Intermediate (S 1): Survival Proficiency speaking

This is the minimum level if you are going to use the language on a regular basis. If you plan regular visits to a country or area where a language is spoken, you need to use the language mostly to get around, to ask directions, to shop, and to get basic food and services, this level will probably do. At this level you would probably feel pretty comfortable as a tourist. You will speak hesitantly at times, will get some grammatical constructions mixed up, or will find yourself wanting to say things you do not know how to say.

If you want to make significant relationships with speakers of the language or need to use the language regularly in your work, you should aim higher. You probably cannot keep up a conversation with a native speaker for very long, especially on a complicated or abstract topic. People who are not used to foreigners might find you hard to understand.

• What you can say at Intermediate level
• ACTFL guidelines: Speaking--Intermediate

• Generic module: Intermediate (S 1): Survival Proficiency speaking
• In overview module: Guidelines for setting speaking goals
• In overview module: Guidelines for setting proficiency goals
• In modular book: Managing Your Language Learning Program, by Carol J. Orwig
• In bookshelf: Language Learning

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 3.5, published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 1999. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 2 September 1998

© 1999 SIL International