YOUNG LEARNERS

THE GLOBAL SCALE OF ENGLISH IN ACTION

The Global Scale of English is transforming English teaching and learning, offering
a granular, real-world measure of English language proficiency across the four skills.
Some examples of what a learner can do on the GSE scale:

+ +
CEFR <A1 A1 A2 B1
GSE
10 20 30 40 50

Listening
10 19 26 34 43

Can recognise the Can recognise familiar Can identify a caller’s Can identify specific Can identify key
letters of the alphabet words in short phrases and name and phone number information in short, information in a short
by their sounds sentences spoken slowly from a short, simple simple dialogues, if there commentary on a
and clearly, if supported by telephone conversation is some repetition and sporting event
pictures or gestures rephrasing

13 23 30 37 53

Can follow short, basic Can understand the time Can identify people in their Can understand simple Can identify the
classroom instructions, of day when expressed to immediate surroundings or in directions on how to purpose of a recorded
if supported by pictures the quarter hour pictures from a short, simple get somewhere by public advertisement
or gestures description of where they are transport, with reference
and what they are doing to a map

Reading
10 27 36 40 49

Can recognise the Can understand the Can follow instructions Can understand short, Can distinguish
letters of the alphabet information in a simple and feedback in a simple texts giving between fact and
in upper and lower case school timetable giving computer game information about important opinion in a simple text
days and times of classes places in a town, with the
support of a map

24 33 38 43 52

Can understand basic Can identify key Can follow simple Can use an index to Can connect the
sentences naming information in short, recipes, if supported locate key information information in a text with
familiar everyday items, if simple factual texts by pictures in a text the information given in
supported by pictures from the headings and charts, graphs or diagrams
illustrations

GSE 10 20 30 40 50
+ +
CEFR <A1 A1 A2 B1

For more information on the GSE visit English.com/gse

and to collaborate in young learner projects visit English.com/young-learners
 YOUNG LEARNERS
THE GLOBAL SCALE OF ENGLISH IN ACTION
The Global Scale of English is transforming English teaching and learning, offering
a granular, real-world measure of English language proficiency across the four skills.
Some examples of what a learner can do on the GSE scale:

+ +
CEFR <A1 A1 A2 B1
GSE
10 20 30 40 50

Speaking
11 20 25 33 44

Can introduce Can use formal titles Can give a phone Can express surprise Can describe
themselves using a basic (e.g. ‘Mr’, ‘Mrs’) to show number using standard or shock, using a simple similarities between
phrase (e.g. ‘My name’s ...’) politeness when speaking conventions fixed expression. people’s appearance in
to adults they don’t know some detail

16 22 30 36 54

Can recite a short, simple Can say how they feel, Can say how they and Can describe weather Can retell the main
rhyme or chant using a limited range of others get to school every conditions in their points of an extended
common adjectives (e.g. day in a simple way country using simple story in their own words
‘happy’, ‘cold’) language

Writing
10 23 31 40 47

Can write their own Can complete simple Can write simple Can write short, simple Can signal direct
name with the correct forms with basic sentences about what they personal emails/letters speech in connected
use of capital letters personal details and others are wearing, about familiar topics, given text using speech
given prompts or a model prompts or a model marks, given a model

16 28 35 44 54

Can label simple Can write lists for Can write short, basic Can write short, simple Can describe the steps
pictures related to specific purposes (e.g. descriptions of everyday notices giving information in a simple technical
familiar topics by copying shopping lists, gift lists) activities, given prompts about events or activities process, clearly
single words using memorised words, or a model (e.g. place, time, day) signalling the sequence
if supported by pictures using appropriate layout, of actions
given a model

GSE 10 20 30 40 50
+ +
CEFR <A1 A1 A2 B1

For more information on the GSE visit English.com/gse

and to collaborate in young learner projects visit English.com/young-learners