Rate Yourself:
Beginning Language Learner

In each category below, use the Goals section to identify your broad needs and the Self-Test section to identify specific near-term objectives. Then, regularly rate yourself against the items in the Self-Test for that section. Be sure to keep the “cluster” idea in mind as you do your self-test. That is, just knowing how to say “hello” and “goodbye” is not enough to pass out of beginning language Level 2. You should be able to muster a variation or two, such as “hi,” “howdy,” or “what’s up,” plus “so long,” “see ya later,” or “bye-bye.” With your mentor, identify the most appropriate skills, such as greetings and leave-takings, for your goals.

Beginner Level 1

GOALS

Able to respond to or speak a few isolated words – those borrowed from English, or commonly used, e.g., gracias, ciao, etc.

Have identified myself as a beginning language learner.

SELF-TEST

• I can say "hello" and "goodbye."
• I can count to ten.
• I can use courtesy words such as "Thank you" and "Excuse me."
• I know a handful of words.
• I am eager to begin learning my target language.
• I have set some goals for my language learning.

Beginner Level 2

GOALS

Able to recognize and express very simple needs in polite language. Use mostly memorized words and phrases. Able to say short phrases if given time to think about what I want to say.

Able to recite a nursery rhyme or sing a simple song.

I recognize that I speak in a heavy accent with many errors and confuse sounds that are similar, and that my speech is difficult to understand, even to teachers used to working with beginning language students.

SELF-TEST

• I can respond to simple commands such as "Stand up" and "Come here."
• I can greet people and take my leave correctly, such as “How are you” and “I must go.”
• I can ask basic questions, using who, what, when, and where.
• I can make simple statements and commands such as "It's hot" and "Turn on the light."
• I can make simple requests and appropriate thank-yous.
• I can use at least fifty words in appropriate contexts.
• I can sing one verse of a folk song or popular sing-along tune.
• I have to work hard to make many of the new sounds, and I often have to pause to find words that express my thoughts.
• I frequently use circumlocution, that is, I choose words close to my intended meaning because I don’t know the correct word I want. For example, I say “my father’s brother’s daughter” instead of “cousin.”
• I find it difficult to catch even words I know, when they are mixed with normal speech by my instructors.
• People often ask me to repeat myself; some don’t seem to realize I am speaking their language.
• I can perform at least one task at the Beginner – high level.

Beginner Level 3

GOALS

Able to ask questions and make simple statements based on memorized sentences. Understand conversation fragments and simple commands.

Able to deal with simple topics of daily need though I speak mostly in short, direct sentences. I can say some longer phrases and sentences if given time to think about them first.

Though I still make frequent errors in pronunciation and word use, and frequently ask speakers to slow down or repeat, I can communicate with close acquaintances (e.g., host family or co-workers). Behave considerately in dealing with host country nationals. Understand some nonverbal cues.

SELF-TEST

• I can initiate and close conversations appropriately.
• I understand and can make simple statements or ask simple questions about family, age, address, weather, daily activities, time, date, and day of the week.
• I understand some words when the context helps explain them, e.g., in a cafe, the marketplace.
• My vocabulary includes names of basic concepts: days, months, numbers to 1-100, articles of clothing, body parts, and family relationships.
• I can use at least one hundred nouns and verbs in appropriate contexts.
• I still find it difficult to understand native speakers (in spite of my growing vocabulary).
• I often have to repeat myself, particularly when I’m with new acquaintances or strangers.
• I am beginning to know what's expected of me in simple social situations.
• I can perform at least two tasks at the intermediate – low level.