Official Record of EPIC Certification
Transcript of Course Work/CEFR-J Outcomes:
WRITINGREADINGSPEAKING

LISTENING

Hanako Kochi

Global ScaleRanking

B2

CEFR-JLEVEL

Common European Framework for Languages
CEFR-J (Japan context)

C1

The CEFR, developed by the Council of Europe, isbased on a set of statements that describe whata learner can do at six specific levels: A1, A2, B1,
B2, C1, and C2. The Japanese version of the scale(CEFR-J) has added sub-divisions (B1.1, B1.2,B2.1, B2.2) to better represent the range among
Japanese students. Therefore, a student with a
B2.2 ranking can do more with English than astudent who can function at B2.1

Development and production of coherent feature articles, which reflect original research and contain complicatedcontents from multiple sources.
Analysis of modern, general interest print and broadcast journalism, to determine rhetorical structures andidentify key content passages.

B2.2Interaction: Development of conversation and discussion strategies to express ideas and opinions accurately andfluently on issues ranging from the general to more specialized topics, spontaneously and in prepared situations.

B2.1

Production: Using digital media, students present and interact with an audience on a range of social or culturalissues/topics, individually or in pairs/groups.

B2.2

Uses of authentic sources to analyze features of spoken language, and to develop listening comprehension ofextended streams of speech, discussions, and arguments.

B2.2

The letter grades stand for B (Independent 中級 )and C (Proficient 上級 ), with the higher number
representing higher ability. The descriptions of
the relevant levels for the CEFR Global Scale(Independent and Proficient) are listed below.

Global ScaleC2•••

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.

C1

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•
•
•

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.

B2

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•
•

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.

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 while travelling 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 and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

Proficient「上級」

Independent[中級—上中級]

English Program for International Communication (EPIC): Course Description
EPIC is an intensive one-semester English program designed for upper-intermediate and advanced EFL students. A limited number of students (24), selected based on ability andmotivation, take six classes per week that cover both language skills and applied activities and projects. All courses are taught by native English-speaker instructors who closely
coordinate course materials and assessment. To receive the EPIC Diploma, students must successfully pass all EPIC courses with an assessment of B or higher, and be able to function atthe B2.1 level or above in each of language skills on the Common European Framework of Reference Scales (CEFR-J). A CEFR Global Scale Ranking is indicated as well. CEFR is not anassessment. It is a reference point which describes levels in terms of what students can do and how well they can do it. This is a more accurate reflection of actual student ability than auniversity letter grade. The CEFR descriptors and outcomes are important for the EPIC Program because of their emphasis on actual language use and communicative abilities.