Teach english new edition r

—I Bi -------
B2
fa se 
elem entary 
pre­
beginners 
intermediate
Ci
advanced
I
--------- C2
upper
intermediate
Terms for different student levels (and ALTE levels)
W hat do these levels mean, in practice, for the students? If they are at level BI, for example, 
how can their abilities be described? ALTE has produced ‘can do’ statements to try to make 
this clear, as the example on page 18 for the skill of writing demonstrates (Al is at the left, 
C2 at the right).
ALTE levels and ‘can do’ statements (alongside the more traditional terms we have 
m entioned) are being used increasingly by coursebook writers and curriculum designers, 
not only in Europe but across m uch of the language-learning world.
17

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Chapter 1
Can complete
Can complete
Can write letters
Can make notes
Can prepare/
Can write letters
basic forms
forms and
or make notes
while someone
draft
on any subject
and write notes
write short
on familiar or
is talking or
professional
and full notes
including times,
simple letters
predictable
write a letter
correspondence,
of meetings or
dates and
or postcards
matters.
including
take reasonably
seminars with
places.
related to
non-standard
accurate notes
good expression
personal
questions.
in meetings or
or accuracy.
information.
write an essay 
which shows 
an ability to 
communicate.
ALTE ‘can do’ statements for writing
However, two points are worth making: the ALTE standards are just one way of measuring 
proficiency. ESL standards were developed by the 
TESOL 
organisation in the US (see 
chapter notes), and many exam systems have their own level descriptors. We also need to 
rem ember that students’ abilities within any particular level may be varied too (i.e. they 
may be m uch better at speaking than writing, for example).
If we rem ind ourselves that terms such as 
beginner
and 
intermediate
are rough guides 
only (in other words, unlike the ALTE levels, they do not say exactly what the students can 
do), then we are in a position to make broad generalisations about the different levels:
Beginners
Success is easy to see at this level, and easy for the teacher to arrange. But then so is failure! 
Some adult beginners find that language learning is more stressful than they expected 
and reluctantly give up. However, if things are going well, teaching beginners can be 
incredibly stimulating. The pleasure of being able to see our part in our students’ success 
is invigorating.