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Is there any difference between both sentences? Are they synonyms? Is one better for formal speaking than the other?

Recently I was rejected in a job because

The standard of your written English is not at the level where you could write a report to our standard.

I'm trying to figure out what is the meaning of standard in that sentence, and I came across that standard also means level,

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    You can have a standard of English at several levels.
    – mplungjan
    Jul 31, 2013 at 11:55
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    @mplungjan what is the meaning of the standard? Recently I was rejected in a job because The standard of your written English is not at the level where you could write a report to our standard. I'm trying to figure out what is the meaning of standard in that sentence, and I came across that standard also means level, that's why I asked if they are synonyms.
    – user29020
    Jul 31, 2013 at 12:15
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    A standard is a type of measurement. Your standard of written English according to the letter you received, did not meet their requirements. Perhaps you had misspelled a word or two, hadn't used more formal expressions appropriate for writing a report, made a few punctuation errors etc. In other words, your writing didn't reach the mark (the standard) that they demand candidates should meet.
    – Mari-Lou A
    Jul 31, 2013 at 12:33
  • It is polite expression to tell your English is not fluent enough to meet their expectations and requirements. Maybe it is the word ordering, maybe some grammar mistakes, maybe some typos.
    – speedyGonzales
    Jul 31, 2013 at 12:48
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    If that is an accurate quote from the person who rejected your application, I would suggest that perhaps (s)he is not the best person to judge: that is a horribly worded and terribly clumsy sentence—and grammatically incorrect, to boot.
    – Janus Bahs Jacquet
    Jul 31, 2013 at 12:51

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It's quite true that both level and standard can be regarded as synonymous. However, there is indeed a subtle difference between them.
Suppose there is a competition where there are ten levels (ten rounds; you can participate in a round only if you qualify in the preceding one). Now, there can be different players in each level. However, the standard of the players in each level differ. Agree? As in, the quality of players in each level are different. In level 8, there can be player who has just luckily cleared the seventh level. Also, there can be another player who plays extraordinarily well. This means, the standard of this player is way better than the former.
So this is where the difference between level and standard lies.
However, based on context, you can use either of them for the same purpose.

As regards to you being rejected from job, I think your boss just wanted to tell you that you don't write good English (according to him). Simple.

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  • Nice example. Also not all football player from Premiere League are on the same skill level, but the meet the standards to be part of their team.
    – speedyGonzales
    Jul 31, 2013 at 12:50
  • Nice example ^^
    – user29020
    Jul 31, 2013 at 13:12

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