Beginning ESL Literacy
Test benchmark:
CASAS (all): 180 and below
SPL (Speaking) 0-1
SPL (Reading and Writing) 0-1
Oral BEST: 0-15
BEST Plus: 400 and below
Literacy BEST: 0-7 |
Individual cannot speak or understand English, or understands only isolated
words or phrases. |
Individual has no or minimal reading or writing skills in any language.
May have little or no comprehension of how print corresponds to spoken
language and may have difficulty using a writing instrument. |
Individual functions minimally or not at all in English and can communicate
only through gestures or a few isolated words, such as name and other personal
information; may recognize only common signs or symbols (e.g., stop sign,
product logos); can handle only very routine entry-level jobs that do not
require oral or written communication in English. There is no knowledge
or use of computers or technology. |
Beginning ESL
Test benchmark:
CASAS (all): 181-200
SPL (Speaking) 2-3
SPL (Reading and Writing) 2-4
Oral BEST 16-41
BEST Plus: 401-438
Literacy BEST: 8-46 |
Individual can understand frequently used words in context and very simple
phrases spoken slowly and with some repetition; there is little communicative
output and only in the most routine situations; little or no control over
basic grammar; survival needs can be communicated simply, and there is
some understanding of simple questions. |
Individual can recognize, read and write numbers and letters, but has
a limited understanding of connected prose and may need frequent re-reading;
can write a limited number of basic sight words and familiar words and
phrases; may also be able to write simple sentences or phrases, including
very simple messages. Can write basic personal information. Narrative writing
is disorganized and unclear; inconsistently uses simple punctuation (e.g.,
periods, commas, question marks); contains frequent errors in spelling. |
Individual functions with difficulty in situations related to immediate
needs and in limited social situations; has some simple oral communication
abilities using simple learned and repeated phrases; may need frequent
repetition; can provide personal information on simple forms; can recognize
common forms of print found in the home and environment, such as labels
and product names; can handle routine entry level jobs that require only
the most basic written or oral English communication and in which job tasks
can be demonstrated. There is minimal knowledge or experience using computers
or technology. |
Low Intermediate ESL
Test benchmark:
CASAS (all): 201-210
SPL (Speaking) 4
SPL (Reading and Writing) 5
Oral BEST: 42-50
BEST Plus: 439-472
Literacy BEST: 47-53 |
Individual can understand simple learned phrases and limited new phrases
containing familiar vocabulary spoken slowly with frequent repetition;
can ask and respond to questions using such phrases; can express basic
survival needs and participate in some routine social conversations, although
with some difficulty;
has some control of basic grammar. |
Individual can read simple material on familiar subjects and comprehend
simple and compound sentences in single or linked paragraphs containing
a familiar vocabulary; can write simple notes and messages on familiar
situations, but lacks clarity and focus. Sentence structure lacks variety,
but shows some control of basic grammar (e.g., present and past tense),
and consistent use of
punctuation (e.g., periods, capitalization). |
Individual can interpret simple directions and schedules, signs and maps;
can fill out simple forms, but needs support on some documents that are
not simplified; can handle routine entry level jobs that involve some written
or oral English communication, but in which job tasks can be demonstrated.
Individual can use simple computer programs and can perform a sequence
of routine tasks given directions using technology (e.g., fax machine,
computer). |