Our "24 Level System to Spanish Fluency®"
Hola, my name is Daphne
I’m the academic director of FU International Academy Tenerife (FUIA). I’d like to introduce you to our System for learning the Spanish language.
When the FU International Academy opened in 2000, it was missing one major key: organization! The school hired and fired teachers according to the demand of Spanish teaching in Tenerife, and it relied completely on the teacher’s personal techniques.
It changed when Frank Sellingsloh became director in 2004; his first priority was getting accreditation from the Cervantes Institute, which he achieved just one year later.
In order to get the certification from the Cervantes Institute, many quality control procedures had to change, especially with teaching methodology and organization.
In 2009, we created our own teaching system: a 48 Level System to Spanish Mastery. Later, this system developed into two parts: the entire system of Spanish mastery, and just the first 24 levels to achieve conversational fluency, the 24 Level System to Spanish Fluency®.
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) Consists of 6 Levels
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is a guideline used to describe achievements of learners of foreign languages across Europe and, increasingly, in other countries, too.
The Common European Framework divides learners into three broad divisions that can be divided into six levels. For each level, it describes what a learner should be able to do in each skill area: reading, listening, speaking and writing.
A1 = Beginners
A2 = Elementary
B1 = Intermediate
B2 = Upper intermediate
C1 = Advanced
C2 = Proficiency
A1 = Beginners
A2 = Elementary
B1 = Intermediate
B2 = Upper intermediate
C1 = Advanced
C2 = Proficiency
Spanish Fluency According to the CEFR
According to the CEFR you can reach fluency after finishing level B2 which would mean that you are able to:
UNDERSTAND
Understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in your field of specialization.
INTERACT
Interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers possible without strain for either party.
PRODUCE
Produce clear, detailed texts on a wide range of subjects and explain a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
In 2009, We Decided to Create Our Own Levels Separating the 6 Levels of the CEFR into 24+24 Levels
24 Levels to Spanish Fluency®
The first 24 levels lead to fluency.
A1 = 4 sub-levels
A2 = 5 sub-levels
B1 = 7 sub-levels
B2 = 8 sub-levels
A1 = 4 sub-levels
A2 = 5 sub-levels
B1 = 7 sub-levels
B2 = 8 sub-levels
48 Levels to Spanish Mastery
Accomplish another 24 levels to reach mastery in Spanish.
C1 = 11 sub-levels
C2 = 13 sub-levels
C1 = 11 sub-levels
C2 = 13 sub-levels
Within Our System, You’ll Finish the B2 Level after 24 Sub-Levels
Let's Summarize the Key Elements of Our Online Spanish Learning System
A comprehensive placement test at the start that determines your exact level of Spanish
Definition of 24 levels of Spanish – from absolute beginners to Spanish fluency.
A teaching methodology with proven techniques, alongside the most up-to-date teaching materials and learning technology.
Detailed tests at the end of each course level to check if you can pass to the next level.
When it comes to our teaching methods, we apply Stephen Krashen’s “Input Hypothesis” theory of second language acquisition.
Stephen Krashen researched how we learn a second language. In our classes we use his theory, along with our other methods and teaching practices, to help our students learn Spanish.
From our extensive experience teaching Spanish we’ve found Krashen’s theory useful for our students’ progress. It sounds complicated but actually, his theory is simple.
Krashen suggested that students will improve and progress when they receive the second language input at one step beyond their current level.
In practice, this means that once we’ve assessed a student’s language level, he/she will receive input and materials slightly above their current level to help them improve faster.
We use this method to help students learn Spanish at the optimal rate, but if we feel that any of the classes we provide are too advanced we re-assess the students’ needs. Above all, we ensure that our students feel comfortable and are happy with their progress.
Along with this theory, we provide you with meaningful interactions in Spanish – natural communication – because from our experience this is the only way you can really learn to speak Spanish.
How Do We Choose the Most Appropriate Course Level for You?
Before starting a course with us, you have to take a comprehensive placement test that determines your exact level of Spanish. The results are our initial benchmark to choose the correct course level for you.
