CIEE English Ratings for Work & Travel USA

Level Description Types of questions they can answer Typical job types
Has not studied English previously None - not suitable for Work &
(1) Beginner None
Cannot understand any question on first ask Travel program
Ability to deal with very limited day-to-day activities
None - not suitable for Work &
(2) Elementary Can talk about food, family, simple subjects What is your name?
Travel program
Might know vocabulary but cannot make sentences
Can deal with predictable day to day activities
Basic communication with assistance What do you study at your
Sometimes asks to repeat questions but can understand if university? Why?
(3) Lower None - not suitable for Work &
repeated or rephrased Tell me about your family.
Intermediate Travel program
Does not have extensive vocabulary (doesn't know What did you eat for breakfast
synonyms) today?
Generally have studied English for one or two years
Back of the house,
Can deal with varied familiar everyday acts
Tell me what the duties of your past housekeeping, laundry,
Effective + independent use of language in familiar
jobs were. dishwashing, cleaning, stocking,
(4) Intermediate situations
Why would you be a good WAT grounds/maintenance, kitchen
Moderate vocabulary (knows some synonyms) Uses full
participant? work, fast food server, busser,
sentences
some retail
Can deal with some complicated work tasks Tell me about a time when you...
Uses full sentences and proper sentence structure -worked as a team.
(5) Upper Previous and waterslide
Minimal pauses when speaking -had to handle multiple tasks.
Intermediate attendant, cashier
Fairly extensive vocabulary -had an upset customer.
Generally has studied English formally for several years -worked under pressure.
Can deal with complex work tasks
No pauses when speaking
Often has studied English for several years, possibly Previous and complicated retail,
(6) Advanced starting in middle or high school All questions lifeguard, front desk, waitstaff, ski
Large vocabulary instructor
Possible previous WAT participant or parent who speaks
English
Language used fluently, accurately, and appropriately
No accent or pauses when speaking
Previous and complex phone
(7) Fluent Native English speaker or parent who speaks English All questions
work
Likely to have studied English since elementary or middle
school

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 CIEE Oral Language Assessment (COLA)
1 2/3 4 5 6 7
General -Nothing -Simple personal -Understands normal -Understands normal -Normal speed, -Virtually no
Comprehen- info speed speed little difficulty without difficulty difficulty even with
sion -Occasional -Occasional complex questions
repetition or repetition
misunderstanding

Pronunciation -Incomprehen- -Difficult to -Requires -Some pronunciation -Always intelligible, -Slight discernible
sible understand concentration by interference but definite accent accent
-Must repeat listener
frequently to be -May lead to
understood misunderstanding

Grammar/ -Isolated words -Simple -Mostly full -Occasional word -Uses major tenses -Almost no errors in
Sentence word/phrases sentences order/grammar (present, past, use of basic
Structure -Attempts some errors that do not future) easily structures
complex structures obscure meaning

-Limitations -Limited vocab -Answers usually -Occasional use of -Generally fluent, -Uses complex
Fluency make makes brief inappropriate words occasional lapses vocabulary
conversation comprehension -Sometimes or idioms -Uses idioms -Speaks with ease,
virtually difficult hesitates while appropriately fluently and
impossible -Frequent searching for correct accurately
hesitation word or structure
-Slow speaking
speed