Levels
Each level requires a certain number of hours of study, bearing in mind that the progress of a student will vary depending on the length of the course, motivation, aptitude and linguistic ability.
Levels of La Casa del Español
| La Casa del Español | Council of Europe | MCER* | DELE** |
| BEGINNER | A1 | BASIC | NEW |
| ELEMENTARY | A2 | USER | |
| PRE-INTERMEDIATE | B1 | INDEPENDENT | INITIAL |
| UPPER INTERMEDIATE | B2 | USER | INTERMEDIATE |
| ADVANCED | C1 | PROFICIENT | |
| PROFICIENCY | C2 | USER | HIGHER |
* Common European Framework
** Cervantes Institute
About the Levels
The normal number of hours required to achieve each level (starting from zero) is detailed below, along with a description of the level:
Number of hours required: 60BEGINNER (A1)
At this level the student understands and is able to use frequently daily expressions. He can also use simple phrases to meet daily needs. He can introduce himself and introduce others. The student can also ask for and give basic information about himself and about people he knows well. He will be able to understand people who speak slowly and clearly.
Number of hours required: 90ELEMENTARY (A2)
At this level the student can understand commonly used expresions and phrases which are very useful in day to day life (about himself, his work, where he lives, his interests and family/friends). In addition, he can communicate in a simple way about common everyday matters. He can describe aspects of his past life and talk about his family and friends.
Number of hours required: 120PRE-INTERMEDIATE (B1)
At this level the student can understand simple texts written in basic language and about familiar topics (work, social and academic interests). He can get by in situations such as an excursion to a Spanish speaking place. He can also write simple and cherent texts about familiar topics that are not too complex. Ha can also talk about facts and preferences and even give explanations about the experiences he describes.
Nmber of hours required: 160UPPER INTERMEDIATE (B2)
At this level the student understands the main ideas in texts of some complexity about subjects which are no longer simple and may even be technical, which he knows about thanks to study or work. He can converse fluently with Spanish speakers. He can write exts which are clear and which give detailed information on a variety of topics. He can also give opinions on general topics.
Number of hours required: 190ADVANZED (C1)
At this level the student can understand a variety of written texts. He can express himself fluently and effortlessly. He can also use Spanish in a variety of contexts such as study, work and social. Finally, he can write welll structured texts about complex topics without mistakes.
Number of hours required: 230PROFICIENCY (C2)
At this level the student can easily understand virtually all oral and written communication. He can transfer information that he has heard or read. His speech will be totally spontaneous, fluent and precise. He can write complex texts which show his ability to differentiate shades of meaning in different arguments.
