Learn a Second—or Third—Language!
Join us at the center Upstate International calls home — 9 S. Memminger Street, Greenville, SC 29601 — or participate in an Online class to take your language skills to the next level. Upstate International’s language classes are unique in several ways.
All language classes offered by Upstate International for the current term are available through the link below. Those on our email list will receive notice as soon as the upcoming schedule is posted. To be added to our email list, complete the form at the bottom of this page.
2023 Spring Semester Classes Registration is now open! CLICK HERE for available classes, pricing, and registration.
How to choose what level fits you best?
At UI, our curricula are structured according to class needs. We do not use tests or grades in our format. Students come because they want to learn another language and culture; our teachers teach because they want to share their language and culture.
Our class structure follows the guidelines of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). The CEFR is a language-neutral guideline used to describe the achievements of any foreign language learners at different stages of their learning. Described below are the CEFR’s 6 broad levels of ability and what learners can do across 5 language skills; spoken interaction, spoken production, listening, reading, and writing.
A1 – Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
A2 – 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). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment, and matters in areas of immediate need.
B1 – Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst traveling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
B2 – Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialization. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. 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.
C1 – Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.
C2 – Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.
Still don’t know which class you should be in? Look at the language self-assessment table, available in your native language, to find out.
¿No sabes en qué clase deberías estar? Mire la tabla de autoevaluación del idioma, disponible en su idioma nativo, para averiguarlo.
Average number of hours it takes to reach a B2 level in a language as a native English speaker- Chart