Language Level Definitions
Here are the guidelines we use to evaluate language levels.
NATIVE: Most likely, you grew up speaking a language in a culture/household where it was the primary means of communication, or you've been immersed in a language culture long enough that people cannot identify you as a "foreigner" in regular conversation.
Here are the basic requirements that qualify you as a "native" speaker:
Natural Pronunciation (you don't speak with an "accent" that differs from your selected Region/Accent)
Rapid recall (you don't often spend time searching for expressions or words)
Broad vocabulary (you don't often hear words you don't know/understand in general conversation)
FLUENT: Just below "Native" level. You weren't raised speaking the language, so "Native speakers" can identify you as a "foreigner" in casual conversation. However, you've been immersed in a language culture long enough to achieve:
Rapid recall (you don't often spend time searching for expressions or words)
Broad vocabulary (you don't often hear words you don't know/understand in general conversation)
INTERMEDIATE: You weren't raised speaking this language, but you've mastered a solid grasp of complex grammar and advanced vocabulary.
BASIC: You've got a understanding and can read/speak/understand basic vocabulary and grammatical structures.