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Al elegir un curso de idiomas, es importante saber tu nivel actual. Un curso demasiado fácil puede resultar aburrido y frustrante, y probablemente no mejorarás mucho. Sin embargo, un curso demasiado exigente puede afectar tu confianza, ser desmotivador y estresante. En ambos casos, es poco probable que logres los resultados que esperas.
Unirte al nivel correcto te ayudará a progresar con confianza a un ritmo constante mientras construyes una base sólida.
Existen varias herramientas online para comprobar tu nivel, pero mis favoritas son las pruebas de nivel de Cambridge. Son rápidos, fáciles de usar y ofrecen resultados instantáneos.
El MCER, o Marco Común Europeo de Referencia para las Lenguas, es un estándar internacional que describe y evalúa el dominio de una lengua. Proporciona una base común para la enseñanza, el aprendizaje y la evaluación de idiomas en diferentes idiomas y países.
En muchas academias de idiomas, los niveles A1 y A2 de inglés se denominan «elementary or beginner». El A2 también se conoce como «pre-intermediate».
En inglés, los niveles B1 y B2 se conocen generalmente como “intermediate” & “upper-intermediate”.
Los niveles C1 y C2 también se denominan “advanced” & “proficiency”.
Los exámenes de inglés de Cambridge son reconocidos a nivel mundial, a continuación puedes ver cómo algunos de sus exámenes más populares se relacionan con la escala MCER (CEFR).
Los exámenes de Cambridge en la escala MCER (CEFR):
B1 = PET (Preliminary)
B2 = FCE (First Certificate)
C1 = CAE (Cambridge Advanced Exam)
C2 = CPE (Cambridge Proficiency Exam)
Además de los exámenes de Cambridge, los exámenes IELTS y TOEFL también son muy populares y reconocidos en todo el mundo. Tanto IELTS como TOEFL son pruebas de competencia en inglés ampliamente aceptadas para fines académicos y de inmigración. Una de las ventajas de estas pruebas es que recibes una calificación basada en tu nivel en lugar de un resultado de aprobado o reprobado.
Este examen es más popular en países como el Reino Unido, Australia, Canadá y Nueva Zelanda, para gestiones de inmigración y para las admisiones universitarias. Para obtener más información, visita el sitio web oficial de IELTS .
Este examen es más popular en los Estados Unidos. Para más información, visita el sitio web oficial de TOEFL.
When choosing a language course, it’s important to know your current level. A course that is too easy may be boring and frustrating and you probably won’t improve very much. However, a course that is too challenging, may knock your confidence and be demotivating and stressful. In both instances, you are unlikely to achieve the results you’re hoping for.
Joining the right level will help you confidently progress at steady pace whilst building on a solid foundation.
There are various online tools to check your level, however my favourites are the Cambridge Level Tests. They are quick, easy to use, and give instant results.
The CEFR, or Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, is an international standard that describes and evaluates language proficiency. It provides a common basis for language teaching, learning, and assessment across different languages and countries.
In many language academies, levels A1 & A2 may be called “elementary or beginner”. A2 may also sometimes be referred to as “pre-intermediate” level.
Levels B1 & B2 are generally known as “intermediate” & “upper-intermediate”.
Levels C1 & C2 are also referred to as “advanced” & “proficiency”.
The Cambridge English Exams recognised globally, below you can see how some of their most popular exams relate to the CEFR scale.
Cambridge Exams on the CEFR Scale:
B1 = PET (Preliminary)
B2 = FCE (First Certificate)
C1 = CAE (Cambridge Advanced Exam)
C2 = CPE (Cambridge Proficiency Exam)
As well as the Cambridge English Exams, the IELTS & TOEFL exams are also very popular and recognised around the world. IELTS and TOEFL are both English language proficiency tests widely accepted for academic and immigration purposes. One of the advantages of these tests is that you receive a grade based on your level rather than a result that is a pass or fail.
This exam is generally more popular in countries such as the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand for immigration purposes and university admissions. For more information, visit the official IELTS website.
This exam is generally more popular in the USA. For more information, visit the official TOEFL website.
An expression that we use to emphasize what we’re saying or our opinion. Similar expressions: I must admit, I have to say.
For example, I must say, I was a little bit sceptical at first because the idea is so simple, but…
A phrasal verb that can have different meanings depending on the context.
We often use it to describe when someone becomes involved or entangled in a situation, often by accident or without intending to. Especially if the situation is negative, for example if it is difficult, complicated, confusing, scandalous, or dangerous.
We can also be caught up in a positive situation or moment, for example, when we are influenced by the atmosphere or circumstances.
It can also mean to be so focussed on something that you lose awareness of other things.
For example, This book is great for anyone who feels like maybe they are caught up in other people’s drama a little bit too much.
A phrasal verb that can mean different things depending on the context.
In this case, it means to disappoint someone or fail to support/help them in the way they had hoped or expected.
For example, If you’re worried about letting someone down.
This is a general expression referring to interacting with people, manage relationships, or handle situations involving others.
A related expression is to to deal with something, referring to how we manage (or handle) a situation.
For example, This book has some useful strategies for dealing with manipulative personalities.
An expression that refers to the attitudes, behaviour, and rules in an relationship. Defining your expectations from a relationship, what attitudes and behaviour you will and won’t accept. How you treat yourself and how you expect to be treated by others.
Related expressions: to set boundaries.
For example, This book talks about how you shouldn’t give your power away to other people. How you should respect them but also keep your boundaries.
To highly recommend (something / someone)
We often use the expression to highly recommed something/someone to express a strong endorsement or positive opinion. The combination of words is a typical “collocation” (words that are often used together).
For example, I highly recommend reading this book // I highly recommend this book.
An expression that means completely new. This is also an example of a collocation.
For example, I wish I had read it years ago, but it is brand new!
Knowledge-based work, refers to activities primarily relying on cognitive skills, expertise, and information processing rather than physical labour.
Knowledge workers are people whose main asset is their knowledge and the ability to apply it to solve problems, create new information, and contribute to organizational goals.
For example, this book is particularly interesting if you are a knowledge-based worker.
An expression that refers to a skill or practice that was once common or valued but has become rare or uncommon due to changing times, technology, or cultural shifts.
It often implies a sense of nostalgia for a time when such skills were more prevalent and may be associated with a decline in quality or depth of experience.
For example, The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout
Burnout is a state of complete mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion.
A phrasal verb meaning to disconnect, relax, or disengage
To recharge your batteries
An expression meaning to energise yourself, usually by resting and relaxing in order to regain energy and strength
An expression used to describe being overwhelmed or consumed by a large amount or number of something, often to the point of feeling stressed or unable to cope.
For example, so, for anyone that is drowning in too many projects, this is the book for you!
Here in Spain, summer is well and truly here! And depending on the industry you work in, for many of us, that means a welcome break from work – at least for a week or two.
For anyone who enjoys reading, the summer holidays are the perfect time to catch up on some reading whilst relaxing on the beach, lounging by the pool, or finding somewhere cool and shady to hide from the sun.
If you are a non-native English speaker, reading is not only a very pleasurable way to spend some leisure time, but also an excellent opportunity to improve your language skills.
Reading is a fantastic way to develop your comprehension skills, broaden your vocabulary by learning new words and expressions, and a chance to improve your grammar effortlessly as you repeatedly read a variety of grammatical structures.
However, in order to really enjoy the experience and feel like you’re improving, it’s very important to choose the right book. On the one hand, trying to read a book that is too challenging can be frustrating and demotivating, but on the other hand, a book that is too easy, may be boring.
In the video above, I explain why I think non-fiction books are generally a better option for non-native English speakers than fiction. And in the following video blogs, I share a selection of book recommendations for adults and teenagers that cover a range of interesting topics.
Nearly all of the books I recommend are also available as audiobooks on many Apps. Personally, I love listening to audiobooks at the gym, in the car, or when I’m cleaning, or going for a walk. Then, if I really like the book I’ve listened to, I usually buy them as a paperback or hardcover so I have a physical copy that I can read again.
Listening to podcasts are also another great way to practice English and in the last video, I share a recommendation for a fascinating podcast that I listen to regularly called “Feel Better, Live More” by Dr. Rangan Chatterjee.
If you have any great recommendations for books, audiobooks, or podcasts that you’d like to recommend, let me know!
Leave a comment below or Send me a message via the contact page – I’d love to hear from you.
An expression that means completely / thoroughly.
For example, the summer is well and truly here!
An expression that means to avoid or stay away from
For example, I would recommend steering clear of novels
An expression that means immediately / without delay or fuss.
We usually use this when we are speaking rather than writing, and it is often used during a speech or presentation as a transitional phrase to introducing someone or something.
For example, So, without further ado, I’m going to share some recommendations with you.
Hi everyone,
As everyone has so many plans during the summer, I’m only offering private classes for individuals and groups, rather than organised classes or courses.
Therefore, if you’d like to take advantage of your summer holidays to practice and improve your English, get in touch to book a session!
Hola a todos,
Como todos tenemos tantos planes durante el verano, solo ofrezco clases particulares para individuos y grupos, en lugar de clases o cursos organizados.
Por lo tanto, si quieres aprovechar tus vacaciones de verano para practicar y mejorar tu inglés, ¡contáctame para reservar una sesión!
English Conversation Coach 