Take a look at the hand below

This is a quick little tool that you can use to check your own language proficiency. Here’s how to use it:

1. Make a fist.
2. Raise your pinky if you can say words in the language you want to speak.
3. Add your ring finger if you can say phrases in the language you want to speak.
4. Add your middle finger if you can say sentences in the language you want to speak.
5. Add your index finger if you can say paragraphs in the language you want to speak.
6. Add your thumb if you can say extended, connected paragraphs in the language you want to speak.

These quick measures should help you understand where you are, and they should also help you set your goals. Do you want to be able to work in the target language country? You should be in the 5 and 6 range. Just want to feel confident on a trip? Look towards 2, 3, and 4 as a goal to start.

You can also do this in your classes with your students. This can even be a quick writing activity (five minutes on a given theme). Measure frequently and see lots of progress.