Levels, Methodology and Assessment

Welcome to Lacunza ~ Levels, Methodology and Assessment

Our courses are structured into 8 levels, from complete beginner to the most advanced.

Levels

Beginner: The student has no knowledge at all, or only knows a few words and the occasional expression.
Elementary I and II: The student can express basic information utilizing simple structures. They can use the present, past and future tenses.
Intermediate I and II: The student can carry out group conversations. They are at ease in everyday situations, can communicate using the indicative and know several subjunctive forms.
Advanced I and II: The student can communicate effectively in different social situations and use and understand different styles of the spoken language e.g. formal, informal, etc... They know and use the main grammatical structures of Spanish.
Proficiency: Students can communicate in almost all the different types of situations. They can understand and speak in all the styles of Spanish and know all of its different grammatical structures.

Evaluate your level with our Spanish test.

Methodology

At Lacunza-International House you will learn to effectively communicate in Spanish. We are recognized for our committed teachers, and our dedication that goes beyond the classroom.

Our methodology, standardized from International House, is focused on practicality and application of the language. For example, following a grammar lesson, students are required to apply what they have learned to a practical situation. A vocabulary lesson involving food and groceries would be supplemented with exercises like ordering food in a restaurant, talking about likes and dislikes, etc... The exercises at first are very controlled and then are practiced more freely so that the students incorporate new structures into their speech while gradually adding new vocabulary.

The quality of our courses is based on our team of professional teachers who share a common methodology. They follow our Teacher Training Course and work as a team (there are 2 teachers in each student-group) to create a lesson plan that works for each student. All of the instructors are supported by our Director of Studies to constantly improve their teaching methods and newer teachers can always learn from the experience of the older ones.

We also use our own detailed teaching programmes which we adapt to each student group. This way, apart from having great teachers, we also offer a unique school style. The result is that our students learn and have fun doing it. Make sure you plan ahead, many students stay longer than expected!

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Assessment

At Lacunza - International House San Sebastian we start with an Initial Assessment. We use the placement test, a tool that allows us to place each student in the class appropriate to their level:

A1 (BREAKTHROUGH)): less than 20 points in the placement test
A2 (WAYSTAGE): 20-28 points in the placement test
B1 (THRESHOLD): 29-36 points in the placement test
B2 (VANTAGE): 37-42 points in the placement test
C1 (EFFECTIVE OPERATIONAL PROFICIENCY): 43-48 points in the placement test
C2 (MASTERY): 49+ points in the placement test

We also perform Continuous Assessments through a biweekly assessment test wich helps us check the progress of each student.
After completing the course, each student receives a certificate issued by Lacunza - International House San Sebastian which guarantees their stay in Spain and their level of Spanish according to the Common European Framework of Reference:

Level A1 (Breakthrough) (60h aprox.)

Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

Level A2 (Waystage) (120 h aprox.)

Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.

Level B1 (Threshold) (180h aprox.)

Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

Level B2 (Vantage)(240h aprox.)

Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and Independent disadvantages of various options.

Level C1 (Effective Operational Proficiency) (360h aprox.)

Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

Level C2 (Mastery)

Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.

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