Russian Language Level

[James Talbot]

Thelevels of Russian are described in detail and approved on a state level by a special committee of Russian Federation. You can learn more about them on the website of M. Lomonosov Moscow State University.

It is important to emphasize, that Russian language levels categorization is slightly different from that in Europe. For example, Russian standard A2 perfectly matches European B1/moderate B2. The learner achieved this level is able to read articles on the Internet, watch TV programs, make new contacts and talk about work.

When developing our one-of-a-kind system, we were keeping in mind those two different language mastering standards. So we divided each level from Russian system into 2 or 3 modules. In the chart below you can find our own module system for learning Russian and the number of academic hours necessary for mastering each module.

In the table you can see that to start speaking Russian in everyday life, meaning bulding simple phrases and sentences, you are going to need 192 academic hours (45-minute classes). Depending on the studying workload intensity, they can be taken within a time period from 3 to 12 months. A basic studying plan includes two 1.5 hour classes a week, 2 academic hours each, during 12 months. The intensive studying plan includes 4 academic hours a day 4 days a week.

The present curve is an average based on our previous experience. Learning speed depends also on the participant's ability to learn a foreign language, on his motivation and on which other languages he already speaks.

The participant can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. S/he can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where s/he lives, people s/he knows and thingss/he has. S/he can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

The participant can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). S/he can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. S/he can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.

The participant can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. S/he can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. S/he can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest, or about the world. S/he can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

The participant can understand the main ideas and details of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. S/he can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. S/he can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

S/he can express and argue her/his point of view on socially significant problems. S/he understands colloquial and journalistic style, the basics of official business style and of popular science style.

To reach this level, it is better to live in the country for some time, actively communicate in Russian with Russians, by living in a host family for example.

Official requirement to work as an executive in a Russian company, as a diplomat, a Russian language teacher, a translator or as an interpreter (level certified by the TRKI-3 exam)

Vocabulary: 7000 words

The participant can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. S/he can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. S/he can convince her/his interlocutor, be able to give a moral and ethical assessment of ambiguous situations. S/he can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. S/he can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

The participant can use the language correctly, both functionally and stylistically, is able to participate in situations of communication involving people of different social status, including communicating as a person of high social status (for example, as a boss). The participant must be familiar with case texts, and must have a cultural background.

online test >order your free information packJoin our TRKI mailing list to get your pack with information on the different TRKI levels, syllabuses, the tests that make up the exam and links to sample papers.

TRKI is the official Russian test of Russian as a foreign language, and we think it is the best Russian exam for adults currently available. It offers an adult-oriented syllabus, is available at different levels and is very accurate when it comes to determining your level of Russian. Its structure and effectiveness are similar to DELF in French, or TOEFL and Cambridge ESOL in English.

This course has transformed my Russian, and our teacher Natasha is really knowledgable and explains the language process very well. I would highly recommend this course and look forward to returning next term.

SPbU has organized TORFL since 1997. The TORFL system was created by Saint-Petersburg University and Moscow State University. However, testing and assessment materials and basic requirements are created by SPbU. Nowadays question papers for the TORFL test are compiled by the experts of each educational organization authorized to run the Test, e.g. St.Petersburg University question papers are compiled by St.Petersburg University, Herzen University question papers are compiled by Herzen University experts, Moscow State University question papers are compiled by MSU experts and so on.

After successfully passing a test, a foreign citizen receives the TORFL certificate confirming the person's level of language competence in Russian as a foreign language. The form and procedure of issuing the TORFL certificates are determined by the Order of the Ministry of education and science of the Russian Federation of 25 April 2014 No. 412.

This Order states that 10 days is the maximum period for issuing a certificate, but the testing organizations seek to do this faster. For example, St.Petersburg University and Herzen University issue a TORFL certificate on the next day after exam. SPbU issues a reference in national languages with grades for each subtest attached to the certificate.

By the Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation of 6 July 2019 No.471 the list of educational organizations conducting testing of Russian as a foreign language includes 13 educational organizations, for example: St. Petersburg State University, Herzen University, Moscow State University, Pskov State University, RUDN University, Pushkin State Russian Language Institute etc.

The Common European Framework classifies Russian language students into 3 extensive groups. They are subsequently separated into 6 levels. We can describe those levels depending on the abilities of a learner to read, write, speak and listen.

At these levels, students are extremely close to approve that their knowledge meet academic and/or professional requirements. They become interested in standard assessment what they have achieved. Fortunately, our headteacher has got a few certificates. One of them proves that she can prepare students for TRKI/TORFL as well as she is a certified assessor.

ELEMENTARY CERTIFICATION LEVEL (TEU-A1) Achieving this level of proficiency in Russian allows a foreigner to meet basic communication needs when communicating with a native speaker in a minimum set of situations of everyday communication, while being limited to a minimum set of language means. (To reach the level required 90-120 training hours.)

BASIC CERTIFICATION LEVEL (TBU-A2) Achieving this level of proficiency in Russian allows you to satisfy the most necessary communication needs in certain situations related to everyday life when communicating with native speakers. The base level also provides the minimum necessary base for practicing any professional activity in a limited volume. The TBU certificate gives the right to receive citizenship of the Russian Federation. (120-140 training hours) *

FIRST CERTIFICATION LEVEL (TORFL-1 B1) Achieving this level of proficiency in Russian allows the candidate to meet basic communication needs in real situations of communication with native speakers in everyday and socio-cultural spheres. A certificate of this level is required for admission to a Russian university with the obligatory subsequent study of the Russian language provided for by the relevant educational standards. In this case, in addition to this exam, the candidate must pass an additional test module in the Russian language, taking into account his professional orientation. (it takes 120-140 hours to reach the level) *

THIRD CERTIFICATION LEVEL (TORFL -3 C1) The exam provides the final qualification of a high level of communicative competence in all areas of communication. This level allows the candidate to conduct professional activities in Russian as a philologist, translator, editor, journalist, diplomat, manager, leading their professional activities in the Russian-speaking team. The presence of this certificate is necessary to obtain a bachelor's degree, specialist and master's degree of the above specialties (with the exception of specialists and masters-philologists, for whom this exam is an intermediate). A certificate of the second or third level gives the right to teach Russian as a foreign language. (To achieve the level, you need about 160 hours of general knowledge + 160 hours of language of the professional sphere.) *

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