For whom is the exam intended? - National Exam and Qualification Centre

Estonian language proficiency levels

Section 5 of the Amendment Act to the Language Act (adopted on 8 February 2007, RTI, 27.02.2007, 17, 82) stipulates that from 1 July 2008 the basis for compulsory determination of the level of language proficiency of individuals will be the language proficiency levels developed by the Council of Europe, which are described in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). The six levels of language proficiency (A1–C2) allow the development of language proficiency of students to be comprehensively gauged at any stage.

The CEFR sets forth the general principles for contemporary language instruction and elucidates the concept of communicative language proficiency, which is understood as the ability to cope in a foreign-language environment in accordance to one’s needs. The method of approach is situational: language activities as defined by the CEFR are always related to a certain specific objective involving the performance of a task in certain conditions.

The global scale of the common reference levels (CEFR, p 39):

Proficient user	C2	Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.
Proficient user	C1	Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.
Independent user	B2	Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. 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.
Independent user	B1	Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
Basic user	A2	Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
Basic user	A1	Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

A proficiency examination is required for to certify the required language proficiency level for one’s position, as established in the Regulation of the Government of the Republic “Estonian language and use requirements for public servants, employees and sole proprietors” (adopted 26.06.2008, regulation no. 105, RTI, 28.06.2008, 26, 176).

The language proficiency requirement for an office or post is established based on the type of public servant, the office’s main group, the evaluation requirements for main groups of offices, language proficiency requirements specified in the professional standard and the nature of the employee’s work.

Language proficiency at A-level or above is required of public servants, employees and sole proprietors whose duties of employment or official duties are of a specific nature and precisely defined, where the use of language is routine and written work is limited to the compiling of standard documents or filling out forms.

Language proficiency at B-level or above is required of public servants, employees and sole proprietors whose duties of employment or official duties are of a diverse nature and may be related to administration, direction or co-direction of a subunit, or the compiling of documents (with a predetermined content) necessary for the work.

Language proficiency at C-level or above is required of public servants, employees, and sole proprietors, whose duties of employment or official duties are the direction of a unit, the planning and coordination of activity, or providing consultation for and the preparation of public addresses, speeches and comments and text of official correspondence.

Based on the regulation, professional language proficiency will be gauged, and state examinations held, on four levels:A2, B1, B2 and C1.

Previously-issued language proficiency certificates will be brought into conformity with the new system as follows:

1) Language proficiency certified at the basic level will be considered in conformity with B1 language proficiency.

2) Language proficiency certified at the intermediate level will be considered in conformity with B2 language proficiency.

3) Language proficiency certified at the advanced level will be considered in conformity with C1 language proficiency.

Previously issued proficiency level certificates will not be replaced, nor is it required to re-take the examination.
Individuals for whom a higher or completely new language proficiency requirement is established must bring their language proficiency into conformity with the requirement within two years – i.e. by 1 July 2010.

There will be no changes to the examination form and examination procedures. Four skills are tested at the proficiency examination:

1) listening comprehension (listening)

2) reading comprehension (reading)

3) writing

4) speaking

Listening and reading comprehension and writing ability will be tested in the written part of the examination and the speaking ability will be tested orally.

The examination is considered passed when the examinee receives at least 60 per cent of the maximum point total; the result for none of the four constituent skill sections may be 0. Individuals who acquired their education in the Estonian language at a minimum of one of the following levels are exempt from the requirement of taking the Estonian language proficiency examination:

1) basic education

2) general secondary education

3) vocational secondary education on the basis of basic education

4) secondary specialized education on the basis of basic education

5) higher education

To be naturalized as a citizen of the Republic of Estonia, the citizenship applicant must pass at least the B1-level Estonian language proficiency examination.

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