To estimate your level of proficiency, start at the lowest level and respond to each statement. For each statement, respond “yes” or “no.”  If a statement describes your ability only some of the time, or only in some contexts, you should answer “no.” If you answer “yes” to every statement in the level, your ability is probably at least at that level. Move on to the descriptions at the next level.  If you answer “no” to one or more statements, then you are likely not at that level.

If you answer “yes” to all the statements at one level, and have a majority of “yes” answers at the next higher level, then you may be at a “plus” level.  For example, if you answer “yes” to all the statements at Level 1, but have a mixture of responses at Level 2 (almost all “yes” answers), your self-assessed ability may be at Level 1+.

SELF-ASSESSMENT OF LISTENING PROFICIENCY

Yes

No

L1

In everyday conversation with people speaking the standard dialect, I can understand speech that is slow and clear.
I can understand basic directions and instructions, such as how to get to a local store.
I can understand questions and answers about basic survival needs, such as meals, lodging, transportation and time.
I can understand routine questions about my job, my immediate family and myself.
I can understand simple statements about a person’s background and occupation.
If I cannot understand what a speaker tells me, I can understand the statement after it has been repeated or rephrased slowly and clearly.

 

 

L2

When people are speaking the standard dialect at a normal rate, I can understand their speech when it is spoken with some repetition and rephrasing, can understand speech about everyday topics, for example common personal and family news, well-known current events, and routine situations at work.
I can understand spoken descriptions of different places, for instance the geography of a country or location that is familiar.
I can understand uncomplicated stories about current, past and future events.
I can understand at least some details from announcements made over a loudspeaker.
I can usually understand the main idea and basic facts from a short news report on the radio or television.

 

 

L3

I can accurately follow all conversations among native speakers who are speaking at a normal rate of speech.
I rarely, if ever, have to ask speakers to paraphrase or explain what they have said.
I can correctly infer meanings that are not directly stated.
I can understand discussions of ideas and concepts, including proposals and speculation.
I can understand someone’s opinion and the points used to support the opinion.
I can often, if not always, detect the attitudes and feelings of a speaker.
I can understand speech in a professional setting concerning my field of expertise or some technical subjects, such as a lecture or a panel discussion.

 

 

L4

I can understand almost all forms and styles of speech pertinent to professional needs.
I can fully understand all speech that involves the use of extensive and precise vocabulary, including subtle distinctions between word choices.
I can follow arguments with unpredictable presentation, for example, in informal and formal speeches covering editorial and literary material.
I can understand language adjusted for different audiences and for different purposes.
I can readily and accurately infer meanings and implications.
I am able to understand the main ideas of speech in some non-standard dialects.
I can fully understand spoken interactions among native speakers at public gatherings, such as meetings, seminars, task groups or conferences.
I can fully understand a speech, oral report or briefing given to a group of native speakers concerning any topic directed to a general audience.

 

 

L5

My comprehension is fully equivalent to that of a well-educated native listener.
I can fully understand all forms and styles of speech.  This includes slang, jokes and puns.
I can understand speech even when it is distorted by other noise.
I can fully understand regional dialects, highly colloquial and idiomatic language.