I have done a lot of thinking about levels of language learning in trying to figure out exactly what level I'm on and what a reasonable goal is for a level to finish on at the end of the year. First, I'll lay out how the levels are set up for French. The DELF and DALF exams are proficiency tests that you take to receive a certificate showing which level of French you are, and you can use that certification on CVs. Unlike the English TOEFL, you are not tested to receive a grade; instead, you test in a specific level and get the certificate of completion if you pass the test. The levels are DELF A1, A2, B1, B2, and DALF C1 and C2. Basically, level A is beginner, B is intermediate, and C is fluency.
I am currently taking classes (two hours, twice a week) on the B1 level, so I am on the lower intermediate level. However, it is not very challenging. I can't decide how much I like the class, because it's good practice, but it is still sometimes fatiguingly easy. For example, I am currently learning the difference between the passé composé and the imparfait (the two most common past tenses) for the millionth time. That probably means that I am therefore reasonably good at it now, finally, but still. So. Boring. I've considered moving up to the B2 class, but it may be too much trouble because it is nice to be on a lower level than what I may be capable of since this is the first time I'm actually actively using what I'm learning and can immediately apply it, and because switching classes would present scheduling problems.
But because I would like to be able to test for the DALF C1 by the end of the year, I will do my best to work ahead on my own in order to progress far enough to qualify for the C1. I have some supplemental texts that I have started working on in addition to the work in class, and I have a wide variety (both in terms of genre and level) of French literature I can read for practice. It will take a lot of work, but it's possible.
In terms of speaking, I get really lazy about speaking French because I know that my host parents and any French-speaking friends speak English, so I usually just slip into speaking English. A lot of that has to do with the type of learner I am, however. Claire and I are on the same level of French and in the same class, but our personal level has variations. I am better at reading and writing and Claire is better at speaking (and we are about the same on comprehension). This is because I want to be perfect when I speak, and am therefore hesitant to say anything unless I know precisely how to say it. Claire, however, takes the bold approach of talking a lot, not fearing what actually comes out. In that method, she does make a lot of mistakes, but she is actively using the language and gaining confidence in it. In truth, there is no one best way to learn, and we can both gain fluency on our own terms, but it does complicate the issue of deciding what level we are really on.
In comprehension, I have been doing pretty well. I can listen to my host parents talking and understand a majority of what is said; what holds me back the most is simply vocabulary, which will come with time and exposure. And in reading a text, it's the same; in both situations you can use context clues to figure out the basic message, even if you don't understand quite a bit of the vocabulary.
Therefore, depending which skills one considers, I am on a B1/B2 level, and if I work hard enough, it shouldn't be impossible to reach a level of fluency by the end of the year. I primarily need to work on speaking out more and being willing to make mistakes in order to progress, but that will always be something I do less than Claire simply because of personality, and there's nothing wrong with that.
Language Anecdotes
I just learned today that I've been telling the kids to take off their shoes/coats using lever, when the verb is really enlever... oops.
Words that kids use don't always work in adult situations... Most of the time it's nothing of great importance, but there's a significant difference between using the word coquin/e for a child and an adult; for a child, it's something to call them when they're being mischievious and it is very acceptable, but for adults... yeah. Not the same. I'll let you figure that one out.
Oui is yes and ouais is yeah, and apparently there is a way in which you can change your tone when you say non which makes a similar distinction of formality/informality. Go figure. And the kids yelled at me when I used ouais with them because they're taught that it's very impolite. Oops again. I just have to remember not to use it when I'm around them.
The French make a pfft sound to mean I don't know a lot, which Claire picked up on quickly and then I therefore picked up on from her. It's pretty fun to learn these little subtleties and use them without thinking about it because that means we're really immersing ourselves in the language and culture.
I'm planning on writing a post later today about what I've been doing lately, so I'll talk to you again soon! :)
