| Novice I learners of a second language have little to no ability to speak the second language in academic and social settings. | Novice II learners of a second language have the ability to speak in a simple manner using the second language commonly heard in routine academic and social settings. | Intermediate learners of a second language have the ability to speak using the second language in academic and social settings with support. |
Students:
Mainly speak using single words and short phrases consisting of recently practiced, memorized, or highly familiar material to get immediate needs met; may be hesitant to speak and often give up in attempts to communicate
Speak using a very limited bank of high-frequency, high-need, concrete vocabulary, including key words and expressions needed for basic communication in academic and social contexts
Lack the knowledge of the second language grammar necessary to connect ideas and speak in sentences; can sometimes produce sentences using recently practiced, memorized, or highly familiar material | Students:
Are able to express simple, original messages, speak using sentences, and participate in short conversations and classroom interactions; may hesitate frequently and for long periods to think about how to communicate desired meaning
Speak simply using basic vocabulary needed in everyday social interactions and routine academic contexts; rarely have vocabulary to speak in detail
Exhibit an emerging awareness of the second language grammar and speak using mostly simple sentence structures and simple tenses; are most comfortable speaking in present tense
Exhibit errors that may hinder overall communication when trying to use vocabulary that is complex or less familiar
Use pronunciation that can usually be understood by people accustomed to interacting with those learning a new language | Students:
Are able to participate comfortably in most conversations and academic discussions on familiar topics, with some pauses to restate, repeat, or search for words and phrases to clarify meaning
Discuss familiar academic topics using content-based terms and common abstract vocabulary; can usually speak in some detail on familiar topics
Have a grasp of basic grammar features, including a basic ability to narrate and describe in present, past, and future tenses; have an emerging ability to use complex sentences and complex grammar features
Make errors that interfere somewhat with communication when using complex grammar structures, long sentences, and less familiar words and expressions
May mispronounce words, but use pronunciation that can usually be understood by people not accustomed to interacting with those learning a new language |