English B2 - Badge
Name
Issuer
University of Palermo.
Issued since 14 December 2017.
Description
The English B2 Badge certifies the achievement of a level equivalent to B2 for the English language, according to the European system defining standards of linguistic competence, the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for languages). The tests of level B2 in English language are provided by the University of Palermo Language Centre (CLA) and assess listening and writing skills. For further information please refer to the page of the project.
Badge Criteria
The holder of this Badge: belongs to one of these categories: undergraduate or postgraduate students, students taking part in mobility programmes, PhD students, Master’s Students, teaching staff, technical and administrative staff and financed researchers at the University of Palermo; has passed the B2 English language test of the University of Palermo Language Centre (CLA). Therefore, this Badge recognises the achievement of level equivalent to B2 in the English language, with reference to the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR).
Skills
Level B2 represents a Level of progress, is intended to reflect the Vantage Level specification. The literal term ‘Vantage Level means that, after slow but sure progress towards an intermediate stage, the learner is capable of: expressing and supporting his or her own opinion in a discussion, by providing relevant explanations, arguments and comments; explaining viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options; building a line of reasoning, with connected logical arguments; developing an argument giving reasons in support of or against a particular point of view; explaining a problem, making it clear that his/her counterpart in a nagotiation must make concessions; speculating about causes, consequences and hypothetical situations; taking an active part in informal discussion in familiar contexts, commenting, putting point of view clearly, evaluating alternative proposals and making and responding to hypotheses. Also moreover, the student is able to: converse naturally, fluently and effectively; understand in detail what he/she is told in standard language, even in a noisy environment; start a conversation, take his/her turn when appropriate and end conversation when he/she needs to, though he/she may not always do this elegantly; use stock phrases (e. g. “That’s a difficult question to gain time and keep the turn whilst formulating what to say; interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without imposing strain on either party ; adjust to the changes of direction, style and emphasis normally found in a conversation; sustain relationships with native speakers without unintentionally amusing or irritating them or requiring them to behave other than they would with a native speaker. Level B2 means a new degree of language awareness which makes it possible to: correct mistakes that have led to misunderstandings; take note of his/her own more frequent mistakes and consciously control them; generally correct slips and mistakes which have been noticed; plan what has to be said and the means for saying it, taking into account the effect this will have on the recipient/s. In particular, the holder of this Badge possesses the Listening and Writing skills validated by the B2 English Language test. Listening: Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can understand the majority of news programmes and TV programmes regarding issues of current affairs and the largest part of films in standard language. Writing: Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
Tags
Foreignlanguage, Languagecertification, EnglishLanguage