Achievement Scale and Interpretation

Pre-Beginner

A1 to low A2

Basic User

4.0 Overall

Writing
By the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. write basic sentences introducing themselves or others and write simple descriptions of people, places, everyday objects, and daily routines
2. write simple descriptions about their and other people’s activities happening at the time of speaking
3. write a short text (6-8 sentences / 50-70 words) about their and other people’s likes, dislikes, abilities, hobbies, and interests
4. use capital letters and basic punctuation appropriately in simple sentences
5. use basic cohesive devices
6. use level-appropriate grammar to produce simple phrases and sentences
7. use level-appropriate vocabulary to communicate meaning

Speaking
By the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. use simple language to express needs and ask questions in the context of classroom communication
2. use simple language to give basic personal information and information about others and to describe people, places and everyday objects
3. use simple language to talk about their own and other people’s daily routines, likes and dislikes, abilities, hobbies, and interests
4. answer simple questions on common everyday topics
5. use basic cohesive devices
6. use level-appropriate grammar to produce simple phrases and sentences
7. use level-appropriate vocabulary to communicate meaning
8. use simple language to describe their and other people’s activities happening at the time of speaking

Pre-Beginner

A1 to low A2

Basic User

4.0 Overall

Reading
By the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. follow commonly used directions for classroom exercises
2. recognize phrases and content words related to personal information and information about others as well as in simple descriptions of people, places and everyday objects
3. recognize phrases and content words in short written texts about people’s daily routines, likes and dislikes, abilities, hobbies and interests
4. identify main ideas and factual and numeric information related to basic personal information as well as in simple descriptions of people, places and everyday objects
5. identify main ideas and factual and numeric information in simple written texts about people’s daily routines, likes and dislikes, abilities, hobbies and interests
6. recognize pronoun referents in simple texts

Listening
By the end of the course the students will be able to:

1. follow basic classroom instructions
2. recognize phrases and content words related to basic personal information as well as in simple descriptions of people, places, and everyday objects
3. recognize phrases and content words in short spoken texts and conversations about people’s daily routines, likes and dislikes, abilities, and hobbies and interests
4. identify main ideas and factual information related to basic personal information as well as in simple descriptions of people, places, and everyday objects
5. identify main ideas and factual information in short spoken texts and conversations about people’s daily routines, likes and dislikes, abilities, hobbies, and interests

Beginner

A2 to low B1

Independent
User

4.5 Overall

Writing
By the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. compose descriptive paragraphs (100-120 words / 8-10 sentences)
2. demonstrate organization of ideas within a paragraph through the use of relevant topic sentence, supporting sentences, and concluding sentence
3. use basic linking devices to sequence, add, and illustrate ideas as well as show cause-effect
4. apply basic formatting
5. use a sufficient amount of level-appropriate vocabulary to produce basic descriptions
6. use grammatical structures to produce simple, complex and compound sentences

Speaking
By the end of the course, the students will be able to:

1. list similarities and differences between people
2. describe personal experiences
3. state their opinion and support it with appropriate examples and details
4. describe theme-related scenes
5. organize their ideas using basic cohesive devices
6. use sufficient level-appropriate vocabulary
7. use appropriate grammatical structures

Beginner

A2 to low B1

Independent
User

4.5 Overall

Reading
By the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. identify the main idea in short reading passages
2. identify the purpose of short reading passages
3. identify specific details in short reading passages
4. make basic inferences or predictions about text content from headings, titles or headlines
5. predict the meaning of vocabulary from context
6. recognize pronoun referents

Listening
By the end of the course the students will be able to:

1. identify main ideas in simple spoken texts on familiar topics
2. identify factual details in simple spoken texts on familiar topics
3. recognize inferences

Intermediate

Low to high B1

Independent
User

5
Overall

Writing
By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. compose developed, cohesive, and coherent opinion and narrative paragraphs on course-related subjects (120- 150 words / 9-12 sentences)
2. prepare a simple outline to organize ideas and information
3. write level-appropriate grammatically and mechanically complete sentences
4. use level-appropriate vocabulary
5. format paragraphs according to basic academic norms

Speaking
By the end of the course, the students will be able to:

1. give effective and well-organized presentations on topics (2- 5 minutes)
2. describe past events and experiences, including feelings and reactions
3. express opinions supported by appropriate examples and details
4. state advantages and disadvantages using simple language
5. demonstrate adequate grammatical knowledge to speak effectively
6. employ level-appropriate collocations and vocabulary

Intermediate

Low to high B1

Independent
User

5
Overall

Reading
By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. distinguish between main ideas and supporting details
2. make simple inferences
3. distinguish fact from opinion
4. derive the meaning of vocabulary from context
5. recognize pronoun referents
6. identify problems-solutions

Listening
By the end of the course, the students will be able to:

1. distinguish the main idea and key details in spoken discourse
2. demonstrate understanding of key vocabulary
3. infer opinions from a simple presentation or conversations
4. demonstrate note-taking skills

Advanced

High B1 to high B2

Independent
User

6
Overall

Writing
By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. write well-constructed and developed paragraphs and essays with appropriate unity, coherence, and cohesion on course-related academic subjects (150+ / 250+ and 12-15 sentences / 4 paragraphs)
2. apply a process approach to writing by brainstorming, outlining, editing and revising
3. use level-appropriate vocabulary and for context
4. write a variety of level-appropriate grammatically and mechanically correct sentence types
5. format writing according to academic norms

Speaking
By the end of the course, the students will be able to:

1. deliver clear, systematically developed presentations on academic subjects with appropriate signaling of main points and relevant supporting details (4 – 6 minutes)
2. apply critical thinking skills to assigned academic topics in order to compare and contrast two or more things
3. apply critical thinking skills to assigned academic topics in order to express and justify opinions
4. use appropriate grammatical structures for the required situation
5.  use level-appropriate collocations and vocabulary

Advanced

High B1 to high B2

Independent
User

6
Overall

Reading
By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. distinguish between main idea and supporting details in a simple academic text
2. interact with a short academic text in order to make contextualized inferences
3. interact with a short academic text in order to recognize fact and opinion  
4. use context clues to understand vocabulary
5. recognize pronoun referents

Listening
By the end of the course, the students will be able to:

1. employ listening strategies to recognize the main idea and supporting details
2. employ listening strategies to sequence events in chronological order
3. demonstrate understanding of relevant vocabulary
4. employ listening strategies to make inferences or infer the speaker’s purpose
5. employ listening strategies to demonstrate comprehension by paraphrasing and summarizing

Study Skills I

(Taken simultaneously with Intermediate – level English)

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the students will:

1. employ basic functions of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint for class assignments and projects, specifically academic paragraphs and emails
2. recognize internal and external motivations and set goals which can lead to academic success
3. use time management strategies to prioritize coursework and study time over personal life
4. demonstrate the ability to take notes and organize notes and assignments into folders
5. select reading strategies to improve learning and comprehension
6. apply basic typing skills with a goal of achieving at least 30 words per minute with moderate accuracy
7. apply basic strategies for taking tests of varying question styles, such as multiple-choice, short answers, and essays

Study Skills II

(Taken simultaneously with Advanced-level English)

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. demonstrate basic computer literacy including word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and email systems using Microsoft Office
2. identify strategies for effective group work and team building to promote communication and collaboration
3. apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to find and evaluate sources of information
4. apply basic APA formatting to papers and assignments
5. define academic honesty, recognize instances of plagiarism, and take steps to take to avoid academic dishonesty
6. identify first semester Core courses by following the degree plan for their major
7. list the benefits of working/studying in a diverse environment

A or A+

B or B+

C or C+

D or D+ or F

Students who receive this grade have scores of 90–100%, They have largely mastered the level’s student learning outcomes. They advance to the next level or Core university courses.

Students who receive this grade have scores of 80–89%. They have a good command of student learning outcomes. They advance to the next level or Core university courses, but may need to focus on a few areas to increase likelihood of excelling at the next level.

Students who receive this grade have scores of 70– 79%. They have a generally sufficient mastery of student learning outcomes. They advance to the next level or Core university courses. They have essential skills but should continue to review some skills, vocabulary, and grammar in order to do well at the next level.

Students who receive this grade have scores of 60–69% (D or D+) or 0-59% (F). They have insufficient mastery to succeed in the next level. They do not advance to the next level or Core university courses.

IELTS is the International English Language Testing System, an international, standardized test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers. Bandwidths (levels) range from 0 to 9. 4 = Limited User 5 = Modest User 6 = Competent User

The CEFR is the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, a system used to describe learners’ language achievements at six levels from beginner to advanced. The levels are labeled A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2. Prep uses four levels from A1 (beginner) to B2 (independent user.) CEFR Level Descriptors are adapted from: CEFR Global Scale - Table 1 (CEFR 3.3) Common Reference Levels

A1 Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

A2 Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, and employment/university). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.

B1 Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

B2 Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.