Why your placement matters: learn better at the right level

Imagine this: you want to learn English and have made it to South Africa to study at the University of Pretoria. You write the placement test, and your teacher places you in level 3 (pre-intermediate). You are disappointed because you thought your English was at least level 4 (intermediate).

We understand – you’ve worked hard to learn new words, listen to English TV shows, and speak to people in English. You’ve even moved to an English-speaking country. Your ambition is great and we appreciate that you want to do well. Being placed at a lower level than you expected doesn’t mean you have failed. It only means that there are some aspects of the language you need to improve on before you can move on. 

Below are some points you should know about language placement and why you shouldn’t try to go to a higher level too soon. 

What are language levels?

Language levels are not about judging your intelligence or limiting your potential. They are part of international standards set out by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. It is a way for your language school to assess your grammar, range of vocabulary, listening comprehension, fluency in speaking, and reading and writing skills. 

Maybe you can communicate effectively in English when you travel, or on social media, or you can watch a series in English and understand the story. These are great skills to have, but they are not always complete. You may be a good speaker, but your reading comprehension needs improvement. Or perhaps you understand grammar when you’re writing, but when you listen to someone explain something, you get lost on some of the vocabulary. 

If you are strong in one skill and weak in others, it’s important to be placed at the correct level so that you can work on getting all your skills to balance your overall proficiency. 

What are the risks of choosing a level that is too high?

We all want to succeed, and many of us want to succeed as fast as possible. If you choose a level that is too high for your skills, you are likely to have some problems. See the examples below:

1. You will struggle to follow instructions. Instructions get more complex with each level. For example, at level 2 (elementary), we might say, ‘What is the man’s problem?’ but at level 5 (upper intermediate), we would say, ‘Listen for the speaker’s main argument and the evidence used to support it.’ 

2. You might fall behind in grammar. In each level, we help you build on to your English grammar. Imagine if you started at level 1 (beginner) and we explained to you the past perfect simple tense (intermediate). You would struggle to understand the structure and place these rules have in English. It’s important to master the foundational grammar rules first, then add onto them instead of trying to master everything at once. 

3. You could lose confidence and avoid speaking. When your classmates are speaking at a level that is higher than yours, you might be afraid of making a mistake. You might become shy and stop trying to speak in class. This is a problem because the purpose of class is to provide a safe space for you to make mistakes and learn from them. Your classmates will not judge you, but you might be too embarrassed to try.

All of these are common problems that you might face if you choose to go to a level that is higher than the level where you are placed. These problems could lead to worse results (you could quit the school, fail assessments, or even repeat the level). 

Remember: the placement test is designed to check your skills objectively and carefully. We will not put you at a level that is too low for you if we cannot justify our decision. 

Practice makes progress

Starting at a lower level may even benefit you because you can practise and master the foundations of English grammar before you move on to more complex matters. When we learn a new language, we acquire four skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. We cannot improve these skills without working on grammar and vocabulary, and to do this, sometimes we must start at the beginning. 

Ask yourself these questions (be honest!):

1. Can I follow most lessons without translating everything?

2. Is it easy and fun to participate in class?

3. Do I understand feedback?

4. Am I improving each month?

5. Do I feel confident speaking in class?

If you answered ‘no’ to any of these questions, you may need to change levels. Talk to your teacher about how you feel.  

Remember: levels are not final. They are there to help you. At the UP Centre for Language Learning, we want you to improve in all the skills – not only to pass a test, but to learn English for the enjoyment of the language. So, trust the process, trust your teachers, and believe in yourself. 

Sources:

1. Cambridge English: International language standards 

(https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/cefr/)

2. British Council: Understand your English level

(https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/english-levels/understand-your-english-level) 

3. UP Centre for Language Learning: What are the different English Proficiency levels based on? 

(https://languagecentre.up.ac.za/post/what-are-the-different-english-proficiency-levels-based-on)