence
 Ability to produce the types of oral or written
discourse corresponding to the level:
Communicative intentions, rhetorical structure and
appropriate register.
 Mastery of mechanisms for achieving cohesion and
coherence in such discourse types.
 Appropriate strategies for comprehending and
producing such discourse types.
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Intercultural Competence
The ability to understand behavior from the standpoint
of the members of a culture and to behave and talk in
a way that would be understood by them in the
intended way. It involves understanding all aspects of
a culture, but particularly the social structure, the
values and beliefs of the people, and the way things
are assumed to be done and said.
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7. 7
Strategic Competence
Management of communication and
learning (strategies): Cognitive, meta-
cognitive and socio-affective ways for
planning, executing, monitoring and
evaluating.
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2) What are the Levels of Proficiency?
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8. 8
CEFR
Levels
A
Basic user
A1
Breakthrough
A2
Waystage
B
Independent
user
B1
Threshold
B2
Vantage
C
Proficient
user
C1
Efective
Operational
Proficiency
C2
Mastery
Common European Framework
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B2 (Vantage): Listening
 Understanding extended speech and
lectures and follow even complex lines
of argument provided the topic is
reasonably familiar.
 Understanding most TV news, current
affair programs, and the majority of
films in standard dialect.
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9. 9
B2 (Vantage) Reading
 Reading articles and reports concerned
with contemporary problems in which
the writers adopt particular attitudes or
viewpoints.
 Understanding contemporary prose.
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B2 (Vantage) Spoken Interaction
 Interacting with a degree of fluency and
spontaneity that makes regular
interaction with native speakers quite
possible.
 Taking an active part in discussion in
familiar topics and contexts, accounting
for and sustaining one’s views.
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10. 10
B2 (Vantage) Spoken Production
 Presenting clear, detailed descriptions
on a wide range of subjects related to
one’s field of interest.
 Explaining a viewpoint on a topical
issue giving the advantages or
disadvantages of various options.
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B2 (Vantage) Writing
 Writing clear, detailed text on a wide range
of subjects related to one’s field of interest.
 Writing essays or reports, passing on
information or giving reasons in support of
or against a particular point of view.
 Writing letters highlighting the personal
significance of events and experiences.
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11. 11
What is the B2 (Vantage) Level?
 B2: Proficiency of a NS after completing
high school studies.
 The level you would have in Spanish if you
took a certification exam.
 The level the average native speaker of the
language has. C1 and C1 correspond to a
highly educated speaker (MA or PhD).
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How difficult is it to attain the B2
level?
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12. 12
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CENNI Reference Levels
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CENNI Reference Levels
5 lenguas
meta
5 lenguas
Meta
+
8 content
courses
in English
At the
end of the
program

13. 13
Why choosing B2 First?
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What’s the Best Test? Qualities of Language Tests
Test
Usefulness
Reliability
Impact
Interactive
ness
Authenticity
Practicality
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The score of the test closely reflects
real proficiency
The scores of the
test test are
consistent (they
do not vary)
The test causes a
positive effect on
people and
institutions
The test measures more
than just linguistic
knowledge
The test tasks and
content resemble
real language use
The test is easy to
take and administer.
It is not very
expensive.

14. 14
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ITP
Junior
If I only want to have my level
diagnosed
$ 675.00 - $1,369.00
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15. 15
If I only want to obtain my Diploma
ITP
$ 940.00
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If I want to get a Scholarship to the
USA or the UK
$ 5,000.00
$ 4,287.00
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16. 16
If I want a permanent international
certification
First (B2): $4,450
Prof (C2): $4,950
ISE II (B2) $4,132
ISE IV (C2): $5,300
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17. 17
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Cambridge English Scale
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Overview of B2 First
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18. 18
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B2 First Structure and Length
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 Total: 3.29 horas
 4 Sections:
1. Reading and Use of English (1h. 15 min.)
2. Writing (1h. 20 min.)
3. Listening (40 min.)
4. Speaking (14 min.)