Appendix C: The DIALANG scales
B2
C1
C2
Correspondence relating to my field of interest. Longer texts, including specialised articles outside my field and highly specialised sources within my field. Articles and reports on contemporary problems with particular viewpoints.
Wide range of long, complex texts from social, professional or academic life. Complex instructions on a new unfamiliar machine or procedure outside my area.
Wide range of long and complex texts – practically all forms of written language. Abstract, structurally complex, or highly colloquial literary and non-literary writings.
Understanding aided by broad active reading vocabulary, difficulty with less common phrases and idioms and with terminology. Understand the essential meaning of correspondence in my field, and specialised articles outside my field (with dictionary). Obtain information, ideas and opinions from highly specialised sources within my field. Locate relevant details in long texts.
Identify fine points of detail including attitudes and opinions which are not explicitly stated. Understand in detail complex texts, including fine points of detail, attitudes and opinions (see conditions and limitations).
Understand subtleties of style and meaning which are both implicitly and explicitly stated.
Range and types of text only a minor limitation – can read different types of text at different speeds and in different ways according to purpose and type. Dictionary required for more specialised or unfamiliar texts.
Understanding of details of complex texts usually only if difficult sections are re-read. Occasional use of dictionary.
Few limitations – can understand and interpret practically all forms of written language. Very unusual or archaic vocabulary and phrases may be unknown but will rarely impair understanding.
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