Speaker Native

High Advance AdvanceLow Advance

e High Intermediat
e Intermediat
e Low IntermediatHigh Novice

Novice Novice Low

Rubric

Pronunciatio
n

Grammar/
Sentence
Structure

Vocabulary

Listening

Conversationa
l

He
cannot
pronounce
words properly.
Native speakers
may
not

He uses isolated words

within very predictable
range.
Grammatical
order is completely out
of order.

He needs to focus
on
weak
vocabulary usage.

He
makes no
attempt
to
understand or is
completely
incomprehensive.

He uses English
occasionally
and
would
not
be
understood by a
native speaker. In

He
can
pronounce most
single
words
correctly.
Though native

He uses isolated words

with heavy reliance on
memorized phrases. He
has little knowledge of
grammar.

He often uses
vocabulary
not
enough for the
simplest
conversations.

He
may
only
understand
too
little
for
the
simplest type of
conversation.

His speech is so
halting
and
fragmentary
that
conversation
is
virtually impossible.

His
native
accent is very
much present.
Native speakers
may still have

He only speaks in
words/phrases.
He
commits
consistent
errors in grammar that
strain intended meaning.

The
way
he
speaks English is
majorly affected by
his
native
language.
(i.e.,

He
may have
been very difficult
to hear. He failed
to answer some
questions

He
tries
to
conjugate Korean
and
English
words/phrases
in
his
sentences.

He can mimic
the
teachers
pronunciation
when
done
slowly. But has

He can construct simple

sentences, but in wrong
order.
Grammatical
errors were severely

Communication
was
severely
hampered due to
lack of vocabulary.

He can listen to
teachers
instructions when
spoken slowly. He
understands

He has difficulty
constructing
sentences.
He
struggles
at
explaining his/her

He
can
pronounce
almost
every
word correctly.
Though he still

He also uses some

common
sentence
patterns
in
speaking/answering.
Grammatical errors led

He
has
some
choice of good
vocabulary. He can
understand familiar
expressions
but

He
understands
careful, somewhat
simplified speech
when engaged in
conversations.

He is now a bit
confident in using
the language. He is
participative
in
speaking
English

He has some
prominent
English accent.
Native speakers
occasionally

He has almost perfect

his sentence structure.
He uses gerunds &
infinitives,
perfect

He
has
good
choice
of
vocabulary/expres
sions. Though, a

His listening is
pretty much used
to native English
speakers.
He

He
has
built
confidence to speak
English. But shows
some breaks in flow

He can answer in correct

sentence structure. He
can do self- corrections.
However, he may have

He is very much
familiar
with
different

He can get the

hidden
meaning
(connotation/denot

He is prepared to
have a conversation
regarding any topic.
He is able to

He speaks in complex
sentences with clauses.
(with conjunctions) (ex:

Vocabulary studied
in class was used
to express ideas

He
has
very
adjusted listening
skills. He is highly
familiar
with

He can manipulate
the
conversation.
He shows relatively
smooth
flow
of

He is excellent.
His
pronunciation is
clear and easy
to understand,

He uses variety of
sentence structure with
no patterns of failure.

He uses a rich and

broad range of
vocabulary
that
suits
different

He
understands
everything
in
normal educated
conversation
except

His
speech
is
effortless
and
continuous,
and
able to comfortably
lead a conversation

He
has
neutralized
pronunciation,
with no
Trace
of

He uses a variety of
sentence structure with
no patterns of failure. He
uses all tenses, active &
passive, all progressive

His vocabulary is
as accurate and
extensive as that
of
a
native

He
understands
everything in both
formal
and
colloquial speech
to be expected of

His speech on all

professional
and
general topics is as
effortless
and
smooth as a native

10

His accent is
almost
neutralized. He
is quite good
and easy to

ORAL PROFICIENCY DESCRIPTION

Level 1
The Student has very little knowledge of the proper forms of English. Has very limited English vocabulary, is
grasping for words and is having a difficult time understanding most of the questions and terms. Teacher needs to
repeat questions and, if necessary, provide choices. Has very little or sometimes no intonation at all. But could
improve stocks of vocabulary and communicative skills if would enroll in a phone English class.

Level 2
The Student has minimal skills in using English. However, his sentence structure is still of the broken English type or
structure that follows his native language construction. Native intonation is very much audible and he may not be
very much aware of it. He could hardly understand questions asked and therefore he gives a different response.
Teacher has to make sample sentences made simpler for him. Though if there will be continuous participation in an
on-line English class where he can talk to an English speaker, he would be able to improve his stocks of vocabulary
and communicative skills.

Level 3

The Student has basic skills in English communication discussing simple everyday topics. Native intonation in his
speech is still present and it may still be difficult to understand. Speech continues to consist of learned utterances
rather than of personalized. His sentences are lacking in structure. His pronunciation, intonation, vocabulary and
communicative fluency will be greatly enhanced through constant interaction with English speakers.

Level 4
The Student has a good knowledge base of English Grammar rules although when left alone has difficulty. Native
language intonation in his speech is still audible and pronounced, but he can already recognize proper English
intonation. He is able to communicate using simple sentence structures. He recognizes simple and familiar thought
groups or phrases. A phone class is more fitting for a busy person like him. Doing so, will definitely enrich his
vocabulary, enhance his conversational skills and improve his diction or his enunciation of English words.

Level 5
The Student can hold simple conversations in an arranged normal setting though he still hesitates while speaking. His
intonation in native language is still present though there is already a presence of appropriate English intonation
markers noticeable in simple statements and questions. He recognizes simple and familiar thought groups or phrases
but has difficulty recognizing medium to difficult. Continued interaction with an English speaker will enable him to
improve his communicative skill which includes grammar and enunciation of English words. In addition, his accent
which is tinged with the native tongue will be fine-tuned.

Level 6

The Student has considerable amount of confidence and has some awareness of personal difficulties in the use of the
language. English is used as a tool for conversation and his confidence level is pronounced. He can hold a
conversation much longer even with difficult or heavy topics though with occasional grammatical errors. Repetitions
are done once occasionally for him to be able to recognize and give his response to the question. He needs

conversation practice in a phone English context to help improve communicative skill. In addition, his accent which is
still a bit tinged with the native tongue will be fine-tuned.

Level 7
The Student is able to use English as a tool of communication and he also has a good command of the language and
vocabulary, although he sometimes still commits grammar inaccuracies. He commits pronunciation errors only in
difficult words. He uses more medium to difficult vocabulary words. He can correct his own mistakes and makes an
effort to be more aware of the problems encountered. His pronunciation, intonation, vocabulary and communicative
fluency will be greatly enhanced by constant interaction with English speakers.

Level 8
The Student has a good working knowledge of the language. He can communicate well in various complicated
situations in a second language environment and can make appropriate input in a conversation when necessary.
Intonation and pronunciation is still not as good as can be expected but the student is already aware and can actually
correct own mistakes. Though still faces some confusion in difficult words. Constant interaction with native speakers
would maintain communication skills.

Level 9
The Student can match wits with the fluent English speaker even though won't be taken as a native speaker. Blended
words and complex sentences are already easy for the student to comprehend. Can understand the hidden meaning
of Western humor and even match the humor. With constant practice and more interaction with native speakers, the
student can adapt to any English speaking environment without hitches.

Level 10

The Student is comfortable in using the language in a spontaneous conversation. He can communicate in situations or
discussions that may involve intellectual participation. Native speakers can easily understand the student because of
the strong vocabulary and syntax used. Has a highly developed listening skill. He is able to follow the speed of a
native speaker and is able to recognize proper English intonation and pronunciation. He needs to continue having
meaningful discourse with an English speaker to maintain communicative skill.