Document D2 ALTE social and tourist statements summary

ALTE Level

Listening/Speaking

Reading

Writing

ALTE Level 5

CAN talk about complex or sensitive

CAN (when looking for accommodation)

CAN write letters on any subject with

issues without awkwardness.

understand a tenancy agreement in

good expression and accuracy.

detail, for example technical details and

the main legal implications.

ALTE Level 4

CAN keep up conversations of a casual

CAN understand complex opinions/

CAN write letters on most subjects. Such

nature for an extended period of time

arguments as expressed in serious

difficulties as the reader may experience

and discuss abstract/cultural topics with

newspapers.

are likely to be at the level of vocabulary.

a good degree of fluency and range of

expression.

ALTE Level 3

CAN keep up a conversation on a fairly

CAN understand detailed information,

CAN write to a hotel to ask about the

wide range of topics, such as personal

for example a wide range of culinary

availability of services, for example

and professional experiences, events

terms on a restaurant menu, and terms

facilities for the disabled or the provision

currently in the news.

and abbreviations in accommodation

of a special diet.

advertisements.

ALTE Level 2

CAN express opinions on abstract/

CAN understand factual articles in

CAN write letters on a limited range of

cultural matters in a limited way and

newspapers, routine letters from hotels

predictable topics related to personal

pick up nuances of meaning/opinion.

and letters expressing personal opinions.

experience and express opinions in

predictable language.

ALTE Level 1

CAN express likes and dislikes in

CAN understand straightforward

CAN complete most forms related to

familiar contexts using simple language

information, for example labels on food,

personal information.

such as ‘I (don’t) like . . .’

standard menus, road signs and

messages on automatic cash machines.

ALTE Break-

CAN ask simple questions of a factual

CAN understand simple notices and

CAN leave a very simple message for a

through Level

nature and understand answers

information, for example in airports,

host family or write short simple ‘thank

expressed in simple language.

on store guides and on menus.

you’ notes.

CAN understand simple instructions on

medicines and simple directions to

places.

ALTE Level

Listening/Speaking

Reading

Writing

ALTE Level 5

CAN advise on/handle complex delicate

CAN understand reports and articles

CAN make full and accurate notes and

or contentious issues, such as legal or

likely to be encountered during his/her

continue to participate in a meeting or

financial matters, to the extent that

work, including complex ideas

seminar.

he/she has the necessary specialist

expressed in complex language.

knowledge.

ALTE Level 4

CAN contribute effectively to meetings

CAN understand correspondence

CAN handle a wide range of routine and

and seminars within own area of work

expressed in non-standard language.

non-routine situations in which

and argue for or against a case.

professional services are requested from

colleagues or external contacts.

ALTE Level 3

CAN take and pass on most messages

CAN understand most correspondence,

CAN deal with all routine requests for

that are likely to require attention

reports and factual product literature

goods or services.

during a normal working day.

he/she is likely to come across.

ALTE Level 2

CAN offer advice to clients within own

CAN understand the general meaning

CAN make reasonably accurate notes at a

job area on simple matters.

of non-routine letters and theoretical

meeting or seminar where the subject

articles within own work area.

matter is familiar and predictable.

ALTE Level 1

CAN state simple requirements within

CAN understand most short reports or

CAN write a short, comprehensible note

own job area, such as ‘I want to order

manuals of a predictable nature within

of request to a colleague or a known

25 of . . .’

his/her own area of expertise, provided

contact in another company.

enough time is given.

ALTE Break-

CAN take and pass on simple messages

CAN understand short reports or

CAN write a simple routine request to a

through Level

of a routine kind, such as ‘Friday

product descriptions on familiar

colleague, such as ‘Can I have 20X

meeting 10 a.m.’

matters, if these are expressed in simple

please?’

language and the contents are

predictable.