Proficiency

What is proficiency?

Proficiency is your ability to speak and use the language effectively. It measures the type of language you use (phrases, sentences, paragraphs) and the way in which you use it. Our goal for this course is to be in the intermediate range - creating language, asking & answering questions on a variety of familiar topics, and handling basic interactions in various situations (at school, on a trip, at a doctor's office, etc.)

When we talk about proficiency, we talk about three different areas:

• Interpretive: Your ability to understand what you hear & read
• Interpersonal: Take part in a two-way conversation, exchanging & offering information
• Presentational: Present information through speaking or writing

See below for more descriptors of proficiency at various levels.

How do I move up the proficiency levels?

• EXPOSURE to the language is key. Your brain is designed to receive language and make sense of it. When you're in class, actively listen. Everything I say is said with your language development in mind (you'll hear me repeat similar words/phrases over and over again with the hopes that they will stick). Outside of class, use your resources to hear & see the language. Try these:
  • DuoLingo Podcast (available on your podcast app)
  • Notes in Spanish Podcast (also available on your podcast app)
  • Revisit our classroom site (and this website) to find classroom listenings
  • Buena Gente Web Series
  • Mi Vida Loca (web series from BBC)
  • ¿Qué hora es? (silly comedy series on YouTube)
  • LingusTV sitcoms
  • SOL - School of Language web series
  • NachoTime Spanish
  • Spanish sitcom (Yes, that's its name! Also available on youtube-- but this can have some mature humor!)