Levels > Advanced
A Journey Through Online
Language Learning
Things to consider
The advanced level of language proficiency is synonymous with a good command of the language and its main grammatical structures. The Council of Europe’s interpretation of the advanced level of language proficiency is defined by the CEFR descriptors of Levels C1 and C2.
On the global scale C1, students can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. They can express themselves fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. They can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes, and can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.
On the global scale, C2 students can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. They can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. They can express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations.
Apart from further developing language skills, advanced courses develop further cultural awareness. At this level, the scope for online teaching is much wider than with lower-level courses. You can increase the range and level of difficulty of authentic materials (videos, broadcasts, blogs, etc.), to increase their ability to communicate and interact socially in the target language environment, including for example cultural aspects of conducting business.
- What level of course do you want to offer? Will it be a comprehensive or specific skills course (e.g. how to conduct business in the target country)? If comprehensive, do you aim to develop all language skills equally, or will you put more emphasis on some skills than others?
- Will the exercises be self-correcting, or tutor-supported? If tutor-supported, how much support can you be /are willing to offer as a tutor? Be aware that at this level the activities will be more complex. They will require more time and effort to develop and will demand a higher level of tutor support.
- At this level, students’ entry levels will differ across the skills, as well as their needs, so you will need to think about how to deal with this. On-line learning could possibly make differentiation easier, as you have fewer (if any) group sessions and you can direct students individually to an endless range of on-line authentic resources.
- What level do you want them to reach at the end of the course?
- How will you monitor progress and assess the language proficiency on completion of the course?
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