UCD Applied Language Centre

Lárionad na dTeangacha Feidhmeacha UCD

Know your language level!

ALC language modules are offered at six different levels of proficiency, from Stage 1 (absolute beginners) to Stage 6 (advanced). Each one of these broadly corresponds to the CEFR* levels for proficiency in language learning. If you are not a beginner, you have to choose a module at a level which best matches your language skills.

Your current level of proficiency is the result of many different experiences you have had in learning that language. You have probably studied the language in school or university and have taken one or more examinations. But you may also have spent time in countries where the language is spoken, attended special courses, or had other opportunities to use the language at work or with friends and family. All these factors, as well as your wider experience of learning other languages, are relevant in helping you assess which level best matches yours.

ALC staff will offer you every assistance to select a language at a level suited to you. We will do this at Languages@ALC Advisory Meetings. There will also be a help desk in the ALC (1st floor Daedalus Building).

In order to make a preliminary assessment of your level, you should refer to the following two documents:

	CEFR* Self-Assessment Grid allows you to assess how well you know and can use a language in terms of 5 skills: listening, reading, writing, spoken production and interaction
	The Language Pre-Requisites Table which allows you compare your estimate of your level with results achieved in State Examinations (or their equivalents).

Note: These are merely a guide to determine your language level and are in no way applications for places on courses.

If interested, please provide us with your contact information and

Your language learning profile (based on CEFR* levels)
Information about exams you have taken or courses followed
Your choice of language and level (Fill in a separate Language Level Form for each language you may be interested in studying).

Before and at the start of the semester, ALC staff will guide you and check that you have selected a module level which is most suited to you. All decisions on your choice of language and level must be made by the second week of the semester as this is a University requirement.

	CEFR* Self-Assessment Grid (for Languages)
CEFR - Common European Framework of Reference*

For a full list of ALC language electives offered at different levels, click here.

Pre-Requisites Table

ALC Stages	CEFR or Equivalent	State Examination Equivalents	Language Electives
1	Ab initio (Beginners). This is for absolute beginners, with no prior experience of learning the language		Arabic, Chinese, Czech, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Russian, Spanish
2	CEFR A1 ALC Stage 1	1-2 years of second-level study.	Chinese, Czech, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish
3	CEFR A2 ALC Stage 2 Other approved equivalents	Junior Certificate Grade D or Higher in French, German, Spanish, Italian Leaving Certificate in Japanese	Chinese, Czech, French, German, Italian, Japanese Spanish
4	CEFR B1 ALC Stage 3 Other approved equivalents	Leaving Certificate 40-60 points Ordinary: B2, Higher: D3	English, French, German, Spanish
5	CEFR B1+ ALC Stage 4 Other approved equivalents (For English only).	Leaving Certificate 65-100 points Higher: C2 Leaving Certificate for Spanish	English, French, German, Spanish
6	CEFR B2 & interview	N/A	English