Does anyone have a sense of how the LingQ levels (B1, B2, I1, I2, A1, A2) map into the CEFR levels? Is an A1 on LingQ roughly comparable to an A1 on the CEFR or would it be higher, maybe a B1?
From my own experience, my own CEFR levels are 1-2 levels lower than my LingQ levels. LingQ levels are based solely on known words and there’s a lot more to the various CEFR level tests than that.
I don’t think the two rating systems are at all comparable.
CEFR levels are based on what the individual can DO in/with the language, requiring increasing skills in reading, writing, comprehension of oral speech of native speakers and the learner him/herself speaking. In order to achieve the more advanced levels, the learner has to actively “know” words and grammar appropriate to various contexts as well as pronunciation and tone to be able to understand native speakers and in turn to be understood by the latter when speaking.
By contrast, LingQ levels are based on words “known.” As is often discussed in this forum, when a person marks a word or phrase as 'known" varies considerably. Some do so only when they can use the vocabulary on their own – i.e., independently – while others do so when they readily recognize the terms when they read them in context. Whether such initial passive knowledge eventually becomes active, depends on what the learner does beyond just reading.
Recognizing a word when reading does not mean that one can automatically understand it when uttered by a native speaker in authentic speech as most of us know only too well. Even harder is coming up with the appropriate word (and its conjugation or declension) spontaneously in a conversation. It is entirely possible for a person to have read quite a bit on LingQ and even absorbed the basic grammar but still have only very rudimentary skills when it comes to understanding native speakers in authentic speech and when the learners express themselves in a conversation. Reading, writing, listening and speaking are separate skills but the LingQ rating system does not evaluate ALL of them together. Rather, LingQ’s system reflects the knowledge of written words. To what extent each learner has taken additional steps to learn the word/phrase when they hear it, varies considerably, as does each learner’s ability to speak and write in the language.
If you want to know how well you are doing overall, look at the CEFR proficiency descriptions and ask yourself how well you can do each.
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Are you familiar with this organisation (FCI?) featured in this video below?
I think the organization is FSI, but that is a very interesting video. Thank you.
Right - S not C. Thanks to you as well!