When choosing the right language learning method for your business, you’ll encounter two primary challenges:
- Language courses not adjusting to how much your employees already know (from their school days, living abroad, or recent language courses).
- Your employees’ learning progress should be obvious to them, so that they stay motivated and conscious of the learning method’s effectiveness.
To achieve both of these goals, Babbel offers a placement test for language learning level placement and makes all content compatible with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This means that language learning is designed to be intuitive, individual, and transparent for you and your employees.
But what goes on behind these product promises? We explain how Babbel fits both the needs of your employees and the goals of your business. You’ll also discover how the different language levels from the European Framework differ from each other, as well as how they are integrated into Babbel’s products.
Why Is It Important to Know Your Language Level?
Personalized Learning Path
Understanding your current proficiency helps you tailor your study plan. You can focus on areas that need improvement, whether it’s Italian vocabulary, French grammar, or specific skills like business Spanish for speaking or writing.
Setting Realistic Goals
Knowing your level allows you to set achievable and measurable goals. This can prevent frustration and keep you motivated, as you can track your progress more effectively.
Choosing Appropriate Resources
Different resources in the Babbel platform are designed for specific proficiency levels. Knowing your level helps you select lessons that are at the right difficulty level, optimizing your learning experience.
Effective Communication
Being aware of your language skills can help you communicate more effectively with others. You can gauge whether you’re ready for conversations in real-life situations or if you need more practice.
Assessment for Opportunities
Many academic programs, jobs, and travel opportunities require proof of language proficiency. Knowing your level can help you qualify for these opportunities and prepare for any necessary assessments.
Building Confidence
Understanding your strengths and weaknesses can build your confidence. Recognizing improvement over time can be a significant motivator and boost your overall enthusiasm for learning.
Connecting with Others
Knowing your level can help you find language exchange partners or groups that match your proficiency, enhancing your learning through social interaction.
How Babbel Finds Learners’ Language Learning Level
A placement test is automatically offered the first time users access Babbel’s online language learning platform. After a few minutes, this helpful online test determines the learner’s language learning level, enabling tailored learning from the start. Babbel’s course content also adjusts to each individual’s specific prior knowledge. Accordingly, the placement test promotes effective learning because users’ prior knowledge is reviewed, but not re-introduced. The placement test can also be repeated manually at any time.
The Council of Europe established the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages to guarantee a unified standard for language competency, and Babbel’s language learning platform follows these regulations when course content is planned and developed. This way, Babbel guarantees that every learner’s language proficiency is universally comparable and measurable—individually, at your business, and internationally.
The Advantages of Our Standardized Language Levels
Our targeted learning programs and specialized courses are designed to empower you with the knowledge and abilities needed to succeed. These are the benefits you get from our standardized levels of language learning:
- Language proficiency is measurable and learner progress is easy to understand.
- If you have specific business language skills that are tied to a particular language level (see below), you can quickly and easily acquire them in Babbel’s course offerings.
- Targeted learning and specific courses enable the acquisition of internationally recognized certificates.
- This learning structure leads to better self-assessment for learners.
What Are the Levels of Language Learning?
Our guide helps you to set concrete and relevant learning goals for teams and individual employees: Who needs to be able to communicate on the job site in a foreign language? Who would benefit from travel to other countries? And who will be negotiating complex affairs with international clients?
The Common European Framework is organized on a scale of A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2. Every level is associated with certain competencies. With a direct reference to this scale, Babbel formulates every lesson with practical learning goals that are achieved upon its completion. In this way, you and your employees will be able to see clearly which competencies and language learning difficulty levels have been achieved.
| Language learning level | Competencies of that level |
| Language Level 0 | Employees with no previous knowledge of their target language enter Babbel directly into Newcomer Course. |
| Language Level A1 | Employees with A1 proficiency in their target language are able to: – introduce themselves – write a short email and fill out a simple form – speak and ask questions about familiar themes – clearly understand spoken sentences about familiar themes |
| Language Level A2 | Employees with A2 proficiency in their target language are able to: – speak about their work – describe their living environment and education – carry on simple correspondence – read simple everyday texts |
| Language Level B1 | Employees with B1-level proficiency in their target language are able to: – go on a trip to a country where the target language is spoken – discuss familiar topics and personal interests in a coherent way – explain plans and justify opinions |
| Language Level B2 | Employees with B2-level proficiency in their target language are able to: – understand the content of texts with concrete and abstract themes – lead a professional discussion in their area of specialty – converse with native speakers fluently and spontaneously – identify and consider advantages and disadvantages |
| Language Level C1 | Employees with C1-level proficiency in their target language are able to: – discuss a wide spectrum of topics both written and orally with little effort – speak nearly fluently in a professional context – negotiate complex situations clearly, with structure and detail – understand implied meanings and cultural particularities |
| Language Level C2 | Employees who have achieved C2 proficiency have mastered their target language at the level of a native speaker. |
How Does Knowing Your Language Level Impact Motivation?
Clear Goals and Milestones
Understanding your current proficiency allows you to set specific, achievable goals. When learners have clear targets to aim for, such as reaching the next level or mastering certain skills, they are more likely to stay motivated as they can track their progress and celebrate small victories along the way.
Realistic Expectations
Awareness of one’s level helps in setting realistic expectations about what can be achieved in a given timeframe. This prevents feelings of overwhelm or frustration that often arise from attempting to tackle material that is too advanced. Realistic goals foster a positive learning experience, maintaining enthusiasm.
Sense of Accomplishment
As learners assess their level and see improvement over time, they experience a sense of accomplishment. This recognition of progress boosts self-esteem and reinforces the idea that effort leads to tangible results, encouraging continued engagement with the language.
Targeted Learning Strategies
Knowing one’s level allows learners to focus on specific areas that need improvement. This targeted approach can make learning feel more manageable and less daunting. When learners see that they are making progress in particular skills (like speaking or writing), their motivation to continue increases.
Positive Feedback Loops
Regularly assessing progress against established levels creates a feedback loop. Positive reinforcement from achieving goals or mastering new concepts motivates learners to push further. This cycle of success keeps learners engaged and eager to continue their studies.
Increased Confidence
Understanding one’s strengths and weaknesses can lead to increased confidence. When learners know what they can do well, they are more likely to engage in conversations or practice without fear of failure. This confidence encourages them to take risks in using the language, further enhancing their skills.
Community and Connection
Knowing one’s level can help learners find appropriate language exchange partners or groups. Engaging with others at a similar proficiency fosters a sense of community and support, which can be incredibly motivating. Sharing experiences and challenges with peers can inspire learners to stay committed to their goals.
Ready to find out what your language learning level is? Visit babbelforbusiness.com to learn more and get your team started learning a new language in the workplace.
Do you want to get started with corporate language learning?
Take your first steps to find the right learning strategy for your company with our eBook “The Ultimate Guide To Language Learning.”
