What are language proficiency levels and do they really matter?
The ability of language learners in a particular language is measured using the six different CEFR (Common European Framework of References for Languages) levels which are A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2.
If you are at the B2 level which is considered to be upper intermediate where a learners can understand the main ideas of a complex text, spontaneously interact without much strain for the learner or the native speaker and produce a detailed text on wide range of subjects, then you are at a level where you can interact with native speakers without much difficulty.
This is also your step towards achieving the C1 which is the level known for proficiency where you can understand a wide range of more demanding texts or contexts and effectively use the language for social, academic or professional situations.
Do these levels really make a difference if you are learning Korean or any other language? Well, they can help you judge your proficiency and understand the level that you have achieved from where you started.
Also, these certifications could be very useful if you are applying for school or university admission or looking to work in a foreign country.
If you are personally interested in learning Korean for other reasons, these certifications of levels can help you gauge your progress.
Is it possible to achieve a B2 or C1 in Korean language in a year?
Let us understand that learning a language is a time-consuming process. However, it is important that you start with a goal to ensure that you make progress in the right direction. For this, starting with a deadline could be a good idea.
Though Korean is considered to have a few influences from Chinese and Japanese in certain aspects, it is considered to be a language isolate because it is not related to any other language. Thus, learning a completely different language can be a challenge and whether you can achieve a B2 or C1 in a year could depend on a lot of factors.
Let us look at some of the areas that you would need to focus on when learning Korean
Learning a language to a specific level would mean acquiring a certain proficiency in all the aspects of language learning which are reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Korean alphabet Hangul
The Korean alphabet may look difficult to master, but according to many language learners it is surprisingly easy to learn with only 24 letters. In fact, it was invented during the reign of King Sejong to make reading and writing easy even for people with little education. With practice you can even learn it in a day.
Korean pronunciation
Korean pronunciation may prove to be a challenge initially, but once you understand the alphabet you can learn pronunciation better because it is a phonetic language and the words are pronounced as they are written.
Korean grammar
The basic sentence structure in Korean is subject object verb which is different from the subject verb object form in English. This can be a little challenging for a native English speaker, however there are many other languages that use this sentence structure and those speakers may not find it difficult to adapt themselves to this part of the grammar.
Korean honorifics
Korean is an honorific language with separate nouns and word endings that depend on who you are speaking with. These are used to show respect and politeness to other people who are older or above you in social status.
Are you wondering if you could achieve a B2 or C1 with all these areas to work on?
Every language has some unique elements that need to be focussed on. So do not let these linguistic and cultural aspects dampen your spirits to learn Korean. In fact, once you understand the different areas that you need to focus on, learning Korean can actually become easy for you.
Also, your experience with other languages can play a major role in learning Korean. If you already know a second or a third language, you know what works for you when it comes to learning a new language and save a lot of time on figuring out how to learn Korean.
If you are a self-learner who is motivated, disciplined, organized and willing to put in the right amount of effort and time to learn Korean, achieving this level could be quite possible.
Your reason to learn Korean and the number of hours that you put in to learn the language would also play a major role in how fast you can learn the language.
Along with many learning resources available, you can also join an online Korean class where you learn from a teacher directly and can even practice your Korean skills without the hesitation of making mistakes as this is exactly what the teacher is there to help you with.
You can book a free demo session today with Multibhashi and start learning Korean.