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Language Services:
Language Training:
Translation and Revision:
Contact Information:
The Language Services Office is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tel. (09) 191 23234
Fax (09) 191 22753
Street address:
Vuorikatu 5 A, 3rd floor
Postal address:
Language Services
Language Centre
P.O. Box 4
00014 University of Helsinki
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Skill Level Descriptions: Language Services skill levels 1–6
= Common European Framework (CEF) skill levels A1–C2 = National Certificates of Language Proficiency (YKI) skill levels 1–6)
Language skill levels 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
1 (CEF A1/YKI 1)
SPEAKING I can interact in a simple way to tell people about myself or my immediate surroundings. I speak slowly and need to pause often. My pronunciation is far from perfect.
LISTENING I can understand very simple phrases about myself, people I know and things around me when people speak slowly and clearly.
READING I can understand very simple sentences, for example on notices and forms. I can find simple information in short texts.
WRITING I can write short, simple messages and notes. I can fill in forms with personal details. I can use some of the basic structures.
2 (CEF A2/YKI 2)
SPEAKING I can communicate in routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar topics and activities, asking and answering questions. I can use a series of phrases and sentences to describe in simple terms myself, my family and other people, living conditions and my job. My pronunciation is not necessarily very good, and I do not have enough vocabulary to handle a variety of situations.
LISTENING I can understand many expressions and words about things that are familiar, e.g. basic personal and family information, shopping and my job. I can get the main points in short, clear and simple messages. I can generally understand what people are talking about if their speech is clear and slow.
READING I can understand the main points in short, simple texts. I can find specific information I am looking for in simple everyday texts such as leaflets and timetables and I can understand short, simple personal letters and emails on familiar topics.
WRITING I can write short, simple notes and messages about everyday matters and everyday needs. I can describe myself, my family, my living conditions and my job. I can also describe past actions. I can write a very simple personal letter. I know the basic structures of the language.
3 (CEF B1/YKI 3)
SPEAKING I can deal with most situations likely to arise in familiar situations related to work and social life. I have enough vocabulary to manage in familiar everyday situations.
LISTENING I can understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters. I can catch the main points in TV programmes provided that the speech is relatively slow and clear and the topics are familiar. I may have difficulties in understanding normal speech at length if the topic is unfamiliar.
READING I can understand texts that contain everyday or job-related language and that do not require expertise in the subject matter. I can recognise significant points and arguments in a text.
WRITING I can write simple texts on topics that are familiar and answer enquiries briefly. I can write personal letters describing experiences and impressions. I have a sufficient command of the basic structures of the language.
4 (CEF B2/YKI 4)
SPEAKING I can handle successfully most communicative tasks and situations related to work and social life and can cope in more unfamiliar situations as well. I can express my ideas and thoughts as coherent entities and support opinions. I can differentiate between formal and informal language. I have a good range of vocabulary for matters connected to my field and most general topics.
LISTENING I can understand longer stretches of speech and lectures and follow complex lines of argument provided the topic is reasonably familiar. I can understand most TV news and current affairs programmes, missing only some details. I still have some problems understanding fast or dialectal speech.
READING I can understand texts on general topics, but not necessarily all shades of meaning in them. I can obtain information, ideas and opinions from specialised sources within my field. I can read contemporary prose.
WRITING I can write clear detailed texts on topics that are familiar to me and express my thoughts coherently. I can write an essay or a report, explain facts and give reasons to support or oppose a particular point. I have a good command of the basic structures of the language, and I can differentiate between formal and informal language.
5 (CEF C1/YKI 5)
SPEAKING I speak clearly and fluently about a great number of topics in various situations. I can give a presentation on a topic of my choice, with advance preparation. I have a good command of grammar and vocabulary.
LISTENING I can follow most lectures, discussions and debates with relative ease. I can understand spoken language even when it is not clearly structured and when ideas and thoughts are not expressed in an explicit way. I can follow most TV programmes and films with ease.
READING I can understand a wide range of texts, even if they have complex grammar and vocabulary, and literary texts. I can understand specialised language in articles, reports and technical instructions even if they are not in my field.
WRITING I can write clear and well-structured text and express my points of view at some length. I can write about complex subjects in a letter, an essay or a report, underlining what I think are the most important points. I can write different kinds of texts in a confident and personal style that is appropriate to the reader in mind. I have a good command of grammar and vocabulary, but I may encounter difficulties with some less frequently used words and structures.
6 (CEF C2/YKI 6)
SPEAKING I speak very fluently and in an appropriate style, and I can communicate fine shades of meaning. I have a sound command of grammar and vocabulary in almost all situations of language usage.
LISTENING I can understand, without difficulty, any kind of spoken language, both when I hear it live or in the media. I also understand a native speaker who speaks fast if I have some time to get used to the accent.
READING I can read, without problems, almost all forms of text.
WRITING I can write clearly and smoothly and in an appropriate style. I can write letters, reports and articles in such a way that the reader can easily find the key points in my text. I can write summaries and reviews of professional and literary texts.
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