ICBS gives Certificates of Attendance to the successful participants, after passing the test for the level. The certificates follow the international models of documents and are issued in Bulgarian and English. The tests are designed according to the Common European Framework.
Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
LEVELS A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2
Everyone who studies a given language can appreciate by himself the level of linguistic knowledge according to the five components of the basic communicative abilities: understanding (listening and reading), speaking (dialogue and monologue ), writing
LEVEL A1
A1 Understanding
A1 Listening
I can recognize familiar words and very basic phrases concerning myself, my family and immediate concrete surroundings when people speak slowly and clearly.
A1 Reading
I am reading I can understand familiar names, word and very simple sentences, for example o n notices and posters or in catalogues.
A1 Speaking
A1 Participating in conversation
I can interact in a simple way provided the other person is prepared to repeat or rephrase things at a slower rate of speech and help me formulate what I am trying to say. I can ask and answer simple question in areas of immediate need or o n very familiar topics.
A1 Independent oral presentation
I can use simple phrases and sentences to describe where I live and people I know.
A1 Writing
I can write a short , simple postcard, for example sending holiday greetings. I can fill in forms with personal details, for example entering my name, nationality and address o n a hotel registration form.
LEVEL A2
A2 Understanding
A2 Listening
I can understand phrases and the highest frequency vocabulary related to areas of most immediate personal relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local area, employment). I can catch the main point in short, clear, simple messages and an noun cements.
A2 Reading
I can read very short, simple texts. I can find specific, predictable information in simple everyday material such as advertisements, prospectuses, menus and timetables and I can understand short simple personal letters.
A2 Speaking
A2 Participating in conversation
I can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring simple and direct exchange of information o n familiar topics and activities. I can handle very short social exchanges, even though I can t usually understand enough to keep the conversation going myself.
A2 Independent oral presentation
I can use a series of phrases and sentences to describe in simple terms my family and other people, living conditions, my educational background and my present or most recent job.
A2 Writing
I can write short, simple notes and messages relating to matters in areas of immediate need. I can write a very simple personal letter, for example thanking someone for something.
LEVEL B1
B1 Understanding
B1 Listening
I can understand the main points of clear standard speech o n familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. I can understand the main point of many radio or TV programs o n current affairs or topics of personal or professional interest when the delivery is relatively slow and clear.
B1 Reading
I can understand texts that consist mainly of high frequency everyday or job-related language. I can understand the description of events, feelings and wishes in personal letters.
B1 Speaking
B1 Participating in conversation
I can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst traveling in an area where the language is spoken. I can enter unprepared into conversation o n topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life (e.g. family, questions hobbies, work, travel and current events).
B1 Independent oral presentation
I can connect phrases in a simple way in order to describe experiences and events, mi dreams, hopes and ambitions. I can briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. I can narrate a story or relate the plot of a book or describe my reactions.
B1 Writing
I can write simple connected text o n topics, which are familiar, or of personal interest. I can write personal letters describing experiences and impressions.
LEVEL B2
B2 Understanding
B2 Listening
I can understand extended speech and lectures and follow even complex lines of argument provided the topic is reasonably familiar. I can understand most TV news and current affairs programs.
B2 Reading
I can understand the majority of films in standard dialect. I can read articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems in which the writers adopt particular attitudes or viewpoints. I can understand contemporary literary prose.
B2 Speaking
B2 Participating in conversation
I can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible. I can take an active part in discussion in familiar contexts, accounting for and sustaining my views.
B2 Independent oral presentation
I can present clear, detailed descriptions o n a wide range of subjects related to my field of interest. I can explain a viewpoint o n a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
B2 Writing
I can write clear, detailed text o n a wide range of subjects related to my interests. I can write an assay or report, passing o n information or giving reasons in support of or against a particular point of view. I can write letters highlighting the personal significance of events and experiences.
LEVEL C1
C1 Understanding
C1 Listening
I can understand extended speech even when it is not clearly structured and when relationships are o nly implied and not signaled explicitly. I can understand television programs and films without too much effort.
C1 Reading
I can understand long and complex factual and literary texts, appreciating distinctions of stile. I can understand specialized articles and longer technical instructions, even when they do not relate to my field.
C1 Speaking
C1 Participating conversation
I can express myself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. I can use language flexibly and effectively for social and professional purposes. I can formulate ideas and opinions with precision and relate my contribution skillfully to those of other speakers.
C1 Independent oral presentation
I can present clear, detailed descriptions of complex subjects integrating sub-themes, developing particular points and rounding off with an appropriate conclusion.
C1 Writing
I can express myself in clear, well-structured text, expressing points of view at some length. I can write about complex subject in a letter, an essay or a report, underlining what I consider to be the salient issues. I can select style appropriate to the reader in mind.
LEVEL C2
C2 Understanding
C2 Listening
I have no difficulty in understanding any kind of spoken language, whether live or broadcast, even when delivered at fast native speed, provided I have some time to get familiar with the accent.
C2 Reading
I can read with ease virtually all forms of the written language, including abstract, structurally or linguistically complex text such as manuals, specialized articles and literary works.
C2 Speaking
C2 Participating in conversation
I can take part effortlessly in any conversation or discussion and have a good familiarity with idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms. I can express myself fluently and convey finer shades of meaning precisely. If I do have a problem I can backtrack and restructure around the difficulty so smoothly that other people are hardly aware of it.
C2 Independent oral presentation
I can present a clear, smoothly flowing description or argument in a style appropriate to the context and with an effective logical structure which help the recipient to notice and remember significant points.
C2 Writing
I can write clear, smoothly flowing text in an appropriate style. I can write complex letters, reports or articles which present a case with an effective logical structure which helps the recipient to notice and remember significant points. I can write summaries and reviews of professional or literary works.