Correspondence between the 9-step and 6-step proficiency scales
The 9-step language proficiency scale formerly used in the National Certificates of Language Proficiency system was replaced with a 6-step scale as from the beginning of 2002. In other words, assessments of language proficiency are now issued using a 6-step scale of skills levels, which is in line with the proficiency scale used in the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning, teaching and assessment developed by the Council of Europe.
Where National Core Curricula or other publications or documents include references to language proficiency scales, please take note of the correspondence between the skills levels of the new 6-step proficiency scale and the former 9-step proficiency scale. Further guidance can be found in the enclosed document entitled Correspondence between the 9-step and 6-step language proficiency scales for National Certificates of Language Proficiency, adopted on 1 February 2002.
Please direct any further questions to Ms. Tarja Leblay, tarja.leblay (at) oph.fi.
The table below describes the correspondence between the language proficiency scales used prior to 2002 (= original proficiency scale, levels 1–9) and the new scale in place as from the beginning of 2002 (= new proficiency scale, levels 1–6) both in terms of specific skills areas and the overall language proficiency level.
Original proficiency scale, levels 1–9 | New proficiency scale, levels 1–6 |
1 | 1 |
2 and 3 | 2 |
4 | 3 |
5 and 6 | 4 |
7 | 5 |
8 | 6 |
The new 6-step language proficiency scale is in line with the 6-step scale used in the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning, teaching and assessment developed by the Council of Europe.
The correspondence between the language proficiency scales was determined using methods recommended in international testing literature. A considerable number of experienced language teachers, test designers and test assessors classified numerous descriptors of language proficiency, using both an 8-step and a 6-step scale. In addition to the scale of National Certificates of Language Proficiency, the classified descriptors included those based on the Language Proficiency Scale of the Council of Europe. Participants reached good mutual understanding in their classification, which made it possible to express the correspondence between the original and new language proficiency scales of National Certificates of Language Proficiency and to compare these with the proficiency scale of the Council of Europe.