Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) guidelines are the most widely and commonly accepted guidelines for measuring language proficiency in a foreign language.
As per these guidelines, there are six levels of language proficiency A1 to C2 which can be broadly grouped into beginner, intermediate and advanced where each level has two categories.
Today we will look at what it means to be at the intermediate level of the Italian language. This includes all four aspects of language learning which are reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Intermediate Italian is further divided into two levels which are B1 and B2.
B1 or the Intermediate level
At this level, you can deal with the most common situations and can communicate with others on familiar topics related to personal interest, everyday life, family, hobbies, travel and even current events.
You are able to write simple connected text on familiar topics pertaining to personal interests. You can describe personal experiences and impressions as well.
As far as reading is concerned, you can understand and read texts which consist of high-frequency words used every day related to personal interest or your work. You can even understand events, feelings and wishes expressed in personal letters.
B2 or the Upper-Intermediate level
At this level, you can speak with a certain fluency and spontaneity and participate in regular interaction with native speakers. You can actively participate in discussions on topics pertaining to familiar contexts.
You can understand extended speech, television programmes and even films in standard dialect.
Apart from being able to write a detailed text on a wide range of subjects related to personal interest, you can even write an essay, a report or pass information in support or against a specific point of view.
You can read and write contemporary text and prose at this level.
Thus, being at the intermediate level of the Italian language you can understand and enjoy most of the regular conversation and can get the gist of what you read or watch on television without subtitles.
However, at this level, you still need to maintain consistency to improve your Italian language skills to become better and move to the next proficiency level which is an advanced level. At this level, you can supplement your classroom learning with other resources such as websites, apps, movies, music etc. to understand the language better.
Now let us understand how being at Intermediate Italian can help you learn the culture
As mentioned earlier, the language and its culture are interrelated and inseparable. Whether it be the Italian cuisine, language dialects, holidays spent in Italy, the way people dress up or their family relations, that you would like to know, learning Italian can be the best way to get an insight into these details.
Attaining the intermediate level proficiency not just allows you to become comfortable with regular conversations, you can even get a superficial understanding of the folklore, body language and intonations that people use.
