LAS Links Proficiency Levels/Descriptions
Level 1: Beginning
A Level 1 student is beginning to develop receptive and productive uses of English in the school context, although comprehension may be demonstrated nonverbally or through the native language, rather than in English.
Level | Characteristics | APPROXIMATE Time Frame | Teacher Prompts |
---|---|---|---|
1 Low Beginner (Beginning) |
The student
|
0 - 6 months |
|
Points to consider:
- Students tend to "straddle" phases; they do not completely move from one stage directly to the next.
- Depending on students' previous schooling experience, the time frame for learning language may be faster or slower.
Level 2: Early Intermediate
A Level 2 student is developing the ability to communicate in English within the school context. Errors impeded basic communication and comprehension. Lexical, syntactic, phonological, and discourse features of English are emerging.
Stage | Characteristics | APPROXIMATE Time Frame | Teacher Prompts |
---|---|---|---|
2 High Beginner (Early Intermediate) |
The student
|
6 months - 1 year |
|
Points to consider:
- Students tend to "straddle" phases; they do not completely move from one stage directly to the next.
- Depending on students' previous schooling experience, the time frame for learning language may be faster or slower.
Level 3: Intermediate
A Level 3 student is developing the ability to communicate effectively in English across a range of grade-level appropriate language demands in the school context. Errors interfere with communication and comprehension. Repetition and negotiation are often needed. The student exhibits a limited range of lexical, syntactic, phonological, and discourse features when addressing new and familiar topics.
Stage | Characteristics | APPROXIMATE Time Frame | Teacher Prompts |
---|---|---|---|
3 Low Intermediate (Intermediate) |
The student
|
1 - 3 years |
|
Points to consider:
- Students tend to "straddle" phases; they do not completely move from one stage directly to the next.
- Depending on students' previous schooling experience, the time frame for learning language may be faster or slower.
Level 4: Proficient
A Level 4 student communicates effectively in English across a range of grade-level appropriate language demands in the school context, even though errors occur. The student exhibits productive and receptive control of lexical, syntactic, phonological, and discourse features when addressing new and familiar topics.
Stage | Characteristics | APPROXIMATE Time Frame | Teacher Prompts |
---|---|---|---|
4 High Intermediate (Proficient) |
The student
|
3 - 5 years |
|
Points to consider:
- Students tend to "straddle" phases; they do not completely move from one stage directly to the next.
- Depending on students' previous schooling experience, the time frame for learning language may be faster or slower.
Level 5: Above Proficient
A Level 5 student communicates effectively in English, with few if any errors, across a wide range of grade-level appropriate language demands in the school context. The student commands a high degree of productive and receptive control of lexical, syntactic, phonological, and discourse features when addressing new and familiar topics.
Stage | Characteristics | APPROXIMATE Time Frame | Teacher Prompts |
---|---|---|---|
5 Advanced (Above Proficient) |
The student has a near-native level of speech (mechanically and linguistically, not necessarily through pronunciation.) | 5 - 7 years |
|
Points to consider:
- Students tend to "straddle" phases; they do not completely move from one stage directly to the next.
- Depending on students' previous schooling experience, the time frame for learning language may be faster or slower.