
English for Speakers of Other Languages
Beginner/Early Intermediate: What to Expect
Listening
- Understands common social vocabulary, single words, or words that sound like words from their native language
- Understands simple words or expressions, questions and statements
- Understands speech that is spoken at a slower rate and will require that you rephrase and repeat what you are saying
- May have to pause for a while after you speak to process what you have said and be able to respond
- A beginner is able to write some letters in the alphabet (not all English Language Learners have the same alphabet that we do)
- The beginner can copy what someone else has already written and even remember a few words or phrases from memory
- Can take some memorized vocabulary or phrases and recombines it to make new phrases
- Writes name, date, where they were born and other autobiographical information
- Writes all the letters in the alphabet
- Spelling makes some sense and is somewhat correct
- A beginner is able to read single words and/or some phrases that are strongly supported by pictures or context.
- He or she can recognize and understand common words or phrases and words that are the same or similar to words from native language.
- Students can read learned vocabulary around specific tasks like a menu, schedule, maps or signs.
- Students can read material that is slightly more difficult that what would be expected if it is supported or has been previously taught.
- Student can use previously learned phrases around learned topics to communicate minimally
- Vocabulary works for expressing needs and some basic courtesies such as: hello, how are you, I’m fine, good to see you, etc.
- It is common at the beginning for a beginner to use only two to three words.
- A beginner often has long pauses and use the same words as the person with whom they are talking.
- A beginner communicates mostly through learned phrases
- Sometimes it seems that their language is spontaneous; however one soon realizes that a beginner isn’t yet able to precisely express their thoughts and is able to speak in general terms, but unable to be personal.
- Vocabulary is very basic and has little description.
- A strong accent may be present.