Level descriptors for lower levels
** Levels are to describe a student at the beginning of their course.
Level
Access 2
Literacies 1
Ability
Reading
&
Writing
Limited (or no) literacy in their first language
No (or very limited) knowledge of Roman alphabet
Can copy some words in English
Unable/struggles to form letters and numbers correctly
May be able to recognise some very basic common words
Mostly cannot understand basic notices and instructions
Speaking
&
Listening
Can answer very basic questions when asked slowly with prompts
Can respond with a few words or short phrases
Usually uses one word (or short) answers
Makes frequent grammatical and pronunciation errors
** Some stage 1 learners may have varying degrees of fluency in
English / may even be fluent in English.
Access 2
Literacies 2
Reading
&
Writing
Speaking
&
Listening
Access 2
Reading
&
Writing
Speaking
&
Listening
Can recognise and write alphabet with frequent/occasional slips
Can write basic personal information with frequent errors
Can understand some basic notices and instructions
Can read and write short, simple texts with scaffolding
Can read common words
May still have difficulty with upper and lower case letters and
require handwriting support
Can use and understand very simple English
Can have difficulty expressing themselves on all topics to
sympathetic listeners though can hold very basic conversations
Often gives short, ungrammatical answers
** Some stage 2 learners may have varying degrees of fluency in
English / may even be fluent in English.
Can read basic information in short texts
Mostly uses Roman script, upper and lower case accurately (with
occasional slips) - spacing and letter formation mostly correct
Can use basic grammar
Can understand most basic notices and instructions
Can complete basic forms and write short, simple texts about
familiar topics
Can sound out/attempt new words
Can hold a basic conversation on familiar topics
Can express themselves without accuracy to a sympathetic
listener
Makes basic grammar and lexis errors
** Some stage 3 learners may have varying degrees of fluency in
English / may even be fluent in English.