Languages
Please identify your ability to communicate in Spanish, English, French, and Portuguese:
Native Speaker:
Someone who has spoken a particular language since they were a baby, rather than having learned it as a child or adult. Understands essentially everything in the language: all vocabulary, complicated grammatical structures, cultural references, and dialects.
Proficient Knowledge:
Has a good command of a broad lexical repertoire. There is little obvious searching for expressions or avoidance strategies; only a conceptually difficult subject can hinder a natural, smooth flow of language. Can use the language fluently, accurately and effectively on a wide range of general, academic, vocational or leisure topics, marking clearly the relationships between ideas. Can communicate spontaneously with good grammatical control without much sign of having to restrict what he/she wants to say, adopting a level of formality appropriate to the circumstances.
Good Knowledge:
Can use a wide range of simple language to deal with most situations likely to arise whilst traveling. Can enter unprepared into conversation on familiar topics, express personal opinions and exchange information on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life (e.g. family, hobbies, work, travel and current events)
Can interact with reasonable ease in structured situations and short conversations, provided the other person helps if necessary. Can manage simple, routine exchanges without undue effort; can ask and answer questions and exchange ideas and information on familiar topics in predictable everyday situations.
Basic Knowledge:
Can interact in a simple way but communication is totally dependent on repetition at a slower rate of speech, rephrasing and repair. Can ask and answer simple questions, initiate and respond to simple statements in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics.
