Can Do Statements
In order to get a sense of what your current level is, you can download Can Do Statements and use it for quick self-evaluation to showcase what you are currently able to do and help direct you to move to higher levels.
Directions: Read each Can Do Statement and note the statement(s) that best identifies your ability with that mode and domain. Download the PDF to write down your responses. You may want to write the date of this evaluation and do this again in several months to monitor growth in these areas.
Listening – Interpretive Mode
UNDERSTANDING SPOKEN LANGUAGE
| ACTFL Level | Can Do Statements |
|---|---|
| Novice-Low | I can understand only a few clearly spoken words. |
| Novice-Mid | I can understand familiar names, words, and very basic phrases concerning my family, my close surroundings, and myself when people speak slowly and clearly. |
| Novice-High | I can understand many phrases and commonly used vocabulary related to areas of personal interest (e.g., very basic personal and family information, shopping, local area, school etc.).I can understand familiar, short, clear, simple messages and announcements. |
| Intermediate-Low | I can understand very basic sentences with topics about my close surroundings like home, school and friends when the language is clear and slow. I can understand the main point in clear, simple messages and announcements. I can understand some basic questions. |
| Intermediate-Mid | I can understand some main points in a conversation on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. I can understand some main points of many radio or TV programs on current affairs or topics of high interest when spoken slowly and clearly. |
| Intermediate-High | I can understand longer presentations and discussions and follow more complex lines of argument, as long as the topic is reasonably familiar. I can understand most TV news and current affairs programs. I can understand most of the language spoken in movies and films. |
| Advanced-Low | I can understand extended speech even when it is not clearly structured and when relationships are only implied and not stated directly. I can understand television programs and films without too much effort. |
Reading – Interpretive Mode
UNDERSTANDING WRITTEN LANGUAGE
| ACTFL Level | Can Do Statements |
|---|---|
| Novice-Low | I can understand only a few very common words. |
| Novice-Mid | I can understand some familiar names, words, and very simple phrases. For example, I can read and understand some basic information found in simple notes, memos, emails and posters. |
| Novice-High | I can read very short, simple, sentence-length texts. I can find specific, predictable information in simple everyday material such as advertisements, menus, and schedules. I can understand some short, simple personal notes and email greetings. |
| Intermediate-Low | I can understand very basic strings of sentences with topics relating to my surroundings, e.g., home, school and friends. I can understand the main points in short, non-complicated emails, letters, advertisements, announcements and some short stories. |
| Intermediate-Mid | I can understand most main points in texts regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. I can understand the main points of most daily news stories and magazine articles with areas/topics where I have an interest or some experience. |
| Intermediate-High | I can read longer texts like short stories and simple novels and understand most of the main ideas. I am able to guess the meaning of many new words from context. |
| Advanced-Low | I can read articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems in which the writers state particular attitudes or viewpoints. I can understand most contemporary literary prose. I can understand specialized articles and longer technical instructions. |
Speaking – Interpersonal Mode
SPEAKING WITH ANOTHER PERSON
| ACTFL Level | Can Do Statements |
|---|---|
| Novice-Low | I can say only a few common words or set phrases, like: hello, goodbye, my name is, etc. I am also able to answer some very simple questions using memorized words or phrases. |
| Novice-Mid | I can interact in a simple way provided the other person is prepared to repeat or rephrase things at a slower rate of speech and help me formulate what I am trying to say. I can ask and answer simple questions about familiar surroundings using memorized words and some longer simple phrases. |
| Novice-High | I can communicate about routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar topics and activities. I can ask memorized and some basic original questions. I am not able to understand enough to keep the conversation going beyond basic memorized exchanges. |
| Intermediate-Low | I can communicate in some unstructured exchanges of information on familiar topics and activities. I can interact in short social exchanges and keep the conversation going by asking and responding to basic questions. I can ask some follow-up questions to keep the conversation going. |
| Intermediate-Mid | I can deal with most situations likely to arise when traveling in an area where the language is spoken. I can enter unprepared into conversations on topics that are very familiar, of personal interest, or pertinent to everyday life (e.g. family, school, hobbies, work, travel and current events). I can ask detailed follow-up questions and probe more deeply into information shared in the conversation. |
| Intermediate-High | I can communicate with an increasing degree of fluency that makes regular interaction with native speakers possible even though I still need some help formulating more complex thoughts. I can use language that I know to express ideas and vocabulary unfamiliar to me (circumlocution). I can take an active part in discussions in familiar contexts and ask more sophisticated questions across multiple time frames. |
| Advanced-Low | I can express myself fluently and spontaneously and exchange detailed information without much difficulty. I can use language flexibly and effectively for most social and academic purposes. I can formulate ideas/opinions and express those skillfully to other speakers/conversation partners providing clear explanations, comparisons and can negotiate some unexpected complications. |
Speaking – Presentational Mode
SPEAKING TO ANOTHER PERSON OR AUDIENCE
| ACTFL Level | Can Do Statements |
|---|---|
| Novice-Low | I can say only a few memorized, common words or set phrases. |
| Novice-Mid | I can use simple words and phrases to describe myself, where I live and other basic language about my close surroundings. |
| Novice-High | I can use a series of learned phrases and basic sentences to describe my family and other people, my close surroundings and general weather conditions. I am also able to state simple likes and interests associated with food, beverages, and some basic activities. |
| Intermediate-Low | I can use a series of basic sentences to describe themes and topics connected with my daily life experience. I am also able to formulate more extended questions and use more details in my language. |
| Intermediate-Mid | I can connect sentences in a simple way in order to describe experiences and events, including my dreams and hopes. I can give short, basic reasons and explanations. I can narrate a short story, relate the plot of a short story or summarize a simple story/event. |
| Intermediate-High | I can present clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects. I can describe a process regarding a topic or event that I am very familiar with and include extended details. I can link main ideas together using basic transition or linking words/phrases. |
| Advanced-Low | I can present clear, detailed descriptions of complex subjects integrating sub-themes. I can present a clear, smoothly flowing description or argument in a style appropriate to the context. I can develop detailed, critical points and expound on those ideas. I can formulate appropriate conclusions and produce paragraph length responses across major time frames. |
Writing – Presentational Mode
WRITING TO ANOTHER PERSON OR AUDIENCE
| ACTFL Level | Can Do Statements |
|---|---|
| Novice-Low | I can write only a few common words or set phrases or copy a few characters. |
| Novice-Mid | I can write a few short, simple phrases. I can fill in forms with personal details, (e.g., entering my name, nationality and address on a hotel registration form.) I can write a few common characters in a character-based language. |
| Novice-High | I can write a few short and simple sentences about things familiar to me. These sentences have little or no added detail and follow very formulaic structures. Spelling and grammar errors may occur often. I can write several frequently used characters in a character-based language. |
| Intermediate-Low | I can write a series of basic sentences to describe themes and topics connected with my every-day life experience. I can formulate more extended questions and use more details. Errors in spelling and usage are common in my writing. I can write many characters in a character-based language, using keyboard input skills to assist in the writing process. |
| Intermediate-Mid | I can connect sentences in a simple way in order to describe experiences and events in my daily life at home, school and in my community. I can give basic reasons, added details and explanations in my writing. Character-based languages can accomplish the same tasks, using keyboard input processes to assist in completing the task. |
| Intermediate-High | I can write clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects related to my interests. I can write a basic single paragraph essay or report that conveys information. I can write letters highlighting the personal significance of events and experiences in my life. Character-based languages can accomplish the same tasks, using keyboard input processes to assist in completing the task |
| Advanced-Low | I can express myself in clear, well-structured text, expressing points of view at some length. I can write about complex subjects in a letter, an essay or a report, underlining what I consider to be the key issues. I can select a style appropriate to the reader in mind and produce paragraph length texts across major time frames. Character-based languages can accomplish the same tasks, using keyboard input processes to assist in completing the task. |
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