English Language Proficiency Levels

Alignment to Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
ELPA21 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
WIDA Entering Emerging Developing Expanding Bridging *
TESOL Starting Emerging Developing Expanding Bridging
California Emerging Expanding Bridging
New York State Entering Emerging Transitioning Expanding Commanding
Texas Beginning Intermediate Advanced Advanced High
Arizona Pre-Emergent Emergent Basic Low Intermediate High Intermediate *
Connecticut Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5

* WIDA and Arizona have a 6th category called Reaching or Proficient. This category is not a language proficiency level, but rather a culminating stage at which a language learner is able to access grade-level academic content without language support.


Learning A-Z ELL Edition Proficiency Level Descriptors

Level 1

  • Ability to use and understand single words and/or chunks in oral discourse.
  • Ability to use and understand simple, memorized written English with visual support.
  • Ability to use most common vocabulary.

Level 2

  • Ability to use and understand phrases and short sentences in oral discourse.
  • Ability to use and understand simple written English with instructional support, but errors often impede meaning.
  • Ability to use high-frequency vocabulary.

Level 3

  • Ability to use and understand a series of related sentences in oral discourse.
  • Ability to use and understand simple written English but errors at times impede meaning.
  • Ability to use general and some specialized vocabulary.

Level 4

  • Ability to use and understand a variety of complex sentences in oral discourse.
  • Ability to use and understand written English at grade level with instructional support.
  • Ability to use some specialized and technical vocabulary.

Level 5

  • Ability to use and understand a variety of linguistically complex sentences in oral discourse.
  • Ability to use and understand written language approximate to English peers.
  • Ability to use specialized and technical vocabulary at grade level.