Measure your te reo proficiency – Public sector

The Level Finder Examination (LFE) provides a general indicator of a candidate’s ability to aurally recognise speech and their knowledge of vocabulary and grammar. This proficiency level finder tests against the Whakamātauria Tō Reo Māori framework- see below.

The examination is a one-hour test with an additional ten minutes reading time.

The examination has three parts:

  • Aural recognition (dictation)
  • Vocabulary (close reading multi-choice answer)
  • Grammar (close reading multi-choice answer)

Please register your interest here for a sitting. Organisations with a minimum of 20 candidates will be prioritised.

Hono mai

Rules and regulations

Time: You are allowed one hour to complete the LFE. An additional 10-minute reading time is allocated at the start of the exam.

Dictation assessment – A passage will be read three times, your task is to write out what you hear in the document provided.

Multi-choice questions that assess your knowledge of vocabulary and grammar based on context.

  • Please do not attend the examination if you’re sick or experiencing any cold or flu symptoms.
  • Cell phones
  • This is a closed book exam – dictionaries or assistance in any form, from or of another person is strictly prohibited
  • Ensure you have water at hand and snacks if needed.
  • Ensure you arrive at least 10 minutes before the examination to confirm registration and your Candidate number
  • You must follow all instructions given by the coordinator.

Results are normally available three weeks after the examination. Result slips and e-certificates are sent to the email address provided on the registration form. For security reasons, examination scripts will not be returned to candidates. If contact details change between the time of registering and the exam sitting, please notify the Examinations Officer on the day of the exam. If they change within the three weeks between the sitting and when results are due, please email [email protected].

Framework

At level 1, a te reo Māori user has enough vocabulary to understand and speak in simple phrases or sentences about a limited range of topics. They can use language that is short and simple to carry out routine tasks. They have elementary reading and writing skills and may have some difficulty understanding native speakers. Language use at this level maybe slow and users normally have to think first before articulating what they want to say.

At level 2, a te reo Māori user can participate and be understood in everyday situations, can ask and answer simple questions on easy topics but their reading and writing skills may not be yet at the same level. A person at this level can usually articulate matters of immediate need in simple terms and interact effectively with others in familiar settings.

At level 3, a te reo Māori user can speak and be understood easily and effectively in everyday situations – both formal and informal – including in the workplace. A person at this level can initiate and sustain spontaneous interaction with speakers at different levels in straightforward discussions and communicate effectively in the workplace. Can produce simple, connected written text.

At level 4, a te reo Māori user can communicate easily, confidently and spontaneously in everyday situations including a range of social and professional settings. They will have a good command of grammar, vocabulary and idiomatic language that enables interaction in a sustained manner and be able to read and write well in te reo. They will be easily understood by native speakers and are able to discuss quite complex issues relating to topics they know about.

At level 5, a te reo Māori user can communicate their thoughts, opinions and emotions clearly and appropriately in te reo Māori. A person at this level has the linguistic flexibility to enter easily into a range of cultural settings and has an excellent command of grammar, vocabulary and idiomatic language. They use the language spontaneously, fluently and appropriately in a range of situations. A person at this level can also speak, read, understand and write precisely and clearly about complex and abstract issues including specialist topics.

 

At level 1, a te reo Māori user has enough vocabulary to understand and speak in simple phrases or sentences about a limited range of topics. They can use language that is short and simple to carry out routine tasks. They have elementary reading and writing skills and may have some difficulty understanding native speakers. Language use at this level maybe slow and users normally have to think first before articulating what they want to say.

At level 2, a te reo Māori user can participate and be understood in everyday situations, can ask and answer simple questions on easy topics but their reading and writing skills may not be yet at the same level. A person at this level can usually articulate matters of immediate need in simple terms and interact effectively with others in familiar settings.

At level 3, a te reo Māori user can speak and be understood easily and effectively in everyday situations – both formal and informal – including in the workplace. A person at this level can initiate and sustain spontaneous interaction with speakers at different levels in straightforward discussions and communicate effectively in the workplace. Can produce simple, connected written text.

At level 4, a te reo Māori user can communicate easily, confidently and spontaneously in everyday situations including a range of social and professional settings. They will have a good command of grammar, vocabulary and idiomatic language that enables interaction in a sustained manner and be able to read and write well in te reo. They will be easily understood by native speakers and are able to discuss quite complex issues relating to topics they know about.

At level 5, a te reo Māori user can communicate their thoughts, opinions and emotions clearly and appropriately in te reo Māori. A person at this level has the linguistic flexibility to enter easily into a range of cultural settings and has an excellent command of grammar, vocabulary and idiomatic language. They use the language spontaneously, fluently and appropriately in a range of situations. A person at this level can also speak, read, understand and write precisely and clearly about complex and abstract issues including specialist topics.

 

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