CAN-DO LEVELS TABLE

The descriptions below are intended to serve as guidelines to understanding the competence reflected by the corresponding scores and apply in most
cases. The levels (0 to 3+) have been developed from the scale used by the Foreign Service Institute and the Inter-Agency Language Roundtable.

PART 1: L ISTENING S ECTION + PART 2: R EADING S ECTION

Listening Reading LEVELS
Score Listening Speaking Score Reading Writing TOTAL SCORES
Can : Can : Can : Can :
• understand mother-tongue speakers of English • conduct meetings with mother-tongue speakers • read adequately for most professional needs • write effectively, both formally and informally; 3/3+
in meetings of English however, work for publication will still require General Professional
• read highly technical manuals in own area Proficiency
455-495 • function in all of the situations described below • perform all of the below with a greater degree 455-495 review
• read all of the below... (>960 Advanced)
whether professional or social, concerning con- of ease... • produce the documents described below with-
905 - 990
crete or abstract subjects out undue difficulty
• understand most work related situations • satisfy most work requirements • read most types of documents with varying • write an employment application
• understand most speakers of English in inter- • conduct a job interview in own area of exper- degrees of ease • write a letter of complaint 2+
national meetings tise • read even highly-technical subjects with little • write the documents below with increasing Advanced Working
• function in all of the situations described • sustain fluency, accuracy and appropriate regis- use of dictionary degrees of accuracy and ease
395-450 395-450 Proficiency
below but with a greater degree of facility and ter in known situations • experience difficulties with sophisticated 785 - 900
accuracy menus, novels...
…understand: • adapt language use for different audiences in • read with only the occasional use of a dictio- • write with some effort:
• explanations of work problems most cases nary: - letters to potential clients
- technical manuals
2
• requests for products on phone • make short (30 minute) formal presentations if - 5 page formal reports
prepared - many news articles Basic Working
305-390 305-390 - summaries of meetings
• discussions of current events by mother-tongue Proficiency
• discuss topics of general interest using non- - popular novels - job application letters
speakers of English 605 - 780
elaborate structures • identify inconsistencies in points of view
• headline news on radio

…understand:- • describe own job responsibilities and academic • understand basic technical manuals for • write with some difficulty:
• explanations related to routine work tasks in background beginners - short memos 1+
one to one situations • discuss past and future projects • use a dictionary to understand more highly - letters of complaint
205-300 205-300 technical documents Intermediate
• some travel announcements • make travel arrangements over the phone - descriptions of processes 405 - 600
• limited social conversations • read agenda for a meeting • fill out simple application forms

• understand simple exchanges in everyday pro- • produce simple if hesitant language adequate • use a directory • write short notes, directions and lists with
fessional or personal life with a person used to for elementary functions with patient listeners: • understand simple instructions difficulty 1
speaking with non mother-tongue speakers introductions, directions, requesting informa- • not fill out forms, write detailed memos, letters
130-200 130-200 • read simple, standardized business correspon- Elementary
• take simple phone messages tion, ordering food... or reports
dence 255 - 400

• understand adequately for immediate survival • name objects, colors, clothes, people, days, • understand odd words e.g. shop names • write odd words, formulaic language
needs, directions, prices... months, dates, & give the time • read simple memos and menus, train or bus • not write creative sentences 0/0+
05-125 • comprehend simple questions in social situa- • only reproduce formulaic language - telegraphic 05-125 schedules, traffic signs... Novice
tions style 10 - 250

Don’t forget to enclose a copy of this chart when communicating your score or your CV.
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09/2000
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