How do I describe my english level on a cv ?

Question

Hello,

I worked two years in an english speaking country and I'd like to emphasize this in the language section of my cv.
I first put that I had a good conversational level but I think that maybe it is not enough to sell my skills, maybe I should say fluent but I am scared in the same time that if I say "fluent" people expect my english to be as good as my native tongue which isn't the case. My understanding of fluent is that it is good but that I am not bilingual.
What is your opinion on this?

thanks,

Answer 1

Emma, my opinion is that your English seems to be a LOT better than a lot of English people on here! If you are not fluent - they usually ask the level of your fluency - just say almost fluent.

Answer 2

Being fluent does not necessarily mean being as good as your native tongue. However, I would be a little wary as to be fluent you would be aware of all the little nuances.

Also 2 years, well I have lived here in France for 8 and nowhere near fluent, but my daughter after 4 years was fluent in french and now, well!!

Thing is can you realistically hold your own in English?

Would you be comfortable say arguing in English?

I think capable or similar is a better open adjective.

So for example:- I am also very capable in the English language, and whilst possibly not fluent, have no problems understanding and replying to both the written and spoken word.

This then puts the onus on the interviewer / reader to establish how they interpret your stsndard and also conveys that you are not being arogant about your abilities.

Answer 3

Fluent means that you speak it as good as your native tongue.... I'm fluent in danish and english, which means i can speak both as if it were my first language, i lived in France for a year and speak pretty good French, so i say that i can speak French to a conversational level. Which i can, however i am definatly not fluent.

You could say that you have worked in the u.k for 2 years and speak very good English and look forward to the opportunity to become fully fluent through practice.

Answer 4

I would say you have an understanding of the English language, both written and spoken with good conversational skills. If you say fluent that implies you can communicate at any level and if that not true it could go against you.

Answer 5

1

Answer 6

I would think that 'proficient in English' would be reasonable. It's kind of a step down from fluency. Like, I would say I'm proficient in German; I can read the newspaper, read books, talk to people, watch movies/tv, but I am by no means fluent.



If you have kind of that skill level, definitely put proficient in English.

Answer 7

conversational is fine, if you say fluent and your not then your going get found out and they will sack you as you lied on your cv, say something like you are a strong speaker and writer of english, but would not consider yourself to be fluent,

Answer 8

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Answer 9

If you speak as well as you write, I would say 'Very Good' or 'Better Than Average'.



If you read most of the 'English' on these boards, you'll soon see what I mean - even though there is an automatic spell checker.

Answer 10

It sounds like 'proficient' is the most appropriate. Usually in resume-speak it goes 'conversational' (you speak some), 'proficient' (you speak it pretty well but definitely not as well as a native speaker), and then 'fluent' (you speak it as well or almost as well as a native speaker).

Answer 11

If you typed that in english without using a translation program you are definitely bi-lingual.



Bi-lingual does not infer perfect, it just means you are able to understand most words and are able to get your point across without having to ask questions in your native tongue. You understand how to get information in english using english.



I am in Human Resources trust me.....What some people consider bi-lingual is a joke!

Answer 12

Take a course in English Language & Literature at college. It's free to do it at my college and it only lasts for a year and it gives you a GCSE in English

Answer 13

If you are a beginner who is aware of very small if any Spanish but you will like to learn a lot more then you have to take a course https://tr.im/LH0rG the online program of Spanish

Answer 14

You can use percentages in each skill: speaking, reading, writing. And just assign a percentage to each one:



i.e.

Speaking: 85%

Reading: 95%

Writing: 90%



or whatever.

Answer 15

Judging by your well written question, I would say you are fluent!

Answer 16

excellent english understandability

Answer 17

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