Speaking

​

• Can give logical, clearly structured and detailed descriptions on complex subjects.

• Can integrate sub-themes, develop particular points and round off with an appropriate conclusion which integrates personal opinions and research.

• Can initiate and lead informal and formal discussions and explain and defend opinions using evidence from multiple sources.

• Can demonstrate satisfactory grammatical control with non-systematic errors and minor flaws in sentence structure.

• Can consistently vary intonation and place sentence stress correctly to express finer shades of meaning.

• Can present with minimal need for/reference.

 

Writing

​

• Can develop and produce a 7-10 page independent research paper that synthesizes multiple sources for a variety of disciplines. Can write essays which answer the question clearly.

  • Clear, well-structured expositions of complex subjects underlining relevant, salient issues.

  • Expand and support points of view at some length.

• Can develop ideas to explain, analyze, synthesize, construct and expand upon personal observations and ideas.  

• Can independently use and synthesize a range of sources from a variety of disciplines to support and develop their thesis.  

• Can consistently use quality evidence and detailed descriptions to support an argument:

• Can paraphrase, analyze, summarize, express original ideas that are new, independent, and are engaging.

• Can demonstrate a good degree of  grammatical control of items at this  level with minor errors that do not obscure meaning.

• Can convey complex ideas through accurate and appropriate use of a range of vocabulary and idiomatic  phrasing with correct form and meaning.

• Can accurately format and use correct punctuation consistently.

• Can spell a wide range of vocabulary accurately except for minor errors.

 

Listening

​

• Can understand college lectures on abstract and complex topics beyond his/her own field though he/she may need to confirm occasional details, especially if the accent is unfamiliar.

• Can listen for content words.  

• Can activate prior knowledge to understand information.  

• Can self-monitor for understanding.  

• Can identify points of view & purpose.  

• Can recognize and interpret tone (a range of idiomatic expressions, irony, and sarcasm).

• Can take detailed notes during a lecture, recording the information accurately and close enough to the original that others can  use the notes to determine the main ideas and details.

 

Reading

​

• Can understand in detail lengthy, linguistically complex texts, whether or not they relate to his/her own area of specialty, provided he/she can reread difficult sections.

• Can understand the use of paraphrasing and complex metaphors.

• Can preview/predict and skim/scan for a wide range of content from a variety of different text types and lengths in order to find key information or draw conclusions.

• Can evaluate the quality, appropriateness, and reliability of texts for in-depth research tasks.

• Can independently draw connections within and between multiple texts across various genres or subjects.

• Can infer meaning and follow abstract argumentation to extract information and understand a text more deeply.

• Can identify and analyze the purpose and tone of a text, including humor and irony.

• Can take notes while reading using a variety of annotation strategies.

• Can use context and a variety of reference sources to understand a broad range of academic and field-specific vocabulary, idiomatic or figurative language, and colloquialisms.

• Can identify subtle vocabulary shifts based on genre and register differences.