Document C3 Elaborated descriptive scales used in the advisory feedback section of DIALANG

A1

A2

B1

What types

Very short, simple

Texts on familiar,

Straightforward factual texts on subjects

of text I

texts, typically short,

concrete matters.

related to my field of interest.

understand

simple descriptions,

Short, simple texts e.g.

Everyday material, e.g. letters, brochures

especially if they

routine personal and

and short official documents.

contain pictures.

business letters and

Straightforward newspaper articles on

Short, simple written

faxes, most everyday

familiar subjects and descriptions of

instructions e.g. short

signs and notices,

events.

simple postcards,

Yellow Pages,

Clearly written argumentative texts.

simple notices.

advertisements.

Personal letters expressing feelings and

wishes.

Clearly written, straightforward

instructions for a piece of equipment.

What I

Familiar names,

Understand short,

Understand straightforward factual

understand

words, basic phrases.

simple texts.

language.

Find specific

Understand clearly written general

information in simple

argumentation (but not necessarily all

everyday material.

details).

Understand straightforward instructions.

Find general information I need in

everyday material.

Locate specific information by searching

one long or several different texts.

Conditions

Single phrase at a

Restricted mainly to

Ability to identify main conclusions and

and

time, re-reading part

common everyday

follow argument restricted to

limitations

of text.

language and language

straightforward texts.

related to my job.

B2

C1

C2

Correspondence relating to my field of

Wide range of long, complex

Wide range of long and

interest.

texts from social,

complex texts – practically

Longer texts, including specialised articles

professional or academic life.

all forms of written

outside my field and highly specialised

Complex instructions on a

language.

sources within my field.

new unfamiliar machine or

Abstract, structurally

Articles and reports on contemporary

procedure outside my area.

complex, or highly colloquial

problems with particular viewpoints.

literary and non-literary

writings.

Understanding aided by broad active

Identify fine points of detail

Understand subtleties of

reading vocabulary, difficulty with less

including attitudes and

style and meaning which are

common phrases and idioms and with

opinions which are not

both implicitly and explicitly

terminology.

explicitly stated.

stated.

Understand the essential meaning of

Understand in detail

correspondence in my field, and specialised

complex texts, including fine

articles outside my field (with dictionary).

points of detail, attitudes

Obtain information, ideas and opinions

and opinions (see conditions

from highly specialised sources within my

and limitations).

field.

Locate relevant details in long texts.

Range and types of text only a minor

Understanding of details of

Few limitations – can

limitation – can read different types of text

complex texts usually only if

understand and interpret

at different speeds and in different ways

difficult sections are re-read.

practically all forms of

according to purpose and type.

Occasional use of dictionary.

written language.

Dictionary required for more specialised or

Very unusual or archaic

unfamiliar texts.

vocabulary and phrases may

be unknown but will rarely

impair understanding.

A1

A2

B1

What types

Very short pieces of

Usually short, simple

Can write a continuous,

of text I

writing: isolated words

pieces of writing. For

intelligible text in which

can write

and very short, basic

example, simple personal

elements are connected.

sentences. For example,

letters, postcards,

simple messages, notes,

messages, notes, forms.

forms and postcards.

What I can

Numbers and dates, own

Texts typically describe

Can convey simple

write

name, nationality,

immediate needs, personal

information to friends,

address, and other

events, familiar places,

service people, etc. who

personal details required

hobbies, work, etc.

feature in everyday life. Can

to fill in simple forms

Texts typically consist of

get straightforward points

when travelling.

short, basic sentences.

across comprehensively.

Short, simple sentences

Can use the most frequent

Can give news, express

linked with connectors

connectors (e.g. and, but,

thoughts about abstract or

such as ‘and’ or ‘then’.

because) to link sentences

cultural topics such as films,

in order to write a story or

music, etc.

to describe something as a

Can describe experiences,

list of points.

feelings and events in some

detail.

Conditions

Apart from the most

Only on familiar and

Range of texts can be limited

and

common words and

routine matters.

to more familiar and common

limitations

expressions, the writer

Writing continuous

ones, such as describing

needs to consult a

coherent text is difficult.

things and writing about

dictionary.

sequences of actions; but

argumention and contrasting

issues, for example, are

difficult.

Appendix C: The DIALANG scales

B2

C1

C2

Can write a variety of different

Can write a variety of different

Can write a variety of different

texts.

texts.

texts.

Can express oneself with

Can convey finer shades of

clarity and precision, using

meaning precisely.

language flexibly and

Can write persuasively.

effectively.

Can express news and views

Can produce clear, smoothly

Can create coherent and

effectively, and relate to those of

flowing, well-structured

cohesive text making full and

others.

writing, showing controlled

appropriate use of a variety of

Can use a variety of linking words

use of organisational patterns,

organisational patterns and a

to mark clearly the relationships

connectors and cohesive

wide range of cohesive devices.

between ideas.

devices.

Writing is free of spelling

Spelling and punctuation are

Can qualify opinions and

errors.

reasonably accurate.

statements precisely in

relation to degrees of, for

example, certainty/uncertainty,

belief/doubt, likelihood.

Layout, paragraphing and

punctuation are consistent and

helpful.

Spelling is accurate apart from

occasional slips.

Expressing subtle nuances in

Expressing subtle nuances in

No need to consult a

taking a stance or in telling about

taking a stance or in telling

dictionary, except for

feelings and experiences is usually

about feelings and experiences

occasional specialist terms in

difficult.

can be difficult.

an unfamiliar area.

A1

A2

B1

What types

Very simple phrases

Simple phrases and

Speech on familiar matters

of text I

about myself, people I

expressions about things

and factual information.

understand

know and things around

important to me.

Everyday conversations and

me.

Simple, everyday

discussions.

Questions, instructions

conversations and

Programmes in the media and

and directions.

discussions.

films.

Examples: everyday

Everyday matters in the

Examples: operation

expressions, questions,

media.

instructions, short lectures

instructions, short and

Examples: messages,

and talks.

simple directions.

routine exchanges,

directions, TV and radio

news items.

What I

Names and simple words.

Common everyday

The meaning of some

understand

General idea.

language.

unknown words, by guessing.

Enough to respond:

Simple, everyday

General meaning and specific

providing personal info,

conversations and

details.

following directions.

discussions.

The main point.

Enough to follow.

Conditions

Clear, slow and carefully

Clear and slow speech.

Clear, standard speech.

and

articulated speech.

Will require the help of

Will require the help of

limitations

When addressed by a

sympathetic speakers

visuals and action.

sympathetic speaker.

and/or images.

Will sometimes ask for

Will sometimes ask for

repetition of a word or

repetition or

phrase.

reformulation.

Appendix C: The DIALANG scales

B2

C1

C2

All kinds of speech on familiar

Spoken language in general.

Any spoken language, live or

matters.

Lectures, discussions and

broadcast.

Lectures.

debates.

Specialised lectures and

Programmes in the media and

Public announcements.

presentations.

films.

Complex technical

Examples: technical discussions,

information.

reports, live interviews.

Recorded audio material and

films.

Examples: native-speaker

conversations.

Main ideas and specific

Enough to participate actively

Global and detailed

information.

in conversations.

understanding without any

Complex ideas and language.

Abstract and complex topics.

difficulties.

Speaker’s viewpoints and

Implicit attitudes and

attitudes.

relationships between

speakers.

Standard language and some

Need to confirm occasional

None, provided there is time to

idiomatic usage, even in

details when the accent is

get used to what is unfamiliar.

reasonably noisy backgrounds.

unfamiliar.