Spoken Interaction

  • I can take an active part in conversation, expressing clearly my points of view, ideas or feelings naturally with effective turn-taking.
  • I can evaluate advantages & disadvantages, and participate in reaching a decision in formal or informal discussion.
  • I can sustain my opinions in discussion by providing relevant explanations, arguments and comments.
  • I can use the telephone to find out detailed information, provided the other person speaks clearly, and ask follow up questions to check that I have understood a point fully.

LISTENING

  • I can understand the main ideas of complex speech on concrete and abstract topics delivered in a standard dialect, including technical discussions in my field of specialisation.
  • I can understand in detail what is said to me in standard spoken language.
  • I can with some effort catch much of what is said around me, but may find it difficult to understand a discussion between several speakers who do not modify their language in any way.
  • I can follow TV drama and the majority of films in standard dialect.
  • I can understand TV news, current affairs, documentaries, interviews, talk shows, etc.

WRITING

  • I can write at length about topical issues, even though complex concepts may be oversimplified, and can correct many of my mistakes in the process.
  • I can write clear, detailed descriptions on a variety of subjects related to my field of interest.
  • I can express news, views and feelings in correspondence, and respond to those of the other person.
  • I can write standard formal letters requesting or communicating relevant information, following a template.

Spoken PRODUCTION

  • I can give clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to my fields of interest.
  • I can develop a clear argument, linking my ideas logically and expanding and supporting my points with appropriate examples.
  • I can present a topical issue in a critical manner and weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
  • I can summarise information and arguments from a number of sources, such as articles or reports, discussions, interviews, presentations, etc.
  • I can summarise orally the plot and sequence of events in a film or play.

READING

  • I can read with a large degree of independence, using dictionaries and other reference sources selectively when necessary.
  • I can understand articles, reports and reviews in which the writers express specific points of view (e.g., political commentary, critiques of exhibitions, plays, films, etc).
  • I can rapidly grasp the content and the significance of news, articles and reports on topics connected with my interests or my job, and decide if a closer reading is worthwhile.
  • I can understand the main points in formal and informal letters relating to my personal and professional interests, with occasional use of a dictionary.

STRATEGIES

  • I can use standard phrases like “That’s a difficult question to answer” to gain time and keep the turn while formulating what to say.
  • I can help a discussion along on familiar ground confirming comprehension, inviting others in, etc.
  • I can generally correct slips and errors if I become aware of them or if they have led to misunderstandings.
  • I can make a note of “favourite mistakes” and consciously monitor speech for them.

GRAMMAR

  • Adjectives and adverbs
  • Future continuous
  • Future perfect
  • Future perfect continuous
  • Mixed conditionals
  • Modals - can’t have, needn’t have
  • Modals of deduction and speculation
  • Narrative tenses
  • Passives
  • Past perfect
  • Past perfect continuous
  • Phrasal verbs, extended
  • Relative clauses
  • Reported speech
  • Will and going to, for prediction
  • Wish
  • Would expressing habits, in the past

VOCABULARG

  • Collocation
  • Colloquial language