1 C2 in English – can this level be tested? Welcome! Suzanne Vetter-MCaw, ELTAF Members Day,

2 C2 in English – can this level be tested? The CEFR and level C2 Testing C2 Video examples Discussion Content

3 How do we define a native speaker of English? What do we expect from someone who speaks English at CEFR C2 level?

4 The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR) Published by the Council of Europe in 2001 Translated into 30 languages Describes language use on six levels A1 to C2 Reaching a communicative goal is more important than grammatical correctness

5 The 6 CEF Levels C2 C1Proficient User B2 B1Independent User A2 A1Basic User

6 CEFR Global Scale C2 Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations C1 Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices

7 CEFR Global Scale C2 Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations C1 Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices

8 CEFR Statements: Pairwork: Differences between C1 and C2

9 CEFR C2 At this level, the learner is approaching the linguistic competence of an educated native speaker, and is able to use the language in a range of culturally appropriate ways... Success in examinations at this level may be seen as proof that the learner is able to cope with high level academic work. Such examinations frequently have some cultural or academic content..

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13 A low C2 candidate speaks fluently and naturally without using intellectual language. A high C2 candidate has complete fluency, demonstrates use of academic and sophisticated language and quite naturally expresses abstract thoughts.

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15 In the CEFR, Addressing audiences the descriptor for C2 states: Can handle difficult and even hostile questioning. The question and answer session bears this in mind when the examiners jump from one aspect to another and expect the candidate to answer very different questions.

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18 Video Examples

19 Native speakers of English are people whose first language is English. They learned English when they were children. They think in English. They use it naturally.

20 C2 speakers of English are people who think in English and use English naturally.

21 Your comments!