What is really my English level?

Most of us know how difficult it is to learn a language, and it is more difficult when you are not in one of the countries that speaks the language you are learning. I was listening to an interesting podcast on the topic "What really is my English level?", and I was wondering to myself, "Am I really in the intermediate level or advanced level? Am I higher or lower than I really think I am? Why in some tests can you score an advanced level and others a low intermediate level?" This is John's case. A brilliant student from Spain, John has been studying English for almost 4 years at the Foreign Language Institute of Madrid. He has gotten the best score in his class and even was one of the speaker selections for his graduation. John, at 18 years old, was prepared to continue his education in the USA. He believed that he would pass all English tests, like the TOEFL, required to get admission to one of the American universities. His family was also happy about it. How could it not come to pass since he was a brilliant student in high school, and scored well when studying English at the institute. John just needed a level of intermediate advanced, something he thought he could certainly score on the TOEFL. It would be a cinch. But, it did not turn out that way. John's score was low intermediate level. Tests are unique to one another - they have different standards and parameters. If you pass the Cambrige test with a good score, it doesn´t mean that will necessarily be the same for a different test. The case of John is the case of many of us that do not realize that tests can only give you an idea of your skill level. Being able to speak and communicate your ideas is most important.

Written by Rosa Rosado