Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

SPL 0/1Level 1 -- At the conclusion of level 1, students will be able to: Express personal information Answer basic questions and ask for clarification Follow simple directions Read and write numbers, words and short phrases needed in daily life

SPL 2Level 2 -- At the conclusion of level 2, students will be able to: Communicate using simple vocabulary in routine situations Read and understand simplified material on familiar topics Write basic ideas and information on forms, or in simple sentences

SPL 3Level 3 -- At the conclusion of level 3, students will be able to: Participate in dialogues on familiar topics Read and interpret simple authentic materials Communicate basic ideas and information in paragraph form Perform simple tasks using technology

SPL 4Level 4 -- At the conclusion of level 4, students will be able to: Initiate and participate in discussions involving common problems Read, interpret and summarize authentic materials Compose simple narrative descriptions and short essays on familiar topics Perform basic computer functions and follow simple instructions

SPL 5Level 5 -- At the conclusion of level 5, students will be able to: Recognize and interpret non-verbal cues and identify values and beliefs in different cultural contexts Access, analyze and organize information to form opinions and solve problems Use basic computer applications

SPL 6Level 6 -- At the conclusion of level 6, students will be able to: Demonstrate the discussion skills of clarification, paraphrasing and summarizing Identify, prioritize and express personal goals Participate in the English speaking community to obtain information and meet personal needs Learn new computer applications and apply these skills to personal needs

Level 1 Oral Communication Name all letters of the alphabet Speak words and short phrases to be understood, using basic grammar in context (Introductions, giving personal information) Answer simple y/n and -wh questions, using basic grammar and comprehensible pronunciation Ask for clarification by asking speaker to repeat and give clarification when necessary Follow simple oral directions Reading Use basic phonics skills to sound out words Recognize and understand common sight words Recognize words from personal information forms Recognize common signs and symbols Written Communication Write numbers, including phone, SSN, birth date and address Write letters, distinguishing between upper and lower case Write sight words and short phrases using basic grammar in context Fill out forms with personal information

Level 2 Oral Communication Speak to be understood using comprehensible pronunciation and basic grammar and vocabulary in context of everyday situations (health care, shopping, transportation etc.) Recognize common social phrases such as 'thank you', 'see you tomorrow', 'have a nice day' and 'excuse me'. Ask and answer both y/n and -wh questions using comprehensible grammar and pronunciation Ask for and give clarification Follow oral directions Reading Read and understand simple sentences and questions Read simple maps Recognize different written formats (want ads, sale ads, menus, schedules, calendars) Manage basic reading tasks related to life roles (telling time, currency) Recognize common signs and symbols Written Communication Write information in blanks on forms (eg: job applications, simple medical history forms, bank forms, postal forms, forms from child's school) Write simple sentences and notes using a model Use correct format when writing notes

Level 3 Oral Communication Speak to be understood using comprehensible pronunciation, basic grammar and vocabulary in varied contexts Ask for and give clarification Follow multiple oral directions Give simple directions Use simple learned questions and phrases to meet survival needs Reading Use some basic reading strategies (skim, scan, guessing from context, prediction, picture cues) to understand simplified authentic texts Recognize and interpret different written formats (charts, graphs, labels, payroll stubs) Follow basic written instructions and diagrams Written Communication Write a single comprehensible paragraph, using simple sentence structure and punctuation, and with some control over basic grammar Perform basic writing tasks related to life roles (notes to teachers, shopping lists, phone messages etc.) Technology Identify and use basic computer hardware, including mouse and keyboard Perform basic functions such as, turning the computer on and off, using the mouse to control the cursor, starting a program by double clicking on an icon Respond to simple telephone answering systems

Level 4 Oral Communication Describe problems and possible solutions using accurate grammar Participate in conversations on routine subjects such as: the weather, food, shopping, family, health, transportation Ask and respond to questions Ask for and give clarification Give and follow multiple directions Reading Use reading strategies (skim, scan, paraphrase, prediction, guessing from context) to read authentic materials on familiar topics Follow written instructions and interpret visual aids, tables and charts Written Communication Write a clear paragraph including: a good topic sentence, supporting details and accurate grammar Write simple narrative descriptions and short essays on familiar topics using appropriate vocabulary, correct spelling, standard format and organization, and comprehensible grammar and punctuation Use reference materials to check accuracy of spelling and vocabulary Technology Use e-mail to communicate with others Become familiar with Internet vocabulary Access websites of interest

Level 5 Oral Communication Ask for clarification, paraphrase and summarize during group discussion Present ideas and opinions using comprehensible pronunciation, language structures and grammar Express personal values and judgments Clarify meaning using a variety of strategies Reading Develop and use reading strategies such as: identifying the main idea, skimming, scanning, inferring, paraphrasing, predicting, using context, background knowledge, and picture cues to understand authentic materials Comprehend, explain and analyze a variety of authentic materials related to life skills Written Communication Write an organized essay demonstrating standard format and a richness of expression and vocabulary Define personal or family goals in writing Develop editing and proofreading strategies Use reference materials to check accuracy of spelling and vocabulary Technology Use the Internet to practice English language skills Access, use and research resources through the Internet using a search engine Respond to authentic telephone menu systems

Level 6 Oral Communication Present ideas and opinions to others using comprehensible pronunciation, structure and grammar Ask for information on a variety of topics in the context of life roles Use active listening strategies to listen for meaning in conversations, stories, telephone recordings etc Clarify meaning using a variety of strategies Reading Develop and use reading strategies such as: identifying the main idea, skimming, scanning, inferring, paraphrasing, predicting, using context, background knowledge, and picture cues with authentic materials Read a variety of authentic materials (library reference materials, newspaper articles, brochures etc) Written Communication Write an organized and cohesive 3-4 paragraph essay including an introduction, supporting ideas, good transitions and conclusion Communicate personal opinion in writing Develop editing and proofreading strategies Use reference materials to check accuracy of spelling and vocabulary Technology Use educational software or online language exercises Create, edit, save, print and close a simple text document.

Level 1 Performance tasks used at this level may include: Communicating personal information orally, clarifying meaning by spelling or repeating Indicating lack of understanding by asking speakers to repeat Completing a simple form with basic personal information Answering yes/no and -wh questions on familiar topics Demonstrating understanding of simple directions by correctly carrying out commands Writing numbers from dictation Reading and writing common sight words and phrases Decoding and spelling words using basic phonics skills Progress is measured by standardized tests, like CASAS or BEST, or other state approved assessment tools

Level 2 Performance tasks used at this level may include: Appropriately using common social phrases Asking and answering simple yes/no and -wh questions Describing objects, places and people with simple vocabulary Reading simplified material and answering comprehension questions Reading simplified material and demonstrating understanding through matching or sequencing Filling out simple forms Composing short messages on familiar topics using comprehensible punctuation and grammar Progress is measured by standardized tests, like CASAS or BEST, or other state approved assessment tools.

Level 3Performance tasks used at this level may include: Role playing dialogues related to life roles Reading simplified authentic materials and answering comprehension questions Writing simple notes in real life contexts Writing an autobiographical paragraph Leaving a message on a telephone answering machine Identifying and using basic parts of a computer

Level 4Performance tasks used at this level may include: Explaining and demonstrating two or three differences in non-verbal communication between the student's own culture and US cultures Analyzing and discussing at least two values and/or beliefs underlying people's actions and words in a scenario involving cultural difference Using at least three resources (community resources, Internet, library, newspapers) to gather information on a topic of personal choice Based on previously done research, presenting orally or in writing an argument supporting an opinion or a solution to a problem Based on previously done research, writing an essay of at least four paragraphs in length Identifying and describing at least three common computer applications Producing a document using a common computer application

Level 5 Performance tasks used at this level may include: Identifying an issue or problem, generating and role playing possible solutions Reading and understanding multi-step instructions and explaining the procedure to another person Describing from experience the process involved in attaining a personal or family goal Writing a short essay on a familiar topic Given a URL, accessing a website and answering comprehension questions about the site Sending and receiving e-mail messages

Level 6 Performance tasks used at this level may include: Using multiple strategies in asking for and giving clarification, paraphrasing using alternate vocabulary, and summarizing the main ideas in a discussion Brainstorming then refining at least 3 personal or family goals that can be achieved in the next two years Prioritizing goals, presenting them, and discussing the support needed to achieve them Identifying an area in community life of personal interest. Choosing one community activity to participate in, writing a summary of the experience including feelings/reactions Listening to a telephone menu and appropriately following directions Using a search engine to find at least three sources of information on a topic of personal choice

Content at Level 1: Themes: Communication in roles as worker, community member, and family member, cultural awareness, lifelong learning Concepts: Culture, communicative competence, English writing system: left/right - top/down orientation, classroom expectations, personal responsibility Issues: Role-balancing, cultural adjustment, self-confidence, listening comprehension, pronunciation, literacy

Content at Level 2: Themes: Communication in roles as worker, community member, and family member, cultural awareness, lifelong learning Concepts: Culture, communicative competence, grammatical competence, classroom expectations, personal responsibility Issues: Role-balancing, cultural adjustment, self-confidence, communication, listening comprehension, pronunciation, literacy, grammar, reading comprehension

Content at Level 3: Themes: Communication in roles as worker, community member, and family member, cultural awareness, lifelong learning Concepts: Culture, communicative competence, grammatical competence, problem solving, technology empowerment, personal responsibility, personal expression Issues: Role-balancing, cultural adjustment, self-confidence, communication, listening comprehension, pronunciation, grammar, reading comprehension, parenting, technology

Content at Level 4: Themes: Communication in roles as worker, community member, and family member, cultural awareness, lifelong learning Concepts: Culture, communicative competence, grammatical competence, problem solving, English speaking community, technology empowerment, self-evaluation, goal setting, critical thinking, personal responsibility, personal expression Issues: Role-balancing, cultural adjustment, self-confidence, technology, communication, grammar, reading comprehension, goal setting, employment, parenting

Content at Level 5: Themes: Communication in roles as worker, community member, and family member, cultural awareness, lifelong learning Concepts: Culture, communicative competence, grammatical competence, problem solving, English speaking community, technology empowerment, self-evaluation, goal setting, critical thinking, personal responsibility, personal expression, research Issues: Role-balancing, cultural adjustment, technology, fluency, personal advocacy, goal setting, employment, parenting

Content at Level 6: Themes: Communication in roles as worker, community member, and family member, cultural awareness, lifelong learning Concepts: Culture, communicative competence, grammatical competence, problem solving, English speaking community, technology empowerment, self-evaluation, goal setting, critical thinking, personal responsibility, personal expression, research, advocacy Issues: Role-balancing, cultural adjustment, technology, fluency, personal advocacy, goal setting, employment, parenting, community participation