C1 (ALTE Level Four)

At this level, users are expected to be able to use the structures of a language with ease and fluency. They are aware of the relationship between the language and the culture it exists in, and of the significance of register. This means that to some extent they are able to adapt their language use to a variety of social situations, and express opinions and take part in discussions and arguments in a culturally acceptable way. Users at this level can develop their own interests in reading both factual and fictional texts. They can also produce a variety of types of texts and utterances, such as letters of varying degrees of formality. They can use language in a creative and flexible way, with the ability to respond appropriately to unforeseen as well as predictable situations, producing quite long and complex utterances. The written and spoken texts encountered in most common everyday situations can be dealt with at a level below that reached by the Level C1 user, but some of the more difficult situations connected with renting accommodation demand this level of language. Users at this level can enjoy a wide range of social contacts.

Examinations at Level C1 may be used as proof of the level of language necessary to work at a managerial or professional level or follow a course of academic study at university level.

Productive Skills

Speaking
In social and travel contexts, users at this level are beyond the stage of having any problems in dealing with many of the routine situations of everyday life, such as those which arise in shops, restaurants, banks and hotels. They can take part in lengthy casual conversations, and discuss abstract or cultural topics fluently and with a good range of expression. Nuances of meaning and opinion are not beyond their grasp, but there may be difficulties when talking about sensitive or complex issues. With this degree of competence, they can handle the requirements of entertaining socially, or of being entertained as a guest. Users at this level are able to participate quite actively in and enjoy a foreign culture.

In the workplace, they can argue a point persuasively, and ask questions which go outside their own immediate area of responsibility or expertise. They can contribute effectively to meetings and seminars within their own area of work, and give a presentation or demonstration. Users at this level can use the telephone for most business purposes.

If studying, users at this level can give a clear presentation on a familiar topic, but may have difficulty developing or explaining complex points, or answering unpredictable questions. In a seminar or tutorial, they can present and, to some extent, justify their opinions, but may not be able to handle probing or hostile questioning.

Writing
In social and travel contexts, users at this level can write personal letters, only encountering difficulties where very complex issues arise, and they can produce some of the more formal types of letters, such as a letter to a newspaper.

In the workplace, they can deal with routine requests for goods and services, but may need help to deal with a situation which demands tact or delicacy. They can take dictation and make notes, provided that very complex, delicate or abstract matters are not being dealt with. They can write letters of many familiar types, such as enquiry, complaint, request and application.

If studying, users at this level can take notes in a lecture or seminar which will be useful for later writing or revision. They can make notes from written sources and write an essay, although errors of grammar and vocabulary, as well as style, may occur. Similarly, an account of an experiment may be written fairly adequately, but occasional errors may occur, and conclusions may not be adequately supported.

Receptive Skills

Reading
In social and travel contexts, users at this level can understand magazine and newspaper articles, although complex plots, arguments and humour may present difficulties.

In the workplace, they can understand instructions, articles and reports, as long as, in most of these cases, the topic area is within the learners own field, and no particularly complex concepts and arguments or unusual vocabulary are involved.

If studying, reading related to the users own subject area presents problems only when abstract or metaphorical language and cultural allusions are frequent. However, the user still has difficulty getting through the amount of reading required on an academic course, and may not be able to cope with postgraduate study.

Listening
In social and travel contexts, Level C1 users can cope with everyday life up to the level of being able to understand details of accommodation arrangements such as tenancy agreements. They have sufficient competence in comprehension to cope with being entertained or entertaining socially, and taking part in a variety of casual conversations. They can understand a great deal of what is available on TV and radio and in plays and films, but complex plots and detailed arguments will escape them.

In the workplace they can understand most of what takes place in meetings and seminars within their own area of work. They can follow arguments unless they are very complex or abstract.

If studying, users at this level can follow much of what is said in a lecture, demonstration or presentation, seminar or tutorial, although unfamiliar accents, cultural allusions and jokes, unfamiliar or complex subject matter and colloquial language may cause difficulties.