Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The Interagency Language Roundtable scale is a set of descriptions of abilities to communicate in a language. It
is the standard grading scale for language proficiency in the United States's Federal-level service. It was originally
developed by the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR), which included representation by United States Foreign
Service Institute, the predecessor of the National Foreign Affairs Training Center (NFATC).
The scale grades people's language proficiency on a scale of 0-5. The designation 0+, 1+, 2+, 3+, or 4+ is assigned
when proficiency substantially exceeds one skill level but does not fully meet the criteria for the next level. Thus the
scale totals 11 possible grades.
Grades may be assigned separately for different skills such as reading, speaking, listening, writing, translation, audio
translation, interpretation, and intercultural communication. For some of these skills, the level may be referred to with
an abbreviation, for example, S-1 for Speaking Level 1.
Contents
ILR scale
ILR Level 0 – No proficiency
ILR Level 1 – Elementary proficiency
ILR Level 2 – Limited working proficiency
ILR Level 3 – Professional working proficiency
ILR Level 4 – Full professional proficiency
ILR Level 5 – Native or bilingual proficiency
Equivalence with the European language proficiency scale CEFR
See also
References
External links
ILR scale
able to speak the language with sufficient structural accuracy and vocabulary to participate effectively in most
conversations on practical, social, and professional topics
can discuss particular interests and special fields of competence with reasonable ease
has comprehension which is quite complete for a normal rate of speech
has a general vocabulary which is broad enough that he or she rarely has to search for a word
has an accent which may be obviously foreign; has a good control of grammar; and whose errors virtually never
interfere with understanding and rarely disturb the native speaker
Individuals classified at level 3 are able to use the language as part of normal professional duties and can reliably elicit
information and informed opinion from native speakers; examples include answering objections, clarifying points,
stating and defending policy, conducting meetings, and reading with almost complete comprehension a variety of
prose material on familiar and unfamiliar topics such as news reports, routine correspondence, and technical material
in trained fields of competence.[1]
able to use the language fluently and accurately on all levels and as normally pertinent to professional needs
can understand and participate in any conversations within the range of own personal and professional
experience with a high degree of fluency and precision of vocabulary
would rarely be taken for a native speaker, but can respond appropriately even in unfamiliar grounds or situations
makes only quite rare and minor errors of pronunciation and grammar
can handle informal interpreting of the language
Individuals classified at level 4 are able to understand the details and ramifications of concepts that are culturally or
conceptually different from their own language and can set the tone of interpersonal official, semi-official and non-
professional verbal exchanges with a representative range of native speakers; examples include playing an effective
role among native speakers in contexts such as conferences, lectures and debates on matters of disagreement, as well
as advocating a position at length. While proficiency may match that of an educated native speaker, the individual is
not necessarily perceived as culturally native due to occasional weaknesses in idioms, colloquialisms, slang, and
cultural references.[1]
See also
List of language proficiency tests
Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills
Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, the European language-proficiency scale
Defense Language Proficiency Tests
Interagency Language Roundtable
Second language
Second-language acquisition
Studies in Language Testing (SiLT)
Task-based language learning
Wikipedia:Babel (originating at Commons:Babel), a similar, though informal, 0–5 language scale
References
1. Interagency Language Roundtable Language Skill Level Descriptions (http://www.govtilr.org/skills/ILRscale2.htm)
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
2. "Understanding the TEF Results: Level Breakdown and Equivalencies" (https://web.archive.org/web/2014011612
3131/http://www.aucp.org/sous_pages/aix/Students_Aix_docs/TEF_Levels_and_Equivalencies.pdf) (PDF).
Archived from the original (http://www.aucp.org/sous_pages/aix/Students_Aix_docs/TEF_Levels_and_Equivalenci
es.pdf) (PDF) on 2014-01-16. Retrieved 2017-11-28. "**ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign
Languages) and ILR (Interagency Language Roundtable) estimated equivalencies provided by a certified ACTFL
administrator."
External links
ILR scale description from the official site (http://www.govtilr.org/Skills/IRL%20Scale%20History.htm)
Foreign language proficiency scale (http://www.sil.org/lingualinks/LANGUAGELEARNING/MangngYrLnggLrnngPr
grm/TheILRFSIProficiencyScale.htm)
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using
this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia
Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.