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.