How good is your English?

Listening

• You have a set of six choices to describe different aspects of your listening ability.

• Choose the statement that you fully understand and that best sums up your level of English for this skill.

Listening 1 - Conversations and discussions

I can understand simple greetings such as 'hello' and 'good bye', and simple questions such as 'What's your name?', or 'Where do you live?' I can understand most questions addressed to me in a simple conversation about a familiar topic, with the help of the other person. I can follow everyday conversations if people speak slowly, clearly and are willing to repeat certain words and phrases. As well as everyday conversations, I can follow a short talk on a familiar topic, if it is clearly presented. I can understand the details of any conversation as well as talks on topics that interest me, even if the language is complex. I can understand specialised debates, talks or presentations, even when they use specific and complex terms (for instance, a formal lecture at college or university).

Listening 2 – General information and recordings

I can understand basic information that includes numbers or times such as ‘It's fifteen euros’ or ‘The train leaves at half past three.’ I can understand the words and expressions used in shops, banks or restaurants as well as simple phone messages. I can understand the main points of radio and TV programmes on familiar topics, when the delivery is slow and clear. I can understand most TV and radio programmes as well as films if they are in a standard dialect. I can understand TV and radio programmes as well as films on any topic, even when they use idioms or slang. I can understand all types of recorded speech, identifying subtle meanings and emotions.

Listening 3 – Instructions and technical information

I can understand basic instructions such as ‘Press the yellow button to start,’ or ‘Take the second street on the left.’ I can catch the main point in short, simple messages and instructions such as which platform my train is leaving from. I can also understand simple technical information such as how to use everyday equipment. I can follow a technical discussion on a familiar topic and identify the main ideas. I can understand complex technical information and instructions, even on the phone. I have no difficulty in understanding complex and technical information even when it is delivered at a fast pace and the sound quality is poor.