Proficiency Levels of

English Language Learners

Proficiency Levels of ELLs Point Draw

Match Select Circle State

Choose Act Out

Label Name

List

“I have little or no English proficiency.”

BeginnerStudents Can:

However, beginner students quickly connect the concepts they know in their primary language to the new English language environment, and they can participate in the classroom by doing the activities listed here. Beginners may demonstrate various levels of oral and literacy skills in their primary language.

Beginner students are those with little or no English proficiency. The English sound system is new to them, and they comprehend little of what is said in English. They may go through a "silent period" where they attempt to make no English sounds.

Adapted from IDRA, Intercultural Development Research Association © 2000 Northwest Regional Education Service District

Proficiency Levels of ELLs

Recall Retell Define

Describe Compare Contrast

Summarize Restate

“I have good oral skillsin English, but minimal reading and composition skills in English.”

IntermediateStudents Can:

Intermediate level students have good oral skills in English but have minimal reading and composition skills in English. They may be able to converse at length and to comprehend anything said to them, however reading and writing at grade-level in English is difficult. Some intermediate students may be literate at or above grade-level in their primary language. Literate students quickly transfer reading and writing skills into English and are able to perform the activities listed here.

Adapted from IDRA, Intercultural Development Research Association © 2000 Northwest Regional Education Service District

Proficiency Levels of ELLs

Analyze Create Defend Debate

Evaluate Justify

Support Explain

Advanced

“I am fluent in oral English and have some reading and writing skills, but need help to pass tests.”

Students Can:

Advanced students have difficulty taking standardized and norm-referenced tests because of the higher-order thinking skills required. Some advanced students may by fully literate in their primary language while others may have only limited literacy skills in their home language. In order for advanced students to become proficient in English, they need experiences that involve the following skills listed here.

Advanced students are those who are nearly proficient in English. They understand and speak English fluently but have difficulty reading and writing English.

Adapted from IDRA, Intercultural Development Research Association © 2000 Northwest Regional Education Service District

Second Language Acquisition Strategies and Activities

All levels of ELLs benefit from: Cooperative grouping activities Visual aids Graphic Organizers Manipulative and hands-on activities Concrete to abstract presentations Vocabulary Strategies

Beginning/ Early Intermediate

Intermediate Early Advanced/Advanced

All students learn when the information is comprehensible. ELLs require second language acquisition strategies and activities that make the language and information comprehensible.

Adapted from IDRA, Intercultural Development Research Association © 2000 Northwest Regional Education Service District