B1 (ALTE Level Two)

Examinations provided by ALTE members at Level B1 are influenced by the Council of Europe's Threshold 90 specification. At this level users should be able to cope linguistically in a range of everyday situations which require a largely predictable use of language. Much of what learners at this level can do involves a better understanding of the types of texts from which Waystage users can derive only the most basic points of information. Understanding at Level B1 differs in that it goes beyond merely being able to pick out facts and may involve opinions, attitudes, moods and wishes.

Several of the examinations provided by members of ALTE at Level B2 are used as measures of language ability for official or institutional purposes, such as entry to courses of study and as part of degree courses.

Productive Skills

Speaking
In social and travel contexts, users at this level can buy goods in counter service shops, and order a meal in a restaurant, asking questions about the dishes on the menu and the services (such as use of credit cards) available. They can book a hotel room over the phone, and deal with most situations likely to arise while staying in a hotel. They can deal with a small number of routine situations in a bank, and ask questions about post office services. They can make a medical appointment over the phone, and give a simple explanation of a problem to a doctor, dentist or pharmacist. As tourists, they can get standard information from a Tourist Information office, and understand the main points of a guided tour, asking some simple questions for further information.

In the workplace, they can exchange opinions with colleagues as long as the topic is predictable, pass on messages and offer advice to clients within their own area of expertise.

If studying, they can ask simple questions, for example, for clarification, and take a limited part in a seminar or tutorial.

Writing
In social and travel contexts, users at this level can write short notes and messages and simple personal letters of a narrative or descriptive type, such as thank-you letters and post cards. In the workplace, they can write a short note of request and record a routine order. They can make notes during a meeting for their own purposes, and write a straightforward routine letter, although this will need to be checked by a colleague.

If studying, they can write down some information at a lecture, provided extra time is given for this. They can take notes from written sources, though these may well contain inaccuracies. They can write a simple narrative, but not an academic essay.

Receptive Skills

Reading
In social and travel contexts, Threshold users can understand most of the language on an ordinary menu, routine letters and forms, adverts and brochures related to hotels or other forms of accommodation. They can understand most labels on everyday medical and food products, and follow simple instructions for use of medicines and cooking instructions found on food packaging. As a general point, they can distinguish between personal and promotional mail from institutions such as banks, and get the general meaning of simple articles in newspapers or leaflets produced by post offices and banks.

In the workplace, they can read and act on standard letters which fall within their own work area. If given enough time, they can understand a report on a familiar topic. Instructions and product descriptions are also within the range of understanding at this level, provided that the language is simple and the subject matter predictable. If studying, reading speed for longer texts is likely to be slow. They can understand a graphic presentation of a familiar topic, as long as not much text is involved. They can extract information from a textbook or article if it is presented in simplified form or if they are given plenty of time and they can make use of support materials such as dictionaries.

Listening
In social and travel contexts, users at this level can cope well enough to take part in a routine conversation on predictable topics to deal with most situations which might arise during a stay in a hotel. They can understand the general outline of a guided tour, the general meaning of a TV broadcast, and a simple phone message, but in each case the topic must be predictable and familiar.

In the workplace, users can take a routine order and deal with a predictable request from a visitor, for example, a request for a taxi to be called. They can take part in exchanges of opinions on familiar, predictable matters.

If studying, users at this level can understand some parts of a lecture and take a limited part in a seminar or tutorial, but only if allowances are made for the presence of non-native speakers. They can understand instructions on classes or assignments given by a teacher or lecturer.