A1 - ENGLISH COMPETENCY LEVELS
SPEAKING GRADES K-1
ECL
LEVEL
Basic Beginner
1
Beginner
2
Low
Intermediate
3
High
Intermediate
4
Advanced
5
DESCRIPTION
STANDARD
SCORE
Demonstrates little or no ability to express self in spoken English.
Can name some common objects in English. Can respond to common questions with
single words or simple phrases. Ability to produce connected discourse is severely restricted
by lack of vocabulary, poor pronunciation, and limited knowledge of English syntax and
usage.
Can name many common objects in English. Can respond to questions, but responses may
be brief, and not entirely idiomatic. Can produce connected discourse that is
Comprehensible but somewhat restricted by lack of adequate English vocabulary and by
limited command of English language structure.
Can name most common objects in English. Can respond to questions, but responses may
include some idiomatic errors. Can produce connected discourse that is appropriate and
Comprehensible, but somewhat limited in fluency.
Can produce connected discourse that can be readily understood by a native speaker.
Speaks with the fluency and facility of a native speaker at this age/grade level.
Below 155
LISTENING GRADES K-1
ECL
LEVEL
Basic Beginner
Beginner
1
2
RED
155-182
183-200
201-225
Above 225
RED
DESCRIPTION
Demonstrates little or no ability to understand spoken English.
Recognizes some common English nouns and verbs associated with daily life. Has limited
understanding of spoken commands. Unable to answer questions based on simple oral
narratives.
STANDARD
SCORE
Below 126
126-156
Low
Intermediate
3
Recognizes many common English nouns and verbs. Can understand some common
spoken commands. Can answer some questions about simple oral narratives.
157-176
High
Intermediate
4
Recognizes most common English nouns and verbs. Can understand some common spoken
commands. Can answer some questions about simple oral narratives.
177-204
Advanced
5
Understands common spoken commands. Can follow and understand simple oral
narratives and answer questions based on them. Understands spoken English with the ease
and competence of a native speaker at this age/grade level.
READING GRADES K-1
ECL
LEVEL
Basic Beginner
1
Beginner
Low
Intermediate
High
Intermediate
2
Advanced
3
Basic Beginner
Beginner
Low
Intermediate
High
Intermediate
Advanced
1
2
3
RED
DESCRIPTION
Demonstrates little or no ability to read English.
Can identify some letters of the English alphabets. May be able to recognize a few short,
high-frequency English words.
Can identify most of the letters English alphabet. Reads and understands some highfrequency English words. Does not yet have, but is developing the knowledge of English
syntax necessary to distinguish among simple English sentences.
Can identify all of the letters of the English alphabet. Reads and understands highfrequency English words. Has sufficient knowledge of English syntax to distinguish among
some simple sentences.
Has all of the intermediate skills, and can read and understand some simple English
Sentences. Reads with the fluency and facility of a native speaker at this age/grade level.
WRITING GRADES K-1
ECL
LEVEL
Above 204
STANDARD
SCORE
Below 148
148-181
182-211
212-239
Above 239
RED
DESCRIPTION
Demonstrates little or no ability to write in English words.
Can write few high-frequency English words, or at least represent correctly several
phonetic elements of words.
Can write correctly, or nearly correctly, some common English words. Shows evidence of
phonetic awareness.
Can write correctly some common English words. Shows evidence of advanced phonetic
awareness.
Can write common English words with the competence and facility of a native speaker at
this age/grade level.
STANDARD
SCORE
Below 191
191-210
211-231
232-254
Above 254