The English teachers voice

  As an Advanced Level English Teacher , one of the most common questions that I am asked by students is how to maintain, and/or improve their level of proficiency in the language. Today, more than at any other period in history, a single language has solidified itself into a position of undeniable relevance in our ever-changing globalized world. Be it for matters relating to government, commerce, education, or for the resolution of global issues , English has taken the lead in almost every facet of life and international affairs. This phenomenon, which has developed progressively over many years, has been responsible for a transformation in the way that English as a second language is now perceived in most parts of the world. Governments have found the necessity to embrace English on all levels, schools have attached new importance to its teaching, new institutes continue to spring up on almost a daily basis and universities are now making it a mandatory part of a student's gradu...

  What is the CEFR? T he Common European Framework of Reference (usually abbreviated to the CEFR) describes what language learners can do at different stages of their learning. The CEFR is language-neutral, which means that it can be applied to any foreign language learning situation. It was originally designed as a comprehensive reference tool to promote educational transparency and to allow movement between countries for work or study within the European Union. Since its publication in 2001, the CEFR has been translated into 37 languages and its use has spread outside Europe, from Asia to Latin America, as an aid to defining levels for learning, teaching, and assessment. The CEFR describes six broad levels of ability, with A1 being the lowest and C2 the highest. Learners are classified into three distinct groups: the Basic User (levels A1 and A2), the Independent User (B1 and B2), and the Proficient User (C1 and C2).  A1 Beginner A person with an A1 le...