Language Proficiency Levels

What is Language Proficiency?

Proficiency is the ability to use language in real-world situations in a spontaneous interaction and non-rehearsed context. Proficiency describes a student’s ability to use the language in all types of situations, with regard to topics that may or may not be familiar and in contexts that may or may not have been encountered previously.(from ACTFL)

What assessment do we use to measure student proficiency level?

Language proficiency is typically assessed through standardized assessments that measure these skills across various contexts. In 1st through 8th grade, Global Village Academy students take the STAMP (Standards-based Measurement of Proficiency) test annually to evaluate their proficiency in the immersion language across four domains: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. Additional assessments may be administered at different GVA schools throughout the year to monitor student progress.

What do the different proficiency levels mean?

To be rated at a level, the individual must consistently meet all of the criteria for that level. Learners at the novice level can communicate on familiar topics using words, phrases, and simple sentences that have been memorized. Learners at the intermediate level can create with language and handle social interactions in everyday life.

Please see the chart below for a more detailed description of each level.

Proficiency Level	Student Ability	Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing
Novice Low	Just starting to learn the language; uses isolated words and simple expressions.	Uses single words or short, memorized phrases.	Recognizes a few familiar words and phrases.	Can identify letters, symbols, or a few isolated words.	Writes letters, symbols, or a few isolated words.
Novice Mid	Beginning to form simple phrases and sentences; relies heavily on memorized language.	Produces simple phrases or sentences with effort.	Understands familiar words and basic phrases with repetition.	Can recognize and read familiar words and simple phrases.	Writes simple phrases or short sentences using familiar vocabulary.
Novice High	Able to communicate using phrases and short sentences; can handle simple conversations on familiar topics.	Can create simple sentences and engage in basic conversations.	Understands the main idea in short, simple messages on familiar topics.	Can understand short, simple texts on familiar topics.	Writes simple sentences and can describe basic information.
Intermediate Low	Starting to create with language, but still relies on memorized expressions; can handle limited conversations.	Participates in short, straightforward conversations on familiar topics.	Understands the main idea in simple messages and conversations.	Can understand simple texts with familiar vocabulary.	Writes short sentences and simple paragraphs about familiar topics.
Intermediate Mid	Can handle everyday situations; begins to express more detailed ideas and engage in conversations.	Engages in longer conversations about familiar topics.	Understands the main idea and some details in conversations.	Reads and comprehends longer texts with familiar content.	Writes paragraphs and short texts with more detail.
Intermediate High	Approaching more complex communication, can narrate and describe in past, present, and future tenses.	Can sustain conversations and discuss a variety of topics in some detail.	Understands the main ideas and details in more complex messages.	Can understand texts on familiar topics with increased detail.	Writes longer, connected paragraphs and starts to express more complex ideas.