English Language Proficiency Levels

ENTERING:

Limited communication in English
Limited or no receptive or expressive vocabulary
Only isolated words and expressions produced
Limited or no understanding of English structure
Limited or no understanding of English phonology
Little or no experience with reading of visual symbols (depends on age group)
Only operates in the concrete
Unable to understand standardized tests

BEGINNING:

Limited ability to communicate in English
Limited receptive or expressive vocabulary
Use of some phrases
Incoherent sentences produced
Little understanding of English structure & sound system
Little experience with reading of visual symbols
Understands concrete concepts
Understands about 25% of standardized tests

DEVELOPING:

Some communicative abilities in English
Some receptive and expressive vocabulary
Some complete sentences with errors
Some understanding of the English structure & sound system
Some experience with reading visual symbols
Standardized test scores are below grade level

EXPANDING:

Similar native communicative abilities in English
Some receptive and expressive vocabulary
Some complete sentences with errors
Good understanding of the English structure & sound system
Some experience with reading visual symbols
Understand concrete concepts and at times understands abstract ideas
Standardized test scores are below grade level

BRIDGING:

Almost native-like communicative abilities in English
Developing receptive and expressive vocabulary
Complete sentences for developmental age
Good Understanding of English structure
Occasional errors
Well-produced phonetic sounds
Advanced Decoding skills
Well-developed literal comprehension skills
Understands concrete and abstract concepts
Mostly operates in the abstract
Standardized tests still below grade level, but closer than that of Intermediate

COMMON ACRONYMS

Related to ESL Programs & Students:

BICS = Basic Interpersonal Communications Skills
CALP = Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency
ELL = English Language Learner
ELD = English Language Development
ESL = English as a Second Language
ESOL= English to Speakers of Other Languages
LEP = Limited English Proficiency
CLD = Culturally & Linguistically Diverse
HLS = Home Language Survey
NES = Non-English Speaker
FES = Fluent English Speaker
LES = Limited English Speaker
TESOL = Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
LIEP = Language Instruction Educational Program