ESL100 (Introductory)
READING shows little sight recognition can recognize simple learned phrases and familiar words can match simple illustrations and short written sentences WRITING can copy English can write a small number of familiar words and simple phrases can write down basic personal information SPEAKING speaks almost no English uses first language can’t make a simple sentence can use 2 or 3 words in a string can respond to greetings and basic instructions with gestures LISTENING can comprehend almost no English can comprehend greetings and basic instructions with gestures
ESL200 (Beginner) READING - can identify topic in short simple text - can read simple passages within a familiar predictable context - can phonetically decode and sound out all familiar words - can read unsimplified texts rarely and with difficulty WRITING - can write a set of simple instructions on a simple or a simple message - can write a few simple sentences about self, family or other highly familiar topics SPEAKING - can speak in fragments - can produce isolated words and phrases - can make simple introductions and give basic personal information - can ask/rerspond to very simple questions with prompting - can understand simple instructions LISTENING - can comprehend a few key words/phrases and simple structures - frequently misunderstands - can comprehend simple commands in relation to context ESL300 (Upper Beginner) READING - can identify topic and main idea in short simple texts - unfamiliar words in unpredictable contexts are usually impossible to guess - can read some authentic texts of factual nature usually with difficulty WRITING - can write a number of statements about self’ family, or other highly familiar topics - can write mostly simple sentences or coordinated clauses but not continuous texts SPEAKING - can converse but with hesitancy - can impart meaning through simple structures - tries to make complex sentences - can ask /respond to questions based on personal needs LISTENING - can identify topic in conversation but misses details - requires frequent repetition/rephrasing - can follow formal/informal conversation with effort ESL400 (Intermediate) READING - can identify specific detail by scanning - can understand purpose and main idea of more complex texts - can read a page of authentic text within a familiar predictable context of daily life and experience and of a factual nature - can understand a few idioms in context WRITING
- can write short continuous texts to report a series of events or information with high degree of inaccuracy - can take notes and reproduce information given orally or visually - can write simple compound sentences and occasionally write complex sentences SPEAKING - can take part in conversation but with gaps - can use a few idioms and colloquial expressions - can communicate well in predictable situations - can request and give information LISTENING - follows broadly main ideas in formal/informal conversations at a slow speed - can comprehend a very limited number of idioms
ESL500 (Upper Intermediate) READING - can read a page of authentic text within a predictable and relevant context of daily life and experience and of factual nature - can find more specific details by scanning high comprehension of literal and factual texts but experiences difficulty with grammatically complex sentences and abstract ideas - can understand a number of idioms in context WRITING
- can write continuous texts with errors mostly occurring in complex structures - can write simple compound and some complex sentences - can take notes and reproduce information given orally or visually of medium complexity SPEAKING - can speak with a moderate degree of fluency and accuracy - can use some idioms and colloquial expressions - can communicate well in predictable situations - can relate/request information for a variety of situations LISTENING - follows main ideas in formal/informal conversations at a normal speed - can comprehend some idiomatic expressions
ESL600 (Advanced) READING
- can read a variety of authentic texts with a moderate degree of comprehension - can comprehend the meaning of text with moderate use of a unilingual dictionary - can comprehend texts containing a wide range of specialized vocabulary and idioms with some difficulty WRITING - can write continuous texts but contains accuracy errors, lexical collocation errors and lacks flexibility of style - can write a coherent well developed paragraph on a topic that is familiar and relevant - can use increasingly complex structures to show relationships of contrast, time, cause and reason SPEAKING - can speak with a high degree of fluency and accuracy - can use a number of idioms and colloquial expressions appropriately - can communicate reasonably well in unpredictable situations - can express specific needs - can obtain/give detailed information LISTENING - near native like comprehension although complex structures/and highly idiomatic speech can cause difficulty
ESL700 (Upper Advanced) READING
- can read a variety of authentic texts in unpredictable contexts with native-like comprehension - can comprehend a range of complex lexical, grammatical, and rhetorical clues - can read a wide range of technical idiomatic and specialized vocabulary WRITING - can write effectively and independently in various contexts with very high accuracy, fluency and style as compared to native like skills - uses a full range of complex structures and vocabulary pertinent to the formality level, subject area, topic and task. SPEAKING - can speak with native like fluency - can use a wide range of idioms and colloquial expressions - can communicate effectively and appropriately in unpredictable situations - can obtain/give detailed information effectively and by many means LISTENING - can comprehend idioms, vocabulary, and technical jargon related to own fields of work with native like fluency - can comprehend in speech in a variety of unpredictable situations |