ALTE Can Do Statements: A1 Breakthrough level

CEFR Listening/Speaking Reading Writing

LEVELS
CAN understand basic CAN complete basic
Overall CAN understand basic
instructions or take part in a forms, and write notes
general basic factual conversation on a
notices, instructions or
including times, dates
ability information
predictable topic and places
Social and CAN understand simple
tourist notices and information,
CAN leave a very
typical CAN ask simple questions of a for example in airports, on
simple message for a
abilities factual nature and understand store guides and on
host family or write
answers expressed in simple menus. CAN understand
short simple 'thank you'
language. simple instructions on
notes.
medicines and simple
directions to places.
Work CAN take and pass on simple CAN understand short CAN write a simple
typical messages of a routine kind, reports or product routine request to a
abilities such as 'Friday meeting 10 descriptions on familiar colleague, such as
am'. matters, if these are 'Can I have 20X
expressed in simple please?'.
language
Study CAN understand basic
CAN copy dates and
typical instructions on class times,
CAN read basic notices places from notices on
abilities dates and room numbers, and
and instructions. classroom board or
on assignments to be carried
notice board.
out.

ALTE Can Do Statements: A2 Waystage

CEFR Listening/Speaking Reading Writing
LEVELS
CAN understand
straightforward
CAN complete forms
information within a
Overall CAN express simple opinions and write short simple
known area, such as on
general or requirements in a familiar
products and signs and
letters or postcards
ability context. related to personal
simple textbooks or
information.
reports on familiar
matters.
Social and CAN understand
tourist straightforward
CAN express likes and dislikes
typical information, for example CAN complete most
in familiar contexts using
abilities labels on food, standard forms related to
simple language such as 'I
menus, road signs and personal information.
(don't) like...'.
messages on automatic
cash machines.
Work CAN understand most
CAN write a short,
typical short reports or manuals
CAN state simple requirements comprehensive note of
abilities of a predictable nature
within own job area, such as 'I request to a colleague
within his/her own area of
want to order 25 of...'. or a known contact in
expertise, provided
another company.
enough time is given.
Study CAN understand the
CAN write a very short
typical CAN express simple opinions general meaning of a
simple narrative or
abilities using expressions such as 'I simplified text book or
description, such as
don't agree'. article, reading very
'My last holiday'.
slowly.
 ALTE Can Do Statements: B1 Threshold
CEFR Listening/Speaking Reading Writing
LEVELS
CAN express opinions on
CAN understand routine
abstract/cultural matters in a
Overall information and articles, CAN write letters or
limited way or offer advice
general within a known area, and
and the general meaning make notes on familiar
ability of non-routine information or predictable matters.
understand instructions or
within a familiar area.
public announcements.
Social and CAN write letters on a
tourist CAN understand factual limited range of
CAN express opinions on
typical articles in newspapers, predictable topics
abstract/cultural matters in a
abilities routine letters from hotels related to personal
limited way and pick up
and letters expressing experience and
nuances of meaning/opinion.
personal opinions. express opinions in
predictable language.
Work CAN make reasonably
CAN understand the
typical accurate notes at a
CAN offer advice to clients general meaning of non-
abilities meeting or seminar
within own job area on simple routine letters and
where the subject
matters. theoretical articles within
matter is familiar and
own work area.
predictable.
Study CAN understand basic
typical instructions and CAN write down some
CAN understand instructions
abilities messages, for example information at a lecture,
on classes and assignments
computer library if this is more or less
given by a teacher or lecturer.
catalogues, with some dictated.
help.

ALTE Can Do Statements: B2 Vantage

CEFR Listening/Speaking Reading Writing
LEVELS
CAN follow or give a talk on a CAN scan texts for CAN make notes while
Overall
familiar topic or keep up a relevant information, and someone is talking or
general conversation on a fairly wide understand detailed write a letter including
ability range of topics. instructions or advice. non-standard requests.
Social and CAN understand detailed
CAN write to a hotel to
tourist information, for example a
CAN keep up a conversation ask about the
typical wide range of culinary
on a fairly wide range of topics, availability of services,
abilities terms on a restaurant
such as personal and for example facilities for
menu, and terms and
professional experiences, the disabled or the
abbreviations in
events currently in the news. provision of a special
accommodation
diet.
advertisements.
Work CAN understand most
CAN take and pass on most
typical correspondence, reports CAN deal with all
messages that are likely to
abilities and factual product routine requests for
require attention during a
literature he/she is likely goods or services.
normal working day.
to come across.
Study CAN make simple
CAN give a clear presentation
typical CAN scan tests for notes that will be of
on a familiar topic, and answer
abilities relevant information and reasonable use for
predictable or factual
grasp main point of text. essay or revision
questions.
purposes.
 ALTE Can Do Statements: C1 Effective Operational Proficiency
CEFR Listening/Speaking Reading Writing
LEVELS
CAN contribute effectively to CAN read quickly enough CAN prepare/draft
meetings and seminars within to cope with an academic professional
own area of work or keep up a course, to read the media correspondence, take
Overall
casual conversation with a for information or to reasonably accurate
general good degree of fluency, coping understand non-standard notes in meetings or
ability with abstract expressions. correspondence. write an essay which
shows an ability to
communicate.
Social and CAN keep up conversations of CAN write letters on
tourist a casual nature for an CAN understand complex most subjects. Such
typical extended period of time and opinions/arguments as difficulties as the
abilities discuss abstract/cultural topics expressed in serious reader may experience
with a good degree of fluency newspapers. are likely to be at the
and range of expression. level of vocabulary.
Work CAN handle a wide
typical range of routine and
CAN contribute effectively to CAN understand
abilities non-routine situations
meetings and seminars within correspondence
in which professional
own area of work and argue for expressed in non-
services are requested
or against a case. standard language.
from colleague or
external contacts.
Study CAN write an essay
CAN follow abstract
typical CAN read quickly enough which shows ability to
argumentation, for example the
abilities to cope with the demands communicate, giving
balancing of alternatives and
of an academic course. few difficulties for the
the drawing a conclusion.
reader.

ALTE Can Do Statements: C2 Mastery

CEFR Listening/Speaking Reading Writing
LEVELS
CAN advise on or talk about CAN understand CAN write letters on
complex or sensitive issues, documents, any subject and full
Overall
understanding colloquial correspondence and notes of meetings or
general references and dealing reports, including the finer seminars with good
ability confidently with hostile points of complex texts. expression and
questions. accuracy.
Social and CAN talk about complex or CAN (when looking for CAN write letters on
tourist sensitive issues without accommodation) any subject with good
typical awkwardness. understand a tenancy expression and
abilities agreement in detail, for accuracy.
example technical details
and the main legal
implications.
Work CAN advise on/handle complex CAN understand reports CAN make full
typical delicate or contentious issues, and articles likely to be
andaccurate notes and
abilities such as legal or financial encountered during
matters, to the extent that his/her work, including continue to participate
he/she has the necessary complex ideas expressed
in a meeting or
specialist knowledge. in complex language.
seminar.
Study CAN understand jokes, CAN access all sources of CAN make accurate
typical colloquial asides and cultural and complete notes
information quickly and
abilities allusions. during the course of a
reliably lecture, seminar or
tutorial.