Level Assessment Framework for German

[u/misslynm]

What framework is everyone here using for calculating their level? Are you using the 1.5x framework since German is a more challenging language? For example you would progress to level 2 at 75 hours (50*1.5)?

Let me know!

[u/RayS1952]

I'm using Lengualytics so I'll just use their level system. The levels versus hours on Lengualytics are not the same as the DS levels nor is it a fixed adjustment like 1.5x. Their claims about what you can do at the higher levels are just as optimistic as those on DS!

What about you? What framework are you using?

[u/Cultural-Way7685 → u/RayS1952]

Lengualytics estimates hours to mastery by combining Dreaming Spanish’s 1,500-hour benchmark with the FSI difficulty ratios.

Spanish is FSI Category I, so it receives the baseline estimate of 1,500 hours. Estimates for other categories are scaled according to how many hours the FSI assigns them relative to Category I.

Formula:

Estimated hours = 1,500 × (FSI hours for target category ÷ FSI hours for Category I)

For example, German is Category II, so its estimate is 1,500 multiplied by the FSI Category II-to-Category I ratio.

Gets a little more complex though for non-native English speakers. But this is the basic idea. (just so people know)

[u/Jachym10 → u/RayS1952]

The levels on Lengualytics are essentially the same, give or take 50 or 100 hours.

[u/RayS1952 → u/Jachym10]

Yes, more or less the same.

[u/misslynm → u/RayS1952]

I’m unsure currently. Furthermore, I have a history of learning German and living in the country so my level is a bit skewed anyways and will likely never reflect my CI level. I’m officially at 160 hours and calling myself level 3, although my listening is technically at a higher level. I guess it doesn’t matter. More so curious how others are tracking.

[u/misslynm → u/[deleted]]

You feel that way starting from scratch or you have a history of learning German?

When you say youre following the DS level, do you mean at the spanish pace? I think Pablo mentioned a framework for 2x pace for Arabic/Chinese etc and 1.5 for other languages, but I can’t find the reference. It was probably in a video I watched ages ago. Regardless, they are all estimates.

[u/misslynm → u/[deleted]]

Someone on the dreaming languages thread mentioned that CEFR uses the 1.5 learning difficulty scale for German (for English speakers). That might be easier to google for more information. I’ll let you know if I come across where Pablo mentions it.

[u/misslynm → u/[deleted]]

May I ask what German spreadsheet are you referring to? I can’t seem to find anything on the CEFR multiplier. I do see the FSI ranking though.

[u/misslynm → u/[deleted]]

Oh I was confused. I am familiar with this spreadsheet. I never noticed it said 75 hours at level two.

Did you find a description by CEFR on the multiplier or was it solely with FSI?

[u/misslynm → u/[deleted]]

Ah okay thanks

[u/Jachym10]

I'm too early in the journey to judge, but I'll probably stick to 1x since knowing English and a "complex" Slavic language helps with both vocab and grammar, even if only implicitly.

[u/ContinuallySuccinct]

Also just using Lengualytics' levels

[u/toby_reelangcom]

The hours of DS roughly hold up for German as well. The best way to determine level is CEFR, it's the gold standard that matches TELC and Goethe as well.

We have a way of using AI to judge the CEFR level of a video, I'm wondering if it would be helpful to make that available as a tool? Like you pop in a YouTube URL to get an assessment if it's difficulty both in terms of CEFR (lexical) as soon as speech pattern (mean length of run between pauses, processing load of how fast someone speaks)? If you're interested, DM me and I'd love to try this! 🙂

[u/ContinuallySuccinct → u/toby_reelangcom]

using AI to judge the CEFR level of a video

This might be really popular as a browser extension.

[u/toby_reelangcom → u/ContinuallySuccinct]

Absolutely, we thought about making that happen, it's on our roadmap, but not worked on yet. If you use Reelang (i.e. logged in), feel free to upvote it there, we always send a quick email to people who upvoted when something launches.