Texas Adult Education Standards and Benchmarks
for ABE ASE and ESL Learners

Implementation Guide
Version 1.1
June 2008

Section 3

Examples of Proficient Performance
Standard: Speak So Others Can Understand for ESL

Determine the purpose for communicating.
Organize and relay information to effectively serve the purpose, context, and listener.
Pay attention to conventions of oral English communication, including grammar, word choice, register, pace, and gesture in order to minimize barriers to listener’s comprehension.
Use multiple strategies to monitor the effectiveness of the communication.

NRS Educational Functioning Level - Speak So Others Can Understand for ESL

NRS Educational Functioning Level http://www.nrsweb.org/	Adults performing at this level can accomplish a variety of goals, such as…
Level 1 Beginning Literacy ESL	Spelling name and address. Calling out for help. Using basic greetings, farewells, and polite expressions.
Level 2 Low Beginning ESL	Asking the price of an item in the store. Answering some Wh- questions. Producing some simple commands (look, be careful).
Level 3 High Beginning ESL	Asking for directions to the post office. Asking for clarification of a doctor’s appointment time. Pronouncing letters with similar sounds (g/j – e/I, b/v, b/p, t/d).
Level 4 Low Intermediate ESL	Participating in a basic job interview. Giving a short biographical statement using common grammar tenses (present, past, future). Producing speech at a normal rate of speed.
Level 5 High Intermediate ESL	Reporting an on-the-job problem to a supervisor. Expressing and defending opinions. Using formal and informal speech appropriately.
Level 6 Advanced ESL	Giving clear instructions on how to prepare a favorite recipe. Summarizing the highlights of a staff meeting and report to others. Holding conversations with native English speakers.

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